Act 2 Scene 1

Song: Tonight

children come down aisle with electric  tea lights and go off at end of song through different exits, revealing Scrooge and Dickens

Dickens; As Scrooge strips off to long johns with hand prints on bum –then  puts on night gown and hat – gets under duvet on chair. We hear a bell ring and then we hear footsteps who can it be?– (spookie music sounds) –scrooge looks around –says ooh ahhh – covers head with duvet – bob comes on stage

Bob; sorry to disturb you again sir, but I left my scarf and its freezing outside. I did ring the bell but you didn’t hear me, goodnight sir (runs off down aisle) –

Scrooge; that bob cratchitt – he scared me to death then! If he wasn’t so cheap I’d sack him!

Dickens; as scrooge snuggles down again, the bell rings, we hear footsteps and the music starts….

Scrooge; what has he forgotten this time? I’m going to give him what for!

(he gets out of bed and goes off kitchen side, meanwhile marleys ghost comes on dons side with whoo hoo and rattling of chains)

Marley; whoo,whoo, whoo, ghostly wail and a rattle of chains….(he goes near Christmas tree etc, then he goes to back of stage…scrooge comes back on and doesn’t see him) WHOO WHOO

Scrooge; did anyone hear an owl just then?  I thought I heard a ‘twit whooo’

Audience; behind you – usual routine

Marley; whoo,whoo, whoo, ghostly wail and a rattle of chains….whoo, whoo whoo

Scrooge; don’t you whoo whoo at me like that you silly donut

Dickens ; you’re supposed to be scared!

Scrooge; what of?

Marley; whoo,whoo, whoo, ghostly wailand a rattle of chains….ME of course

Scrooge; scared of someone who’s got a few chains and a padlock? Nah – I used to be a punk rocker myself!

Marley; no you don’t get the idea – I’m a ghostly spectre – whoo,whoo – I walk through walls and vanish into thin air- er, um – whoo,whoo, whoo, ghostly wail and a rattle of chains….

Scrooge; go on then

Marley; go on what?

Scrooge; Walk through that wall

Marley; no, I don’t have to if I don’t want to

Scrooge; you can’t can you? You can’t walk through walls….you’re just a pantomime ghost

M; I am too a real ghost! Look I’ve got the costume, the chains and everything!

Scrooge; you’re no more a ghost than I am!

M; I am! Iam too! ! I could walk through that wall if I wanted to but I just don’t want to!

Scrooge; oh no you can’t

M; oh yes I can! Watch  Tries to walk thro wall bumps nose Ooh – dat urt my doze!

Scrooge; fine ghost you are!

M; I’m only a trainee on the apprentice  scheme . this is my first assignment…. I haven’t got my ‘walking through walls’ badge yet

Scrooge; it’s typical of this lot to get a learner to save money!

M; they said it would be easy and I wouldn’t have to do anyfing scary

Scrooge; who said?

M; them down there (points to floor)

Scrooge; you’ve been sent from Australia?

M; no silly! I’ve come from that placeof fire and brimstone where those doomed to an eternity of suffereing walk howling in despair

scrooge; oh you’re from Wrenthorpe then

M; have a care mr scrooge – this is not a laughing matter!

Scrooge; how do you know my name? yet come to think of it, you do look familiar

M; it’s me Ebeneezer – Jacob marley as once was!

Song: Marley

Scrooge; well I never knew you went in for that sort of thing – you know –the chains!

M; these are the chains I forged in life – every time I was nasty or horrible a new link in the chain was made! Your chain was this long 7 years ago and you must have worked very hard at being nasty cos you should see the length of it now!

Scrooge; bah humbug – I can’t see any

M; oh humbugs are my favourite sweet! But anyway, I’ve come here to give you a warning, ebeneezer. I can’t do anything about my future, but I can help you.my warning is – stop being so nasty or else!!

Scrooge; stop being nasty! that was our favourite thing, don’t you remember Jacob

SONG my favourite things Scrooge

M; well tonight, you’re going to have 3 old friends come to visit you

Scrooge; oh-ho-ho- is it like one of those bog-offers – you know, buy two and get one free?? He-he-he!!, 

 M; you were always a clever business man but that will be your doom

Scrooge; no – don’t see that…I’m a great business man and have a fortune in gold

M; there’s more to life than gold ebeneezer… things that have greater value.

