Christmas tale

 

 

short story by Charles Dickens

Theater adaptation by Ruth Salles

GRADES

This play is based on the eponymous short story by the famous English writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870), who profoundly influenced his time fighting for humanitarianism and against the indifference and cruelty of commercialism and the industrial system, calling attention to the individual itself. . Charles Dickens wrote this Christmas Carol at the age of 28, in between chapters of a larger novel. This is how he created several short Christmas tales, claiming that their main purpose was to awaken thoughts of love and forgiveness, in keeping with the Christmas season in a Christian country. As for the play, I adapted the scenes by dividing them according to the chapters of the story and, as it was a work for students aged between 14 and 15, I expanded the story by including an Introduction, which consists of the street singers' Christmas song. . This song justifies the title of the story, which is “A Christmas Carol”, being “carol”, in fact, the song made from door to door on Christmas nights at that time in Europe. I tried to convey as best as possible the style of Dickens in the passages spoken by the narrators.

As the story takes place in England in the 19th century, I suggested three old English songs for the play, so that the students can experience the atmosphere of England at the time: “Greensleeves” (from the 16th century, but used since the 17th century as a Christmas), to be played at scene changes, and (or) to be played at the beginning and sung at the end of the piece; “Deck the Halls” (joyful and ancient Welsh Christmas carol), to be sung by street singers; “God rest you merry” (16th century Christmas carol) perhaps to be sung at the end of the piece. For the three I adapted lyrics in Portuguese. However, I leave the choice of songs to music teachers. There is also a dance, in the Spirit of Christmas Past chapter. Perhaps a dance from the time would be interesting.

 

CHARACTERS

REAL:
Main Narrator (represents the author; carries cane and hat or top hat)
narrators
Scrooge (wears glasses on the tip of his nose when in the office)
Scrooge's nephew
nephew's wife
Sister-in-law
Sister-in-law's boyfriend
nephew's maid
Scrooge's Secretary
Secretary's wife
Martha, daughter of the Secretary
Peter, son of the Secretary
Timmy, son of the Secretary (uses crutches)
Boy who sings at the door alone (part of the Rua Cantores)
Two Kind Gentlemen
Boy who buys the turkey (may be part of the street singers)

SHADOWS:
Marley's Ghost
Spirit of Christmas Past
Spirit of Christmas Future
Christmas Spirit Gift
Scrooge as a boy
Scrooge's little sister-boy
Dick
Dick's friend
Scrooge-boy old boss
Old boss's wife
boss's cook
boss's kitchen
Two Merchants
old john
two thieves
Girl
Boy
Ignorance
Misery

 

INTRODUCTION

Scrooge and his Secretary; Street Singers, Main Narrator and Narrators (depending on the number of students, the singers can be the secretary's wife, his children Marta, Pedro, Timmy, and the boy who later sings at Scrooge's door; and the narrators can be the waitress of the nephew, the two merchants, old João, the two thieves, the girl and the boy).

In the center of the scene, a little to the left, is Scrooge's office, with a table and chair (on the table, the account book and the ruler), and another small table with a stool for the secretary (on the table, paper , inkwell and quill). To the right, in the background and at the top, is Scrooge's house, his four-poster bed and curtains, a hanger with his robe and hat, his slippers on the floor and a small table; sofa and fireplace can be part of the painted scene, or be imaginary. On the left at the bottom is also a high place where Scrooge will go up with the Spirits. Only the proscenium is illuminated. Scrooge and his secretary are sitting in the office, but they are still.

Enter the Singers, who can come through the audience, if possible, singing the first part of the song. One brings an old closed lantern, others bring sheet music where they read the song. Attracted by the singing, the main Narrator and the Narrators arrive at the illuminated proscenium (the center of the scene is dark) and also sing the second part of the song, all facing the audience, as if the doors of the houses were in that direction. Narrators and singers, if they are characters from other scenes, must be dressed in the clothes they will later appear in.

