Ebenezer

Scene One - A London Street

The show gets off to a jolly start in a London street, where the crowd are celebrating Christmas Eve, with the rousing opening number "Roll On, Christmas". Their cheerful mood is shattered by the arrival of Scrooge, on his way to his office, where he confronts his clerk, the downtrodden Bob Cratchit, and refuses him extra coal for his fire. Scrooge's nephew Fred pays a visit, as he does every year, to ask his uncle to dine with himself and his wife, but Scrooge, as usual, declines, railing both at Christmas and then at Fred for wasting money on getting married!

Some charity collectors appear (Cue the Samba-style Chorus number "Charity") and though the crowd give generously, the collectors are shocked by Scrooge's refusal to give even a penny, and are sent packing by Scrooge at his most curmudgeonly, in the song "I Hate Everybody". He extends his mean-minded attitude to Bob Cratchit, only allowing him Christmas Day off reluctantly. Cratchit leaves, and Scrooge too, to a short reprise of "I Hate Everybody".

Scene Two - Scrooge's Bedroom

The action switches to Scrooge's bedroom, where he is startled to be haunted by the guilt-stricken, remorseful ghost of Jacob Marley, wearing a chain made of ledgers, deeds and cash-boxes. Scrooge is told that his own chain is even longer and, through the song "Too Late Now", is warned that he has a small chance of avoiding the same ghastly fate as Jacob. He will be visited each night by three Ghosts in turn. Scrooge is not too keen on the idea, but Marley repeats, in the reprise of "Too Late Now", that it's his only chance.

With Marley gone, Scrooge begins to bluster again, but is interrupted by the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him on a journey out of his bedroom.

Scene Three - A Schoolyard

Scrooge arrives at the school where he was a young pupil, a solitary boy, even in those days. He is joined by his little sister (the future mother of Fred), but there is no time to dwell on his childhood as the Ghost wants him to see another Christmas...

Scene Four - Fezziwig's Warehouse

Here we see the first hint of a change of heart in Scrooge, when he is transported to Mr Fezziwig's Warehouse, where young Scrooge spent the only truly happy part of his life, as an apprentice. In the Chorus song "Let's Have A Party" he sees his younger self at the jovial Fezziwig's Christmas gathering, and later, with Belle, his fianc?e, who regretfully breaks off their relationship because of Scrooge's mounting fixation on acquiring wealth. She sings "Where Is The Music?" as Scrooge reflects on what might have been.

The Ghost of Christmas Past leaves the saddened Scrooge to be replaced by the rapping Ghost of Christmas Present, with his posse of rappers, who perform the song "Christmas Present Rap" and take Scrooge to...

Scene Five - Bob Cratchit's Home

Bob and his family are starting their meagre Christmas dinner. One of Bob's family is the crippled Tiny Tim, and with the sound of "Silent Night" to evoke the heartstrings, Scrooge witnesses Tiny Tim's thanks for their Christmas celebrations.

Scene Six - Fred's Parlour

The Ghost of Christmas Present and Posse take Scrooge to his nephew Fred's house, where Fred is entertaining his dinner guests with an impersonation of Scrooge. Fred and the guests then mock Scrooge in the song "Dear Old Uncle Scrooge".

Scene Seven - A Desolate Place

The spirits show Scrooge a grim scene with two desolate children huddled together, alone and destitute, and when Scrooge asks about their welfare, the spirits shame him by quoting his own callous former remarks, then depart to the song "Exit Rap".

Scene Eight - The Market Place

The saddened Scrooge is left to face the sinister Ghost of Christmas Future; a dark, unspeaking figure, who points to the Market Place, where traders are setting up stalls. The crowd gather round the traders, discussing and celebrating the death of a much disliked man. Scrooge asks to be shown some tenderness connected with a death and is shown Bob singing "And Everyone Loved Him" - a eulogy to Tiny Tim.

Scene Nine - The Cratchits' Home

Scrooge is transported to Bob Cratchit's home, where the whole family are mourning the death of Tiny Tim. He sees the love and high regard with which they keep his memory, and how Bob struggles to maintain control.

Scene Ten - Scrooge's Bedroom

Scrooge is mortified, especially when the Ghost points out the tombstone of the unloved dead man from the Market scene. It is Scrooge's own!

Scrooge collapses in remorse, clutching at the Ghost's gown - only to wake up in his own bed, clutching his bedsheet. It is Christmas morning, with the bells ringing outside. Scrooge is both delighted and transformed. He gets an urchin to buy up the biggest turkey in the poulterer's shop and send it to Bob Cratchit. He then gets dressed and goes into the street.

Scene Eleven - The Street

The crowds are amazed at the new Scrooge, as are the Charity collectors, to whom he gives generously. There is a reprise of the song "Charity" with Scrooge leading the crowd in a Conga dance line!

Scene Twelve - Fred's Parlour

Fred is entertaining dinner guests with his Scrooge impersonation, when Scrooge enters! At first the guests are suspicious but soon warm to him as Scrooge shows his change of heart. They all raise their glasses in a toast to him as they sing a reprise of "Dear Old Uncle Scrooge" in a genuine tribute, not a send-up.

Scene Thirteen - Scrooge's Office

The next morning, Boxing Day, Scrooge's wish is granted as Bob Cratchit arrives later than he's ever done before. Scrooge does a big "rant" and Bob fears he's going to get the sack, but, with a smile, Scrooge raises his salary, promises to help Tiny Tim - and offers to buy him a new coal scuttle! With the message of goodwill giving the prospect of a brighter, happier future, the choir lead everyone into the Finale: "The Rest Of My Life", followed by the optional Curtain Reprise: "Rap And Roll On, Christmas!" Audiences will leave with a real 'feel-good' factor!

Suggested Cast List For 73 Actors

N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Non-speaking roles: 3 Fezziwig Daughters, 3 Suitors, 3 Angels, 3 Devils (all of whom sing solo or as small groups); Ragged Boy, Ragged Girl; Scrooge (as a child), Scrooge's Sister (as a child) and Spectre.

In addition: 10 actors to play Crowd members (Scenes one and eleven), who also play guests (Scenes four, six and twelve); 5 Schoolchildren (Scene three) and a choir of 8 (Scenes one, four, five and thirteen).

Suggested Cast List For 45 Actors

N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Non-speaking roles: *3 Angels (Scene two), who also play *Fezziwig Daughters (Scene four); *3 Devils (Scene two), who also play *Suitors (Scene four); 5 Crowd Members (Scenes one and eleven), who also play Guests (Scenes four, six and twelve) and a choir of 8 (Scenes one, four, five and thirteen).