A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

[Arranged as an entertainment from Dickens's Christmas Story.]

Ebenezer Scrooge.Jacob Marley, the shadow.Fred, Scrooge's nephew.Bob Cratchit.Tiny Tim.Boy.The Ghost of Christmas Past.The Ghost of Christmas Present.The Ghost of Christmas To Come.

Ebenezer Scrooge.

Jacob Marley, the shadow.

Fred, Scrooge's nephew.

Bob Cratchit.

Tiny Tim.

Boy.

The Ghost of Christmas Past.

The Ghost of Christmas Present.

The Ghost of Christmas To Come.

Scrooge.Rusty suit of black; gray wig.

Marley.Blue coat with brass buttons; breeches; top-boots with tassels; chain about his waist, with padlocks and keys fastened upon it; at the end, a cash-box; very white face; white wig, with hair standing up.

Fred.Handsome modern costume; light overcoat; red scarf tied loosely about his neck; gloves; hat.

Bob Cratchit.Rusty blue coat; shabby pants; iron-gray wig; large white comforter about his neck.

Tiny Tim.Roundabout jacket; comforter about his neck; crutch; cap.

Boy.Jacket; large cap; very red nose; large mittens; comforter about his neck.

Christmas Past.A little girl; short white spangled dress; white stockings; shoes; a wig of long white hair.

Christmas Present.Purple robe reaching to the floor, trimmed with fur; long, brown, curly hair; full brown beard; on his head "a holly-wreath, set here and there with shining icicles;" a belt around his waist, to which is attached a scabbard.

Christmas to Come.Long black robe, with hood entirely concealing his features.

These costumes can be altered or improved by reference to Fields, Osgood, & Co.'s illustrated Christmas Carol.

Arrangement.This entertainment is arranged for a stage eighteen feet wide by fourteen feet deep. A curtain, to draw up, is required between the audience and the performers. Half way up the stage, another curtain, to separate in the centre, and draw aside; the front curtain should be green, the back dark fabric. The front of the stage represents Scrooge's office, where the dream (in this version) occurs. The back is used for the pictures. For home representation, the same arrangement can be easily carried out. The performer is directed as though standing upon the stage, facing audience.

STAVE I.

Scene.—Scrooge'soffice.L.,a low desk, at which sitsScrooge,in a large arm-chair.R.,a high desk, with a tall stool; candle burning upon the desk.C.,a low stool.Bobstanding by the desk with a poker in his hand; one foot advanced, as though creeping offL.,looking atScroogewith an anxious expression.

(Bobdrops the poker, gets upon stool, and tries towarm his hands at the candle.)

(Bobdrops the poker, gets upon stool, and tries to

warm his hands at the candle.)

[Exit,R.

STAVE TWO.

Lively music. Curtain rises, showingScrooge'soffice, as before.Scroogesitting in chair, looking at back stage, the curtains of which are drawn, disclosing theGhost of Christmas Present,who sits upon a seat covered with red, his right arm leaning upon a barrel. In his lap is a bowl of steaming punch; in his left hand, a torch [red fire, such as is used in tableaux, placed in a hollow at the end of a stick, will produce the desired effect]; round him are strewn articles, such as are given for presents. After a few seconds,Christmas Presentrises, and comes forward. The curtains close.

[SpiritretiresR.,Scrooge,L.

(Front curtain descends quickly.)

STAVE THREE.

Scrooge'soffice, as before. Back curtains drawn. TheGhost of Christmas Futurestanding,R.,pointing down;Scroogebeside him,L.Mournful music.

(Music: curtains at back are drawn, disclosing "A Christmas Picture." In the centre, theGhost of Christmas Present,seated as before, with his torch raised, red fire blazing in it. At hisL.,the blindfolded gentleman, in the same position as before, with the lady getting away from him; on hisL.,the lady with the fan;R.ofChristmas Present,Mrs.Cratchit,with the pudding in her hands;Marthaat herR.,withTiny Timin her arms. Two of the children opposite them, looking at the pudding.Tiny Timspeaks, when curtain is fairly drawn, "God bless us every one!" "The Christmas Carol" [see p.64] is then sung by an invisible chorus; and the front curtain falls upon the whole picture.)

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTESChanged "Mrs. Trueworth" to "Mrs. T." on p.42to be consistent with other entries of the same character.Changed "Mrs. Hartshorn" to "Mrs. H." on p.109to be consistent with other entries of the same character.Corrected "Col." to "Rowell" on p.68.Corrected "Jenks" to "Hosea" on p.71.Corrected "Mr. G." to "Mrs. G." on p.99.Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

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