 

SINGERS (sing):
“Christmas is coming: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
For everyone I'm singing: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Open the door or the window: Fa-la-la, fa-la-la-la-la!
I came to sing under her: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!”

SINGERS AND NARRATORS:
“Give some of your bread: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
and with it the heart: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
The star lit up: Fa-la-la, fa-la-la-la-la!
It is because Jesus was born: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!”

(The singers leave. The narrators settle into the proscenium, as if to hear or take part in the narrative.)

 

 

Chapter 1 scene
“The Ghost of Marley”

 

Main Narrator, Narrators; Scrooge and his secretary; Scrooge's nephew; the two charitable gentlemen; the boy who sings at the door; Marley's ghost.

 

(The main narrator paces with his cane and addresses the audience; the other narrators step aside, now addressing each other, now the main narrator, now the audience.)

 

MAIN NARRATOR: – For starters… Marley was dead. There is no doubt about this. The death certificate had been signed by the clergyman, the clerk, and the undertaker.

1ST MERCHANT: - Scrooge had signed too, with his signature so credible in the square!

MAIN NARRATOR: – Marley was dead. Deader than a door.

BOY WHO SINGS AT THE DOOR: – Although a door, which moves so much with the wind, is it really dead?

1st THIEF: – Who knows! … Who will know?

MAIN NARRATOR: – But anyway… Old Marley was dead…

ALL NARRATORS: – … and Scrooge knew it!

1st MERCHANT: - Scrooge had been his only partner,

2nd MERCHANT: – his sole executor,

1st MERCHANT: - the sole administrator of his assets,

2nd MERCHANT: – his sole heir…

MAIN NARRATOR (always walking): – …and his only friend; though he solemnly commemorated his funeral by doing, on the same day, still a good deal. Marley was dead...

ALL NARRATORS: – And quite dead!

HEAD NARRATOR: And now, at the firm, Scrooge was responsible for both.

ALL NARRATORS: – Scrooooooge! The miser! The greedy sinner!

1st THIEF: – A tight fist.

2nd THIELD: – Harder and sharper than a flint stone, from which not even a steel blade draws generous sparks.

OLD JOHN: – Closed and lonely as an oyster.

ALL NARRATORS (with rhythm):
- There was a cold inside him.
that froze your features,
frown your face,
hardened his steps,
made his voice sharp.
(with a slow, grim rocking in his voice):
- An icy mist enveloped him,
and he took her wherever he went.

2nd MERCHANT: - The ice in his office lasted all year and didn't melt even at Christmas!

WOMAN: – Nobody stopped him on the street…

BOY: No beggar asked you for alms...

maid: - No woman showed him the way...

BOY WHO BUYS THE TURKEY: – No child asked him the time…

ALL NARRATORS: – No one said, “How are you, Scrooge?”

MAIN NARRATOR: – And did he care? If what you wanted most was distance...

ALL THE NARRATORS (with a slight swing in the voice):
- But once,
on Christmas Eve…
Scrooge and his secretary
worked in the cold room...

(The narrators freeze on the proscenium. The song “Greensleeves” is heard, barely played, as the center of the scene lights up. Scrooge's secretary, sitting on his stool and with his hat on the small table, rubs his icy hands. Scrooge watches the secretary with his glasses on the tip of his nose. The secretary, intimidated, stops warming his hands, takes his quill, dips it in the inkwell and begins to write slowly on a pad. Scrooge, with his overcoat unbuttoned and his hat on the table, he reviews the account book. When the music ends, the two stand still, while the narrators say the following passage.)

ALL NARRATORS (perhaps with eurythmy movements):
– Outside, the mist obscured everything,
spilling into the cracks, into the door locks,
confusing even the houses, mere ghostly shadows,
as if Nature moved, nonstop,
a steaming cauldron of soup.
The lamps glowed in the windows like faint red spots.
Up the street and down the street people passed,
panting, clapping their hands on their chests,
tapping on the cobblestones to keep warm.