Scrooge; rubbish – there’s nothing more valuable than gold! give me an example!

M;  Compassion, tolerance caring about the happiness and welfare of others.

Scrooge; but there’s no money in that!

M; kind words when they are needed are priceless Ebeneezer! An act koof kindness to another human being is worth more than any gold coins – these are the riches of life!!

Scrooge; don’t start talking mushy to me – it’ll take more than that to make me change!!

Marley;  wooo-wooo0-oh Ebeneezer, my time is finished and I must go…..i musn’t be late for the works Christmas party! Goodbye Ebeneezer – change your ways or you are (whoo, whoo) DOOMED DOOMED, DOOOOMED! (he tries to exit through walland bumps nose again)  oooh dat ert die nose again!  (goes off down aisle whoo-whooing)

Scrooge; bah humbug! I’ve been dreaming again – that what it is – all a dream! Pretend ghost and 3 visitors all in one night  -humbug! I’d better get some sleep now so I can be bright and breezy tomorrow

Snuggles down and snores.

Act 2 Scene 2

So we find that Mr Ebeneezer Scrooge is going to be visited by 3 people who knew him well…and they are going to try to change him totally and make him a nicer person! That sounds like hard work to me…I don’t know if it’s possible! Let’s continue with the story and catch up with Scrooge’s first visitor…The one who is going to remind him of his past, when he was a young man, engaged to Dame Dolly Doolittle…and working for Mr Feezwig….acroding to him, the best boss anyone could have….holf on….(music) I think I can hear them coming now (70s music) Sit on chair with cat. Be on all this half.

Act 2 Scene 3

Past: Hi guys…Cool chicks too! I’m here to talk to some dude called Benny, remind him what he’s missing…(go over to Christmas tree…routine with DD)

Sc: What’s all that noise? And at this time of night too…oh… Are you the visitor whose coming was foretold by that idiot Marley?

Cp: Yeah baby! Oh Yeah, I’m the mysterious person of mystery.

Sc: Who are you and what are you?

Cp: I am the groovy Christmasdelia memory of the Christmas past baby!

Sc: If you’re the memory of Christmas Past, then I’m Tinkerbelle!!

CP: Ding Dong!

Sc: Humbug – get on with it man…

CP: Oh wow! Lot’s of negative vibes! Let’s go benny…let’s remind you, man, of one of the wowzer Christmas’s you could’ve had if you hadn’t buried your head in the books….

Scrooge moves to the side with Past; flying routine,

Lights up – 70s music. Mr Fezziwig comes in with party people; juniors dance then freeze when music stops

Cp: Do you remember this man with a really cool taste in threads?

Sc: (Surprised) Why bless my soul it’s old Fezziwig! Disco Fever Fezziwig! Remember him? He gave me my first job!

Cp: Cool name baby. Why was he called Disco Fever?

Sc: He was a great one for the old 70’s disco music. His Christmas parties were something to behold indeed. Those were the happy days.

Fez: (Clapping hands) Come on gang, the quicker we get a piece of tinsel each, up the quicker we can have a groovy time.

( Young Scrooge scribbles on a ledger)

Cp: (About Fezziwig) Oh yeah baby, this cat’s got a fab way of talking.

Fez: (Admiring decorations) Oh Yeah! Fab!

Cp: Yeah Fab baby!

Fez: (catches sight of younger scrooge) Ebenezer Scrooge will you stop working! It’s time to party man, hey dud it’s Christmas!

Young Sc: Yes Sir, I’ll be one more minute as I want to double check outstanding debtors…(goes to check the ledgers)

Old Sc: (going over to young Sc) Look, there’s me as a young man! When I was young I was second to none, well groomed and handsome.

Cp: Yeah man! Now look at you. You’re no longer well groomed and changed from Handsome to and pretty gruesome baby!

Fez: (To party people) Hurry everyone, let’s hustle! It’s Christmas and I want this to be the best party ever!

Old Sc: (Wistful) Old Fezziwig’s parties were something special!

