Old Scrooge: A Christmas Carol In Five Staves Part 1

Old Scrooge: A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.

by Charles A. Scott.

_COSTUMES._

_Scrooge._ First dress: Brown Quaker-cut coat, waistcoat and pants. Dark overcoat. Low-crowned, broad-brimmed hat. Black silk stock and standing collar. Bald wig with tufts of white hair on each side. Smooth face. Second dress: Dressing gown, cotton night-cap and slippers.

_Fred. Merry._ First dress: Walking suit, overcoat, black silk hat. Black silk stock and standing collar.

Side whiskers. Second dress: Dress suit.

_Bob Cratchit._ Long-tailed business coat of common material, much worn, and b.u.t.toned up to the neck.

Woolen pants and waistcoat of check pattern. Colored scarf and standing collar. Large white comforter.

Narrow-rimmed silk hat, old style and the worse for wear. Smooth face.

_Ghost of Marley._ Drab cut-away coat and breeches.

Low-cut single-breasted vest. Ruffled s.h.i.+rt. White neckcloth. Drab leggings. Gray, long-haired wig, with queue. s.h.a.ggy eyebrows.

_Spirit of Christmas Past._ White tunic trimmed with flowers. Fles.h.i.+ngs. Jeweled belt around waist. Long white hair hanging loose down neck and back. Jeweled star for forehead. White conical hat, very high, carried under the arm. Smooth, pale face--no wrinkles.

Wand of holly.

_Spirit of Christmas Present._ Green robe bordered with white fur. Fles.h.i.+ngs. Trunks. Brown hose.

Dark-brown curls. Holly wreath for the head.

_Mumford._ Overcoat. Under suit of the period--1840.

Black silk hat. White neckcloth and standing collar.

Gray, long-haired wig. Smooth face. Spectacles.

_Barnes._ Blue cloth over and under coats. Black silk hat. Black silk stock and standing collar. Iron-gray short-haired wig. Mutton-chop whiskers. Walking stick.

_Topper and Snapper._ Dress suits of the period--1840.

_Peter Cratchit._ Jacket or short coat. Very large standing collar and neckerchief.

_Little Cratchit._ Calico s.h.i.+rt. Short trousers. Shoes and stockings. Ap.r.o.n.

_Tiny Tim._ Same as Little Cratchit, with the addition of a jacket.

_Scrooge's former self._ First dress: Cutaway coat.

Knee breeches. Second dress: Cape coat. Hessians.

_Ignorance and Want._ Clad in rags. Fles.h.i.+ngs.

_Old Joe._ Gabardine or long-skirted coat. s.h.a.ggy wig and beard. Old smoking cap.

_Mrs. Cratchit._ Plain black or brown dress. Cap and ap.r.o.n.

_Mrs. Merry, Kemper and Misses Kemper._ Handsome house dresses of the period.

_Misses Fezziwig._ Low-necked dresses with short sleeves.

_Mrs. Badger._ Plain walking dress. Bonnet and shawl.

_SCENERY, FURNITURE and PROPERTIES._

ACT I.

SCENE I.--Scrooge & Marley's Counting House, 1st G.

backed by an interior 2d G. Set fire-place--painted grate fire L. Window in flat L. C. Double doors in flat, thrown open, R. C. Scrooge's desk and chair near window--ruler, pens, ink and paper on desk. Bob Cratchit's Desk in inner room in sight of audience.

Lighted candles on both desks. Scuttle of coal near fire place. Clothes hooks on flat for Scrooge's hat and great coat. Coal shovel for Bob to enter with.

Subscription list for Mumford to enter with.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Hand]Clear stage of desk, chair and scuttle.

SCENE II.--Scrooge's apartments 3d or 4th G. Door L.

C. and window R. C. in flat, backed by a street scene.

Small grate fire and mantel L. 2. Old-fas.h.i.+oned clock and two plaster casts on mantel. Door R. 2. Table L.

C. Lighted candle, spoon, basin and writing materials on table. Saucepan of gruel on hob. Two easy chairs near fire place. Lights down. Fender at fire. Ringing bells of place. Scrooge's hat and coat hung on the wall. Chain made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, purses, etc., for ghost to enter with.

Toothpick for Scrooge to show. Trap ready for ghost to disappear.

ACT II.

SCENE I.--Scrooge's bed room 1st G. Chimney C., with painted coal fire. Door L. C., window R. C. Trap near hearth for Spirit of Christmas Past to enter. Small four-post bedstead with curtains L. Bureau or washstand R.

SCENE II.--An old school room 3d G. Door L. C., and window R. C. in flat. Chair at window. A stuffed parrot on stand near R. 3. Two or three school desks, a platform and desk for the master; books for young Scrooge.

SCENE III.--A wareroom, full depth of stage. An elevated platform, centre of flat, for the fiddler.

Old-fas.h.i.+oned arm chair at L. 2, for Mrs Fezziwig.

SCENE IV.--Plain room, 2d G. No properties.

SCENE V.--Drawing room, 5th G., trimmed with evergreens. A Christmas tree, trimmed and lighted, R.

U. E. Ornaments on mantel. Fireplace L. Suite of parlor furniture. Centre table C. Toys for children--doll and doll's dress for Belle. Trap ready for spirit to disappear.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--A room in Scrooge's house, 1st G. Flat painted to show game, poultry, meats, etc. Torch, shaped like a cornucopia for Spirit of Christmas Present.

SCENE II.--Bob Cratchit's home--Plain room 4th G. Door R. and L. C., backed by kitchen flat. Dresser and crockery C. of flat. Fireplace L. U. E. Saucepan of potatoes on fire; six wooden or cane-seat chairs; a high chair for Tiny Tim. Large table C.; white table-cloth; large bowl on side table R.; three tumblers and a custard cup without a handle. Nuts, apples and oranges on dresser. Small crutch for Tiny Tim to enter with. Goose on dish for Peter to enter with.

SCENE III.--A street mansion with lighted windows showing shadow of a group inside, 1st G. Snow. Torch and ladder for lamp lighter.

SCENE IV.--Drawing room 4th G. Arch 3d G. Handsome suite of furniture. Large table R. Sideboard with wine and gla.s.ses at flat C. Piano L. 2d E. Coffee-urn and cups on small table R. 3d E. Piano-stool, music stand.