(This part of Dickens' narrative is over, the narrators freeze and Scrooge's cheerful nephew enters the office.)

NEPHEW (entering): – Hail, uncle! Merry Christmas!

SCROOGE (grudgingly): — Oh, what nonsense!

NEPHEW: - Uncle! You won't want to say that Christmas is nonsense!

SCROOGE: Well, I say so. Come on, Merry Christmas… What reason do you have to be happy, you who are so poor?

NEPHEW: And what reason do you have for not being happy? You sir are so rich!

SCROOGE: Ah! Nonsense!

NEPHEW: – Don't be angry, uncle.

SCROOGE: What can I do? I'm surrounded by crazy people! “Merry Christmas”… And for you, what is Christmas if not the time to settle accounts without having money; the time of being a year older and not an hour richer; the time to balance the books and verify losses. (says this, clapping his hand on the ledger open in front of him) To me, whoever walks around saying “Happy Holidays!” it should be baked along with its own Christmas cake.

NEPHEW (dismayed): – Uncle!…

SCROOGE: – Nephew, celebrate Christmas in your own way, and I'll celebrate it in mine.

NEPHEW: – Celebrate? But the uncle doesn't celebrate anything!…

SCROOGE: Leave me alone and enjoy your Christmas. May he give you the usual profit.

NEPHEW: – There are many good things, uncle, that are not for profit, and Christmas is one of them. Christmas is a sacred time of kindness, forgiveness, joy. And although he never put a silver coin in my pocket, I think I always made a profit. God bless Christmas!

SECRETARY (enthusiastically): Yes, God bless Christmas! (covers mouth in fear, eyes widening)

SCROOGE (angry, punches the table, addressing the secretary): - One more word, and you celebrate your Christmas by losing your job! (addresses his nephew): – And you, what a beautiful orator you turned out to be. I don't know how you haven't entered Parliament yet!

NEPHEW: Well, come on, uncle! Do not get mad! Come have dinner with us tomorrow.

SCROOGE: – Me? Go to your house? Do not even think about it.

NEPHEW: But why? Why?

SCROOGE: Why did you get married, huh?

NEPHEW: – Because I fell in love.

SCROOGE: Well, he fell in love. Good night!

NEPHEW: But, uncle, I never ask you for anything, nor do I want anything from you; why can not we Be Friends?

SCROOGE: Good night.

NEPHEW: - Well, I'm sorry, uncle, I'm really sorry that you're so stubborn. We were never opponents, we never had a question, but today I made a save here in honor of Christmas and, in the spirit of Christmas, I will keep my good mood. So, uncle, Merry Christmas!

SCROOGE: Good night!

NEPHEW: – And happy new year!

(He goes out to greet the secretary, who escorts him to the door.)

SECRETARY (effusively): – Merry Christmas!

SCROOGE (to himself): – Hmm… My secretary, with 15 shillings a week, wife and children to support, and speaking of merry Christmas… You must be crazy!

(The secretary, still at the door, ushers in two solemn charitable gentlemen who tip their hats to Scrooge.)

1st CHARITY MISTER: – This is the firm “Scrooge and Marley”, isn't it? Am I honored to be speaking with Mr Scrooge or Mr Marley?

SCROOGE: — Mr. Marley passed away seven years ago. Precisely seven years ago this very night.

2nd CHARITOUS LORD (presenting credentials): – But I believe that your generosity will be well represented by your partner.

SCROOGE (returns the credentials and grumbles): – Hmm…

1st LORD (taking a pencil from his pocket): - In this festive season, Mr Scrooge, it is more than desirable that we should make provisions for the poor and miserable. There are thousands in need.

SCROOGE: And there are no hostels?

2nd MISTRESS: – Many hostels, Mr. Scrooge.

SCROOGE: And they're not open?