Cp: Pretty amazing huh! When you think the guy only spent a few quid.

Sc: It wasn’t the money, it was…

Cp: Not the money? Wow but isn’t money everything to you? What about Bob Crachet?Hey baby you have the power to make his life heaven or hell! Were you firm but fair with your no wage increase? A poor excuse to pick that guy’s pocket 365 days of the year baby!

OSc: I admit, I may have been a little harsh with Crachet.

Cp: Hey baby! I pity you for what you have lost. Look at the riches generosity of spirit can bring man. You are the poorest of the poor.

OSc: Don’t pity me, I don’t need your pity.

Dickens come on with the book – audience responds.

Sc: Oh no! Not him again!

Sc: (to Cp) What’s he doing here? It’s my dream!

Cp: He’s the narrator. He helps the audience to understand the story. Shh and listen and learn baby!

Dickens: So Scrooge remembered a Christmas of his own past and how much fun it could be. That’s it did not depend on money or the size of presents but being amongst friends and family with a generous dollop of Christmas Spirit. Fezziwigs party was about to begin!

Fez: (To audience) Alright! Let’s Party!

Song: Rocking Around

Everyone starts to dance except young Scrooge.

Fez: Right, it’s time to eat, Ebenezer Scrouge! Hey dude! Stop working man, it’s just not cool, you dig? Come and enjoy the party man!

YSc: I will be along in just a minute sir, I’m just calculating some compound interest.

All leave dancing down the aisle to music leaving YSc and ledger.

D: Scrooge was to see his lost love. A young woman named Dolly to whom he was engaged to be married. But the more money Scrooge made the less he wanted to spend it on marriage or anything else that didn’t make more money.

Dolly comes up the aisle shouting.

YDd: Ebenezer, come on you’re missing all the fun!

OSc: (wistful) Why, it’s Dolly!

Cp: (Admiring of Dolly) Oh ding dong! She’s scrum – diddly – umptious!

OSc: (wistful) My old flame Dolly, I had forgotten after all these years, how lovely she was.

D: Scrooge had forgotten how lovely Dolly was!

OSc: (Irked) That’s just what I said!

Ydd: Hello Ebenezer! I thought I’d find you here still working. Come on.

YSc: (Doesn’t look up from ledger) Mmmmmm

Ydd: (Shyly) I thought tonight would be a good time to announce a date for our wedding. We have been engaged over 2 years now, we should set a date for our marriage.

YSc: (nose still in ledger) I can’t afford a wedding yet.

Ydd: Can’t we set a date an make the best of it? Money isn’t everything.

YSc: No it isn’t everything but it is most things, and marriage is a very expensive undertaking.

Ydd: But Ebenezer, money can’t buy love and we have each love, don’t we?

Ysc: (curt, nose in ledger) I do not have the finances to justify our marriage as yet.

Cp: (To Scrooge) Oh wow! That was so unromantadelic baby, were you really so strapped for cash?

YSc: I have begun to make my way successfully in the world of business and it is necessary for that purpose and not to fritter it away on a wedding. Because you, Dolly, can bring no cash into our marriage I have to work harder to allow for the burden you represent. (nose back in ledger)

D: (To audience) Isn’t he horrible boys and girls? Poor Dolly (get aahs from audience) Hey guys, this is a really heart breaking moment, yeah! We need some serious aahs (Audience reponds)

Dd: (hurt) Am I a burden to you Ebenezer? Is that all I am, a burden to you?

OSc: (Sadly looking at Dd) She loved me and I loved her, dearest Dolly.

Cp: You should have splashed some cash then.

Ysc: I’m sorry Dolly but as you ask, yes you are a burden to me.

Cp: (to scrooge) I think you need some work on your people skills baby!

OSc: (Urgently to Dd) He doesn’t mean it Dolly! He doesn’t mean it, he’s a yound fool.

Ydd: (almost crying) Well Ebenezer, I will not be a burden  to you anymore. I release you from our engagement to marry. Here is your ring back and I hope you can get a refund on it. (pauses for a reaction from YSc, but he just takes the ring).

OSc: (Conversationally to past) Indeed I did. Mr H Samuel the jeweller had sold me the ring at trade discount. I was able to resell it for a tidy profit!

