# A Christmas Carol

## Metadata

- Slug: a-christmas-carol
- Type: Short Play
- Genre: Drama
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration: 20–40 minutes
- Cast:
  - Medium (7-14)
  - Large (15+)
- Cast Summary: 14f, 9m, 6+ any gender (may be reduced with doubling)
- Movement Requirements: None
- Technical Requirements: Minimal, flexible
- Suitable For:
  - Community Theatre
  - High School/Secondary
  - Theatre for Young Audiences
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/3ebecvnulail0rzpmw2mk9p8e1tc

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## Authors

- By [Tracy Wells](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/tracy-wells)

## Overview

**It's Dickens'** ***A Christmas Carol*****, but told in 30/40 minutes. You get all of your favorite lines, the classic messages, and then more time for mistletoe and pudding after. Give the people what they want.** This iconic tale of longing, redemption and hope is brought to life in this one-act adaptation, perfect for any performance group that wants to share a little Christmas magic in a shorter performance time.
Playwright Tracy Wells' deft distillation of this Victorian classic keeps even, unhurried pacing while maintaining the integrity and sparkle of the beloved story. Complete with a Turkey Boy, this adaptation is perfect for organizations looking for just a sprinkling of holiday cheer, or those that don't want to start rehearsing in wool coats and top hats while it's still 85 and sunny. "God bless us, everyone!"

## Plot

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miser…just ask his faithful employee Bob Cratchitt. So it’s no surprise that when Scrooge goes home on Christmas Eve, he expects a night like any other: a solitary evening complete with a meager meal and turning in early to bed.  But when he is awakened by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley and told that he must change his ways to avoid a terrible fate, Scrooge is whisked away on a journey through his life that he never expected.  In this quick but faithful adaptation, all of the most memorable characters and moments from Dickens’ beloved tale are present, along with all of the Christmas magic you expect.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| EBENEZER SCROOGE  | Miserly owner of counting house; male.
 |
| GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY | Scrooge’s deceased former partner; male. |
| GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST | The first specter; any gender.                  
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| GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT | The second specter; any gender.
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| GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE | The third specter; any gender.
 |
| BOB CRATCHITT | Scrooge’s clerk; male.
 |
| MRS. CRATCHITT | Wife of Bob Cratchitt; female.
 |
| TINY TIM | The Cratchitt’s disabled son; male.        
 |
| PETER | Crachitt’s oldest son; male.                      
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| MARTHA | Cratchitt’s daughter; female.        
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| BELINDA | Cratchitt’s daughter; female.   
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| CAROLINE | Cratchitt’s daughter; female.                
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| SARAH | Cratchitt’s daughter; female. 
 |
| 1ST SOLICITOR | Money collector for the poor; any gender.
 |
| 2ND SOLICITOR | Money collector for the poor; any gender.
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| FRED | Scrooge’s nephew; male.
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| CATHERINE | Fred’s wife; female.
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|  ELIZABETH | A party guest; female.
 |
| YOUNG SCROOGE | Age 8 and age 18; male, may be 2 actors.
 |
| FAN  | Scrooge’s sister; female. |
| FEZZIWIG | Scrooge’s employer; male.
 |
| MRS. FEZZIWIG | Fezziwig’s wife; female.
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| RICHARD | Fezziwig’s apprentice; male.
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| MARY | Fezziwig’s daughter; female.
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| BELLE  | Scrooge’s lost love; female.
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| MRS. DILBUR | Thief; female.
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| MRS. BURROWS | Thief; female.	
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| MRS. TURNER | Thief; female.
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| ERRAND CHILD | Any gender.
 |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creator | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator. Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded.  |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/a-christmas-carol)