1st MR: - Yes, they are, Mr. Scrooge.

SCROOGE: And the law against begging? is not applied?

2nd MISTRESS: - Yes, Mr. Scrooge. It is in full force.

SCROOGE: Good, gentlemen, good.

1st LORD: – But we, thinking that institutions barely contribute to the joy of Christmas for these poor people, try to raise donations for their benefit, at this time when the need is so felt and the abundance makes so much joy.

2nd LORD: - What amount can I write down in your name?

SCROOGE: – None.

1st MR: – Do you want to remain anonymous?

SCROOGE: I want you to leave me alone. I don't rejoice at Christmas and I can't cheer bums. I already contribute to existing institutions, and that doesn't cost me little. Those who are poor go there!

1st LORD: – Many cannot.

2nd LORD: - Others would rather die.

SCROOGE: — They would do well to reduce the population; but after all I have nothing to do with it. It is enough for a man to mind his own business and not meddle in other people's business. Good night sir!

(The two gentlemen bow slightly and walk out. When Scrooge's secretary opens the door and they leave, a boy appears.)

BOY (sings at the door):
“Christmas is coming: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!”

SCROOGE (gets up and threatens him with the ruler): – Out! Outside!

(The secretary closes the door, returns to his little table, and prepares to leave, wrapping his scarf around his neck, taking his hat, and going to say good-bye to Scrooge.)

SCROOGE: You sure want the whole day off tomorrow.

SECRETARY (shyly, twirling his hat in his hands): – Oh, that would be great, sir!

SCROOGE: It wouldn't be great. Having to pay you for a day you don't work!

SECRETARY: But it's only once a year...

SCROOGE: - Nice excuse to reach into someone else's pocket on December 25th of every year. (buttons his coat) All right. Stay home tomorrow, but the next day be here early!

SECRETARY: – Absolutely! Indeed, Mr Scrooge! (Twice putting on and taking off his hat) Good evening! Good night!

(The secretary leaves, and then Scrooge leaves. The narrators spread out across the proscenium again.)

MAIN NARRATOR (walks back and forth, turning
walking stick):
- Meanwhile…
the shadows grew so thick,
that some people ran through the streets holding lanterns,
guiding the carriages through the thick fog.
The old church tower nearby, (joyfully)
whose bell was always peeping Scrooge through a Gothic window,
became invisible
and gave the hours in the clouds,
with tremulous vibrations.
as if shivering from the cold and chattering teeth
there on top of her frozen head.
As for Scrooge...
dined melancholy in the usual melancholy tavern.
And then…

(Scrooge appears, stopping in front of the imaginary door of his house. As the narrators recount what is happening, he shows amazement at what he sees and steps back each time the narrators pronounce Marley's name.)

ALL NARRATORS (slowly and rhythmically):
– … when he went back to the house,
at the entrance door,
well in the latch it showed
a very pale face
who was looking at him closely.
It was Marley! It was Marley!
It was Marley who was there!

SCROOGE (trying to calm down): — Oh, that's nonsense!

ALL NARRATORS (several times, like an echo): – Oh, that's nonsense! Nonsense… Nonsense… Nonsense… Nonsense…

(Scrooge looks around, startled by the echo, and begins to search the house.)

ALL NARRATORS (slowly, following Scrooge's movements):
- There was nothing under the table...
not under the sofa.
There was nothing under the bed...
not even inside the bathrobe. (speeding up a little)
But at the bottom of the hearth,
each of the tiles
made the pale face appear
who certainly looked at him!
It was Marley! It was Marley!
It was Marley who was there!

SCROOGE (trying to calm down): — Oh, that's nonsense!

(A bell starts to ring, and then several bells chirp. They stop suddenly, all together. The narrators are gone. There are heavy footsteps and a rattling of chains. Scrooge's eyes widen and he steps back.)

SCROOGE: – They say that in haunted houses the ghosts drag chains… But I don't believe it. It's pure nonsense.