Cp: I don’t think you’ve grasped the message I’m trying to show you. Watch and learn baby!

Ydd: (Tearful) Goodbye Ebenezer, I’m sorry my love was so, so unprofitable for you. (runs down aisle crying into handkerchief)

YSc: (looks to where Dolly exits and goes back to books)

OSc: Dolly! Dolly! What have I done? I’ve thrown it all away!

Dickens: (to audience) It was typical of Scrooge to lose the girl he loved and loved him back just because he was just too mean. Scrooge could have had everything but he threw it all away (interrupted by scrooge)

Song: Lonely this Christmas

Cp: Hey man, this is a really groovy story.

D: Thank you very much.

OSc: Bah humbug! Well, I’ve had enough of this nightmare, that’s what it is, a bad dream.

D: It really is a story you know!

OSc: Well try this as another ending – pick your exit now!

D: Bye everyone! See you soon! (sits on his chair)

Cp: Do you not see baby? It was your own greed man! Your non groovy concern with money above people, that’s what lost you love and happiness baby.

Scrooge gets into bed.

Sc:I see nothing, nothing! I’m asleep, that’s what it is!

Cp: Oh chill out man! Think it through baby! I’ll leave you in peace until the next groovy cool dude like me appears. Ciao baby!

(Cp leaves down aisle to music)

Scrooge is snoring away…Christmas Present comes onto stage….walks over to near Christmas tree….

Audience: Christmas tree! etc with DD

Present: Well I thought that would wake him up, but it hasn’t….can you help me? Let’s shout ‘wakey, wakey scrooge’… ready etc…

Scrooge wakes with a start: What? Whee….urrrhhhh…

Present: (laughing) That’s some welcome isn’t it everyone?!

S: Oh it’s you….Are you going to show me what I’m missing, just because I’m keeping Christmas myself, my way?

P: Yes, I am, I’m going to show you what the Christmas present could be like!

S: That’s very nice of you….What’s it like?

P: What’s what like?

S: My Christmas present! What’s it like? I love presents

P: No, no, no

S: Are you telling me you haven’t got me a present, because you did say present and that’s entering into a contract!

P: Would that be a legally binding contract?

S: Yes and I could sue you….

P: Well if you’d really like a present, Should I give him a special present everyone? Close your eyes and I’ll give you it – Shall I everyone?

S: Why do I have to close my eyes? Will I like it? Give it to me!

P: Shall I give it to him? Shall I? Merry Christmas Scrooge! (wet facecloth round face, scrooge splutters)

Dickens stands as Scrooge goes to side muttering to wipe face…

D: So Scrooge cleans up, moaning and goes with Christmas Present to first place which is Bob’s cottage.

Mrs Chrachit and children enter carrying tables and chairs, which they set up.

MrsC: Come on Lily, Come on Elliott, let’s get a move on as your father will be back from church soon. Get the table ready for our Christmas dinner… Tiny Tim, will you hurry up please.

Tiny Tim enters walking with a crutch.

TT: I’m starving, can I have some sweeties, please mum?

Mrs C: No Tiny Tim, it’s nearly dinner time.

Elliott: Do you know what Tiny Tim did yesterday, mum, he ….

TT: (interrupting) Was tripped up

Lydia: You big fib!

TT: God bless us everyone.

Mrs C: Thank you Tiny Tim, what a good boy you are!

Theo: Is the turkey bigger than last year, mama?

Mrs C: Oh yes much bigger. This is the biggest turkey we’ve ever had!

TT: It couldn’t be much smaller than last year, could it? I mean even a mouse would be bigger than last years!

Mrs C: Tiny Tim! What did you say?

TT: I mean God Bless us everyone. Can I have a sweet yet?

Mrs C: Thank you Tiny Tim, but no you can’t and the rest of you, don’t start quarrelling. Now, get this table laid! Your father will be home any minute.

TT: About time, I’m starving. I’d really have liked some sweets.

Lucy: Tiny Tim, Papa works so hard.

TT: I really meant God Bless us everyone!

Mrs C: (getting a bit annoyed now) Thank you Tiny Tim.

