A Christmas Carol (Barlow)

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

A Christmas Carol (Barlow)

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 3m

Patrick Barlow

Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life.

A Christmas Carol (Barlow)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Christmas/Holiday
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
A Christmas Carol (Barlow)

Details

Summary
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Barlow's A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation.
History

Patrick Barlow's A Christmas Carol premiered at the Delaware Theatre Company in December 2012, under the direction of Joe Calarco. 

Keywords
Performing Groups
ACTOR ONE (M)
Ebenezer Scrooge - standard English - 50-60

ACTOR TWO (M)
Bob Cratchit - cockney - 40
Marley - standard English - 50-60
Young Scrooge - standard - 16-19
Little Scrooge - standard - 8
Katie Cratchit - cockney - 9
Boy in street - cockney - 12
Frederick’s children - standard - 3-12
Various narrators, carol singers, debtors, spirits, skaters, ghostly helpers etc.

ACTOR THREE (F)
Mrs Lack - cockney - 40
Lavinia Bentham - standard - 35
Mrs Grimes - Northern English - 60
Fanny - standard - 18
Isabella - Sweet spoken Irish - 18-28
Spirit of Christmas Present - cockney/Music Hall/various 60
Frederick's Housemaid - cockney - 30
Various narrators, carol singers, debtors, spirits, skaters, ghostly helpers etc.

ACTOR FOUR (F)
Hermione Bentham - standard - 35
Spirit of Christmas Past - standard - 40
Constance - standard - 30
Mrs. Cratchit - cockney - 40
Scrooge's mother - standard - 40
Various narrators, carol singers, debtors, spirits, skaters, ghostly helpers etc.

ACTOR FIVE (M)
Frederick - standard - 35
Mr Grimes - Northern English - 60
Mr Fezziwig - Irish - 50
George - standard - 30
Peter Cratchit - cockney - 15
Abigail Cratchit - cockney - 9
Tiny Tim - cockney - 7
Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come - standard - 50
Passer-by - cockney - 20
Various narrators, carol singers, debtors, spirits, skaters, ghostly helpers etc.

This play is written specifically for five actors. Three men and two women. One actor plays Scrooge throughout. Everybody else plays everybody else.

  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Setting London, England. Mid-1800's. 
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

REVIEWS

"‘Tis the season for adaptations of Charles Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol, and if you think you’ve seen it all before, just wait until you see Patrick Barlow’s new adaptation...True to its source (a ghost story, after all), it has its frightening moments as well, beautifully done. And then there are the small touches that set this adaptation apart from Dickens’ original: the occasional anachronistic phrasing, fourth wall disintegration, and a dash of puppetry. No matter how many times you’ve experienced A Christmas Carol this version is not one to miss." - Stage Magazine, Read More

"From a certain angle, A Christmas Carol is a story about storytelling...This aspect of the Charles Dickens classic is the driving force behind playwright Patrick Barlow’s new adaptation...The entire show is performed by five actors, most of whom play multiple roles. Every time they switch characters, we’re reminded that we’re watching a live story unfolding in front of us." - TDF Stages, Read More

"Patrick Barlow injects a lot of humor into the piece. This comedy takes place because Barlow doesn’t keep strictly to the original text as he take liberties with language, the situation and, of course, the mood of the play." - Saratogian Theatre, Read More

"A Christmas Carol focuses on the political and social side of Victorian England, illuminating the joys and holiday traditions more than the religious view. As Scrooge claims at the end, "For we are all of us upon this earth a great family all together, Sir! Are we not dear Bob!," this is a entrancing and enlightened way to get into spirit of the season." - Curtain Up, Read More

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Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

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Authors

Patrick Barlow

Patrick Barlow

Besides his version of Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur, Patrick Barlow’s Olivier-nominated adaptation of A Christmas Carol has played off-Broadway and London’s West End while his 4-person adaptation of The 39 Steps has played in over forty countries worldwide, winning Olivier, Helpmann ...

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