(Marley's ghost appears, dressed as he used to, but covered in chains and sets of keys.)

SCROOGE (amazed): It's Marley! Is it really Marley?…

(Scrooge makes a doubting gesture and turns away. The ghost takes another step with the clanking of chains. Scrooge turns to face him again and begins to look at him in amazement.)

SCROOGE: – He's transparent... He's all transparent... They said Marley was a man without guts... (struggling with his senses) But I still don't believe it. (Resolving himself, he talks to Marley): – What is… what do you want from me?

MARLEY (ghostly voice): – Sooooo…

SCROOGE: Who are you?

MARLEY: - Ask me what I was...

SCROOGE: Who were you then?

MARLEY: In life I was your partner Maaarley.

SCROOGE: Oh, come on!

MARLEY: You don't believe me?

SCROOGE: – No!

MARLEY: Do you doubt your feelings?

SCROOGE: Yeah, that's right. Anything affects the senses. An upset stomach, for example. You could be a piece of meat I didn't digest well, or some undercooked potato, or some mustard sauce… Yeah. I really think there's more sauce on you than there are keys on your chain, whoever you are (looking teasing but afraid).

MARLEY (shaking the chains): – Aaaahhhnnnn!!!

SCROOGE (kneeling down with folded hands): – Have pity on me, terrible apparition! Why did you come to disturb me?

MARLEY: Earth-souled man, do you believe me or not?

SCROOGE: Yes, yes. But why do souls walk the earth and why do they come to me?

MARLEY: Every man is required to approach other men his brothers and walk among them. If you don't do it in life, you have to do it after death. He is condemned to wander through the world – oh wretch of me – and to see what he did not share, and which he could have shared on earth, becoming happy. Aaahhhnn… (shakes the chains)

SCROOGE (shaking): Why do you carry that chain?

MARLEY: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it myself, link by link, yard by yard. Does your model look strange to you? Or do you know the weight and measure of the chain you carry yourself? You've been working pretty hard on it. It's a heavy chain!

(Scrooge looks around for his own chain.)

SCROOGE (distressed): — Oh, old Marley, say something to comfort me!

MARLEY: Scroooooge! Solace comes from other regions, by other messengers and to other men. I have little time left, and I cannot stop, nor rest. In life, my soul never crossed the boundaries of our den of business. And I still have many journeys ahead.

SCROOGE: You must have been slow with that, Marley.

MARLEY: – Really slow…

SCROOGE: – Seven years ago and always wandering…

MARLEY: Always wandering, trapped, chained, haunted by remorse. Woe is me! To have ignored that any Christian spirit, acting with kindness, finds life too short to spread good! Why, at Christmas, among the happy crowd, did I walk with my eyes lowered, without lifting them in search of the blessed star that led the three wise men to the manger where Jesus was born? Listen to me. My time is running out.

SCROOGE: - Speak up, but please don't distress me anymore!

MARLEY: I came here tonight to warn you that you still have hope of escaping a fate like mine.

SCROOGE: Oh, you've always been a good friend to me, Marley.

MARLEY: Three Spirits will come to visit you, Scrooge.

SCROOGE (disappointed): – Oh… Is that the hope you were telling me about? I… I wish it wasn't.

MARLEY: Without them you can't escape. When the clock strikes 1 o'clock, wait for the first.

SCROOGE: Can't they all come at once to settle the matter?

MARLEY: – No. Goodbye! Take a good look at me and remember what happened between us.

(Marley's ghost retreats. Scrooge stands there, startled, then recovers. He tries to doubt it once more, but fear shuts him up.)

SCROOGE: – Oh, that's silly… (covers mouth with hand)

(Scrooge, now more humble, prepares to go to bed. He takes off his shoes, puts his robe over his clothes, cap or cap. Then he lies down and sleeps.)

 

END OF CHAPTER 1

 

(to be continued)

 

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