Bob Crachit comes from Don’s side.

Bob: Hello the Crachit family! Happy Christmas!

All: Merry Christmas father.

Mrs C: Right the turkey is ready.

(everyone stands round the table and Mrs C brings on a big silver salver)

Bob: Are you ready everyone? Ta ta ta ta taaaaaaa!

(trumpet imitation. Family drum knife and fork on table, combined with drum roll. Mrs C lift lid with great flourish, revealing pathetically small turkey)

Isaac: Wow! It’s huge! Can I have a big piece?

Theo : It’s Gi normous

Elliott : It’s wickedly big!

Sc: It’s a sparrow. Are they blind? It’s pathetic!

Present: It’s all they can afford on the wages you pay, yet despite this, the Crachits won’t let Christmas be cancelled.

Bob: Everyone, a toast!

Mrs C: A toast!

Bob: To Mr Ebenezer Scrooge, the founder of our feast!

Raises glass and rest of family put theirs down.

Sc: You see, I am held in respect, by this family despite what you say.

Present: Watch, listen and learn how much they respect you!

TT: The miserable old codger…

Mrs C: Tiny Tim, What did you say?

TT: God bless us everyone!

Mrs C: I must say my dear, I do believe that sometimes, he’s the meanest man in Stanley.

Lydia and Lilymay The meanest man in the world!

Lucy and Isaac The meanest man in the universe!

Bob: What you say is true my dears, but let’s wish him good health as it is Christmas, for the days sake!

Mrs C: Christmas! What does that man know of Christmas? All he knws is money. Well I’d like to have him here and I’d give him a piece of my mind.

Child: Are you sure you can spare any mama?

Mrs C: Don’t be cheeky. Alright Robert, I will drink to his health, but for your sake and the days sake (raises glass) To Mr Ebenezer Scrooge, may he have good health, not that he deserves it!

All: (raise glasses) Mr Scrooge! Good health, not that he deserves it!

TT: And god bless us everyone!

They all go off stage, leaving Scrooge and Christmas Present.

Sc: What have I done? I didn’t realise that the Cratchits felt like that….

Present: Before you judge and condemn other take the trouble to find out who they are, where they are and how they got there! Human affairs are like casting a pebble into a pond. Your words and actions send ripples affecting others. You have much to answer for. Let’s go to Fred’s house now, to see what you’re missing.

Act 2 Scene 5

Enter Fred, Polly, Dolly, Nit and Natter

Present and Scrooge wait at one side.

Table and chairs remain from Crachit family.

Ant : I say Fred, did you invite Mr Scrooge for Christmas dinner again this year?

Dec : Bah humbug!

F: Uncle Ebenezer? Indeed I did and I always shall.

A : He is such a miserable man, isn’t he – never a smile for everyone!

D : Do you know why he doesn’t like Christmas, Fred? he gets more mean and miserly with every passing day…

Fred: That’s why I invite him. He moans and curses because everyone else is enjoying themselves and making merry and does not realise he deprives himself of the warmth of human company. He must be very lonely and sad. I feel sorry for him. My mother was very fond of him, so I’ll invite him every year no matter how horrid he is.

Present: Fred has a good heart. Was he your sister’s only child?

Sc: Yes, my dear sister! When I was young I was very fond of her. She was a gentle person. He’s very kind, just like she was.

Dd: You’ll make a lovely husband for my Polly, fred. Welcome to the family! A toast to Fred’s good heart, more valuable than all Scrooge’s gold!

All drink toast.

Fred: Thank you, everyone. This is what my uncle deprives himself of in not coming to dinner. Good company, good friends, good fun!

It Feels like Christmas

Sc: I…I… – oh…oh…I think I want to go home now…..

Dickens; suddenly, scrooge finds himself walking back into his bedroom!

Scrooge; my goodness me! Look at this – I’m back in my bedroom, all by myself, with just someone strange reading a book to me! What a load of rubbish I’ve been dreaming about- ive had so many memories brought back and I’m not happy about some of them!

Dickens; suddenly, scrooge felt a cold dread come over him…

Scrooge; I felt a cold what?

Dickens; a cold dread – it means you’re suddenly feeling very scared,,

Scrooge; scared? frightened? me? NO I AM Not!

