I am delighted to once again be directing my adaptation of A Christmas Carol, having first directed it 25 years ago in 2001.

Everyone knows the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the visits from the ghosts – the joy here is in the telling. This adaptation utilises multiple role playing and shared narration to tell the story in all its glory – not just the dialogue (with all Dickens’ marvellous characters) but also the descriptive prose that gives Dickens his unique voice.

The cast is flexible, with suggested doubling below – but this can be altered to fit the cast. All cast (with the exception of Scrooge) will also be narrating throughout, as well as changing the scenes – so everyone will be kept very busy! It will be physical in places and there is a small amount of singing as well.

Roles:

• Ebenezer Scrooge - adult, male
• Fred / Young Ebenezer - adult, male
• Bob Cratchit - adult, male
• Charity Man 1 / Schoolmaster / Lighthouse Man / Gentleman 1 - adult, male
• Charity Man 2 / Belle’s Husband / Miner / Sailor / Undertaker - adult, male
• Jacob Marley’s Ghost / Miner / Lighthouse Man / Old Joe - adult, male
• Fezziwig / Topper / Gentleman 3 - adult, male
• Dick Wilkins / Man 1 / Poor Man - adult, male
• The Young Follower / Man 2 / Gentleman 2 - adult, male
• Ghost of Christmas Present / Poulterer - adult, male
• Ghost of Christmas Past / Miner / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - adult, female
• Phantom / Fanny / Miss Fezziwig / Girl 2 - adult, female
• Miss Fezziwig / Polly - adult, female
• Phantom / Miss Fezziwig / Martha Cratchit - adult, female
• Belle / Miner / Poor Woman - adult, female
• Mrs Cratchit - adult, female
• Girl 1 / Charwoman - adult, female
• Mrs Fezziwig / Miner / Mrs Dilber - adult, female
• Carol Singer / Young Scrooge / Peter Cratchit - child
• Boy Scrooge / Boy Cratchit / Turkey Boy - child
• Belle’s Child / Tiny Tim / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belle’s Child / Miner / Want / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belle’s Child / Miner / Ignorance / Poor Child - child
• Phantom / Belinda Cratchit - child
• Phantom / Maid - child