Charles A. Scott «Old Scrooge»: A Christmas Carol in Five Staves. / Dramatized from Charles Dickens' Celebrated Christmas Story
CHARACTERS
Frederick Merry, a nephew to Scrooge
Bob Cratchit, clerk to Scrooge
Ghost of Jacob Marley, dead seven years
Spirit of Christmas Past
Spirit of Christmas Present
Mr. Thomas Topper
Mr. Henry Snapper
Peter Cratchit
Little Cratchit
Tiny Tim
Scrooge's former self
Mr. Kemper
Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge's former master
Mr. James Badger
Dick Wilkins, Fezziwig's apprentice
Old Joe, a pawnbroker
Mr. Shroud, an undertaker
Old Baldhead, the fiddler
The Lamp Lighter
First Man
Second Man
Ignorance
The boy with the turkey
Thomas, a servant
Mrs. Belle Kemper, Scrooge's first and last love
Mrs. Frederick Merry
Mrs. Cratchit, a devoted wife
Mrs. Caroline Badger
Mrs. Mangle, a laundress
Mrs. Dilber, a char-woman
Mrs. Fezziwig, a worthy matron
Little Fanny Scrooge
Want
Six or eight children for tableaux.
By a distribution of two or three character to one person, the piece can be performed by fifteen males and nine females.
COSTUMES
Scrooge.Fred. Merry. First dress: Walking suit, overcoat, black silk hat. Black silk stock and standing collar. Side whiskers. Second dress: Dress suit.
Bob Cratchit. Long-tailed business coat of common material, much worn, and buttoned up to the neck. Woolen pants and waistcoat of check pattern. Colored scarf and standing collar. Large white comforter. Narrow-rimmed silk hat, old style and the worse for wear. Smooth face.
Ghost of Marley. Drab cut-away coat and breeches. Low-cut single-breasted vest. Ruffled shirt. White neckcloth. Drab leggings. Gray, long-haired wig, with queue. Shaggy eyebrows.
Spirit of Christmas Past. White tunic trimmed with flowers. Fleshings. Jeweled belt around waist. Long white hair hanging loose down neck and back. Jeweled star for forehead. White conical hat, very high, carried under the arm. Smooth, pale face no wrinkles. Wand of holly.
Spirit of Christmas Present. Green robe bordered with white fur. Fleshings. Trunks. Brown hose. Dark-brown curls. Holly wreath for the head.
Mumford. Overcoat. Under suit of the period 1840. Black silk hat. White neckcloth and standing collar. Gray, long-haired wig. Smooth face. Spectacles.
Barnes. Blue cloth over and under coats. Black silk hat. Black silk stock and standing collar. Iron-gray short-haired wig. Mutton-chop whiskers. Walking stick.
Topper and Snapper. Dress suits of the period 1840.
Peter Cratchit. Jacket or short coat. Very large standing collar and neckerchief.
Little Cratchit. Calico shirt. Short trousers. Shoes and stockings. Apron.
Tiny Tim. Same as Little Cratchit, with the addition of a jacket.
Scrooge's former self. First dress: Cutaway coat. Knee breeches. Second dress: Cape coat. Hessians.
Ignorance and Want. Clad in rags. Fleshings.
Old Joe. Gabardine or long-skirted coat. Shaggy wig and beard. Old smoking cap.
Mrs. Cratchit. Plain black or brown dress. Cap and apron.
Mrs. Merry, Kemper and Misses Kemper. Handsome house dresses of the period.
Misses Fezziwig. Low-necked dresses with short sleeves.
Mrs. Badger. Plain walking dress. Bonnet and shawl.
SCENERY, FURNITURE and PROPERTIES
ruler, pens, ink and paper on desk. Bob Cratchit's Desk in inner room in sight of audience. Lighted candles on both desks. Scuttle of coal near fire place. Clothes hooks on flat for Scrooge's hat and great coat. Coal shovel for Bob to enter with. Subscription list for Mumford to enter with. Clear stage of desk, chair and scuttle.
SCENE II. Scrooge's apartments 3d or 4th G. Door L. C. and window R. C. in flat, backed by a street scene. Small grate fire and mantel L. 2. Old-fashioned clock and two plaster casts on mantel. Door R. 2. Table L. C. Lighted candle, spoon, basin and writing materials on table. Saucepan of gruel on hob. Two easy chairs near fire place. Lights down. Fender at fire. Ringing bells of place. Scrooge's hat and coat hung on the wall. Chain made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, purses, etc., for ghost to enter with. Toothpick for Scrooge to show. Trap ready for ghost to disappear.
SCENE II. An old school room 3d G. Door L. C., and window R. C. in flat. Chair at window. A stuffed parrot on stand near R. 3. Two or three school desks, a platform and desk for the master; books for young Scrooge.
SCENE III. A wareroom, full depth of stage. An elevated platform, centre of flat, for the fiddler. Old-fashioned arm chair at L. 2, for Mrs Fezziwig.
SCENE IV. Plain room, 2d G. No properties.
SCENE V. Drawing room, 5th G., trimmed with evergreens. A Christmas tree, trimmed and lighted, R. U. E. Ornaments on mantel. Fireplace L. Suite of parlor furniture. Centre table C. Toys for children doll and doll's dress for Belle. Trap ready for spirit to disappear.
SCENE II. Bob Cratchit's home Plain room 4th G. Door R. and L. C., backed by kitchen flat. Dresser and crockery C. of flat. Fireplace L. U. E. Saucepan of potatoes on fire; six wooden or cane-seat chairs; a high chair for Tiny Tim. Large table C.; white table-cloth; large bowl on side table R.; three tumblers and a custard cup without a handle. Nuts, apples and oranges on dresser. Small crutch for Tiny Tim to enter with. Goose on dish for Peter to enter with.