Dickens; actually I think you might be soon!

Christmas Future comes on, chewing gum –(with smaller ones as fairies)  perhaps punk fairy with wand that now and then she uses to poke him! perhaps with coloured sparks from it?

Scrooge walks round her while she taps foot with attitude

Scrooge; well actually I could be feeling a bit apprehensive if this is the person who’s going to show me what my future might be!! What is she like? I just hope she has lots and lots of gold coins that she wants counting!

Fairy; lots of gold coins?  
your favourite things?
Ha!!  What you need to see now
Is what YOUR future will bring!

Scrooge; ooooh I’m scared  – look at my knees knocking

Fairy; bah! Humbug!    

Dickens; scrooge is so scared his knees are knocking

Scrooge; ooooh I’m so scared that my teeth are chattering

Fairy; bah! Humbug!  

Dickens; oh yes…scrooge is so scared his teeth are chattering

Scrooge; let’s not forget my hands are shaking…

Fairy; bah! Humbug!  

Dickens; oh yes…scrooge is so scared his hands are shaking!

Scrooge;  it’s just like having a parrot in the room

Fairy;
come on Scrooge mate  
It’s time to go
cos there’s quite a few things now
you’re gonna need to know  (flying routine)

Scrooge; ok – MATE-huh…where are we going now – cos it’s a bit gloomy round here (he walks backwards 2 steps and trips over gravestone with ivy round top)

Scrooge; what a silly place to put a gravestone here in the dark where no one can see it!

 Fairy; I think you should look more closely at it mate
See what it says
cos it holds some clues
as to who under it lays

Scrooge; bah ! Humbug! I can’t say im terrifically keen on this place so the sooner we leave here, the better…you read it to me…

Fairy;
Here he lies no one is sad
He had no friends
He was mean and bad

dickens ;
Money he had but it did no good
he was the stingiest man in the neighbourhood

fairy;
people rejoiced when they heard this geezer
had popped his clogs

dickens and fairy; this e-ben-eezer!!

Scrooge; I don’t believe it! No one cared at all what happened to me? that can’t be true –I don’t believe that not one single person didn’t care – what about Bob Cratchitt… what did I do wrong?

Fairy; mr scrooge – all your life you’ve never really thought about anyone else but yourself – how you could make more and more money but you never thought about sharing it and left so many people working and suffering while you sat and counted it. Well congratulations, you’ll  have your wish,,,you will be the richest man in the cemetery!

Scrooge; but..but…but..that’s not what I want….i never thought of it like that…no one liking me…..no one sorry whether I’m around or not… what can I do Dickens?

Dickens; that’s in your hands ebeneezer – you must decide what to do from now on…..

Scrooge; I realise that perhaps I should change….i should think less about my money and more about doing something to help others..…being nicer to people…I’ll change!

Dickens; that s easier said than done, Scrooge!

Scrooge; Dickens,will you re-write the story so I can change? I admit I‘ve been so thoughtless and uncaring about the way others are feeling,,, and what’s happening in their lives….I’m  going to learn my lessons…believe me…

Fairy; so what now mate? What can you do to change?  

Scrooge; looking back on my life, I realise that I should be more tolerant, more compassionate with people around me…I should love my fellow men,,,these values I realise are priceless beyond everything else , even the value of pieces of shiny gold . please give me another chance ,,,please…

Fairy; ok mr scrooge – you’ve visited the past and the present,,,,and you’ve seen into the future….i hope you will change, but the future is in your own hands mate! See you later-somewhere, some time!!

Scrooge changes!

Scrooge is in chair still cuddling teddy bear….

Scrooge; please, give me another chance….(yawning)….please….(stretching)   I’ll change..i’ll ch-aaagghh! (jumps up) todays the day that starts my new life if I remember rightly….  People are going to love me because I’m going to be nice and caring and an all round lovely person…I’ll show you all that I can change!! I will Teddy… (knocking on door) who’s that I wonder…well it’s Christmas morning so someone might come and wish me ‘merry Christmas’, you never know!!

(he goes towards Christmas tree – routine and Dolly stays on)

D D ; good morning Ebeneezer – It’s me, Dame Dolly…I’ve just come to collect….ooooohhh!!!!

(scrooge goes over to her, puts his arms round her, says ‘

Merry Christmas Dolly! My dear’

and gives her a kiss on cheek!)

DD; Mr Scrooge – Ebeneezer – Merry Christmas! Are you feeling all right this morning? What’s happened to you? You’ve just wished me merry Christmas

Scrooge; ah – the old Christmas-hating scrooge is a man of the past….life is too short for something like that

DD; What?

Scrooge; I’ve decided that I am going to think of others and do the very best I can for them  and improve their lives!!

song: thankful heart

DD; it’s a Christmas miracle (still fanning herself!) it has to be!!

Audience; aaahhhh!!!

DD; it’s worth more than that – come on!!!

Audience; aaaauuuhhhh

DD; ebeneezer – I can’t think of a greater way for you to start the new year! Thank you – that’s brilliant! I’ve just come to pick up this Christmas tree….i didn’t think you wanted it so I’m going to take it round to the cratchitts house, cos the children will love it! Why don’t you come with me so we can tell them your good news?

Scrooge; actually, when I passed the butchers shop yesterday, there was an enormous turkey left in the window….i’d like to buy it for them and five it to them.

Boys come on stage from kitchen side.

DD; send the boys out to buy it and carry it round there.

Scrooge; good idea Dolly…hey you boys…

Boys; merry Christmas mr scrooge …oops sorry sir, we didn’t mean that….

Scrooge; that’s fine boys – and what handsome boys you are…will you go to the butchers for me and buy the big turkey that’s left in the window?

Boys; well yes sir, of course

Scrooge; if you will and then take it round to bob cratchitts for me, then there’s a five pound note in it for you

Boys; a fiver – sir – that is just amazing!! Are you relly mr Scrooge or someone who looks like him?

Scrooge; oh I just love it when people make jokes-here you are!  Dame Dolly and I will be along in a minute!

Boys go off stage –

DD; right my lovely – are we ready to rumble?

Scrooge; I am if you are Dame Dolly!

(they get ready to exit down aisle,  when slap and tickle come on stage, look at scrooge and tut etc)

Scrooge shares his good luck

Scrooge; Merry Christmas ladies – and how are you on this very special day?

Slap; very special day sir?

Hand; that not what you thought yesterday

Scrooge; But Ladies….

Tickle; let’s just ignore him – keep on walking!

Slap; I wouldn’t talk to you if you offered me £10

Hand ;I wouldn’t talk to you if you offered me £100

Tickle; and I wouldn’t talk to you if you offered me £1000 pounds

Scrooge; ladies, I would like to donate £10,000 pounds to your charity

Slap; what? how much did you say?

Hand; sir – Ten thousand pounds?

Tickle; Mr Scrooge – such a large amount – that is so very generous

Scrooge; ladies I must apologise for the way I spoke to you yesterday – I really wasn’t feeling myself! I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Slap; oh don’t worry mr scrooge

Hand; we all have our off days

Tickle; some of us more than others (looking at Slap)  To dame Dolly – are you sure about this my dear? It’s such a large sum of money!

DD; oh yes

Scrooge; there are many back- payments included – here’s my cheque ladies

Slap; thank you so much mr scrooge

Hand ; may we wish you both a very merry Christmas   

Hand; indded – what a very generous man you are!

All ladies – merry Christmas to everyone! (they go off down aisle)

Scrooge and Dame Dolly turn to each other, Scrooge holding out hand when Polly and Fred come on from Dons side; they walk round to either side.

Polly; mother, what’s this?

Dame Dolly; merry Christmas Polly

Fred; uncle ebeneezer – what’s this?      , uncle?

Scrooge; merry Christmas nephew

Fred; Merry Christmas uncle?

Scrooge; for many years now I have said that Christmas was humbug, but now I realise that it is me who has been humbug and I’m truly sorry. If your invitation to Christmas dinner is still open, then I would love to come!

Dame Dolly; oh Fred- your uncle has changed so much, it’s hard to believe..of course your invitation is still open.

Scrooge; and may I say Fred what a beautiful young lady you have chosen for your wife; many congratulations

Polly; thank you so much uncle ebeneezer- that it so kind

Fred; and I’m lost for words!

DD; so was I fred  but as we need to take this Christmas tree to bob crachitts house, can we explain on the way? Scrooge; lets go (go down aisle)

Nit  and Natter come on stage

Nit; well that didn’t turn out too bad, did it Natter?

Natter; it didn’t, but I wouldn’t mind  trying my hand at something else!!

Nit; ok so what you’re saying is that if you were not upon this stage, something else you’d like to be,,,,,

Natter: exactly

IF I WERE NOT UPON….

Nit; we’d better get going to Bob’s house

Natter ; yes otherwise Mr Scrooge will get there before us and he’ll have a go at us! Both; see you soon! (off stage down aisle)

Bob’s children come running onto stage blowing blowers, whooping etc

Bob comes on

Bob; come on, calm down a bit now

Mrs cratchitt; look who I found on our doorstep Bob – if it isn’t mr and mrs Fezziwig! Merry Christmas to you both!

Fezziwig; Bob – Ellen how are you both and let us wish you a very merry Christmas

Mrs Fezz; ; and a new year that brings you health and happiness too. Here’s a few sweets for the children to share!

Lily ; oh thank you so much – we love them- nod heads

Elliott; hey dad – have you seen this?

Bob; seen what?

Theo; isn’t that mr Scrooge heading this way?

Lucy  – and hasn’t he got Dame Dolly with him?

Lilymay ; in fact isn’t he laughing and joking?

Tiny Tim; he’s never cracking his face is he?

Ellen; Tiny Tim – what did you say?

TT; God bless us everyone!

Scrooge and Dame Dolly step onto stage

Scrooge; Bob, Ellen may  Dame Dolly and I  wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. Mr and Mrs Fezziwig – how lovely to see you again (shakes hands) merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year  to you all!

Bob; you’re wishing us  all,,,a …merry …Christmas, mr scrooge?

Scrooge; yes and here’s a Christmas tree and some chocolates for sharing

Chorus; merry Christmas

Scrooge; and this is for you mrs Cratchitt…

Ellen; for us? I’ve never seen such a big one! I’ll put it in the oven now and everyone’s invited to come for tea. (she put it in oven)

Scrooge goes over to Nit and Natter , gives them some paper money which they hold up to light… they say thank you and shake his hand!

Scrooge; and will you be in work early tomorrow, Bob?

Bob; yes of course sir!

Scrooge; Excellent….then we can discuss the rise in your wages and position Sir?

Scrooge; yes you heard me right and a bigger house so that you can live more comfortably

Bob; raise? Position? House?

Dame Dolly; yes indeed you heard him right!

Fezziwig; I say ebeneezer – are you feeling alright? It’s not like you…

Scrooge; yes, never better. Thank you Fezziwig! I’m enjoying the fruits of my philanthropy

Fezziwig; oh brilliant – you must come round some time and I’ll show you my stamp collection too!

Polly and Fred come in back so central stage

P&F; merry Christmas everyone

Polly; look at this wonderful ring that Fred has given me for my Christmas present! It’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen!

Fred; it’s only as beautiful as you my polly! (kisses her cheek)

Nit; oh yuk! Do you have to do that when you get older?

Natter ; no way hosea will I ever do that!, 

Scrooge; I made the biggest mistake of my life when I let you go Dolly….i want to tell you that you are the most ravishing, the most enticing, the most exotic woman ever – and you are the one for me,,,,,say you’ll marry me and make me the happiest of men!

Everyone gasps!!

Dame Dolly; oh ebeneezer – this is such a delightful surprise! It’s such a long time since we were last engaged……I must tell you that my wild oats have turned inti prunes and all bran,,,,but if you’re willing then – so am i!!!

Dickens; And so thanks to the timely warning from his friend Jacob Marley and visits from Christmas Past….Present …and future… Scrooge became as good a man as the old village of Stanley had ever know! It was said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well. If you have the ,ability to keep the true spirit of Christmas in you heart, then happiness will always find you And as Tiny Tim was often heard to say – GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!! The end – closes book

Song I wish it could be christmas every day