| A Christmas Carol Play Act Three | 
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A Christmas Carol Play Act Three Written by: Walter Ben Hare Adapted from the famous story of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens ACT THREE (Rear curtains are drawn apart, revealing a workshop, with desk down R. facing front. Barrel up L. Sign on rear wall reads, "Fezziwig and Company." Two young men, Ebenezer and Dick, discovered happily working at desk. Fezziwig stands up L. looking off L. Waits are heard singing off L. at rear.) Waits
Christ was born on Christmas Day, Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, Light and Life and Joy is He, The Babe, the Son, The Holy One Of Mary.
Fezziwig (flinging them a handful of coins). That's right, my lads. Sing away. Merry Christmas to you.
Waits (outside). Thank ye, sir. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank ye, sir. (They sing and the song dies away in the distance.)
Scrooge (down R. with First Spirit). Why, it's old Fezziwig. Bless his dear, old heart. It's Fezziwig alive again.
Fezziwig (comes merrily down C.). Yo ho, my boys! No more work for tonight. Christmas Eve, Dick! (Throws his arms over the shoulders of the two boys.) Christmas Eve, Ebenezer! God bless Christmas.
Dick. Ay, ay, sir.
Ebenezer. Ay, ay; God bless Christmas.
First Spirit. Did you hear that, Scrooge? That is yourself—and you said God bless Christmas.
Scrooge. That's true. That was thirty years ago.
Fezziwig (bustling about). The missis and the girls are down stairs, so let's clear away before you can say Jack Robinson. (They push desk back, and decorate rear stage with strings of Christmas greens, Fezziwig talking all the time.) Yo ho! That's right, Dick. String the Christmas greens. Here you are, Ebenezer. We're going to have the merriest time in all the kingdom. (Dancing a step or two.) I'll show ye how to enjoy life. That's it. Now we're all ready. (Sings.) "Wreathe the holly, twine the bay!" Let's have lots of room. Clear away, Dick. Here comes the fiddler now.
Enter Old Fiddler. He sits on barrel at rear and starts to "tune up."
Old Fiddler. Merry Christmas, sir.
Fezziwig. The same to you, granfer, and many of 'em.
Enter Mrs. Fezziwig from L.
Mrs. Fezziwig. Lawsy, lawsy, I thought we'd be late. (Goes to the two boys and puts her arms over their shoulders.) And how's my merry boys tonight?
Dick. Finer'n a fiddle.
Ebenezer. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Fezziwig.
Mrs. Fezziwig. The same to you, dear lads.
Fezziwig. Where's the girls, mother?
Mrs. Fezziwig. Here they come, Flora, Felicity and little Fanny May.
Enter the Three Fezziwig girls with their escorts. Everybody bustles around shaking hands, wishing each other "Merry Christmas."
Fezziwig. And here's the housemaid and her cousin the baker. (They enter and are greeted by all.) The cook and the milkman, and the lonesome little boy from over the way! And Ebenezer's young lady, Miss Bella. (They enter and are merrily greeted.) And now, mother, what do you say to a rollicking game of Puss in the Corner.
(They play Puss in the Corner with much loud laughter, clapping hands, running about, etc. The Fiddler plays.)
Mrs. Fezziwig. Oh, I never was so happy in all my life. This is the real spirit of Christmas.
Fezziwig (hangs up a bit of mistletoe). And here's the mistletoe.
(They form a ring and play a ring game with much noise and confusion.)
Ebenezer (catching Mrs. Fezziwig under the mistletoe). I've got ye! (Kisses her.)
Mrs. Fezziwig. God bless the boy!
Ebenezer. And God bless the merry Christmas!
Fezziwig. And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho! For the old time Christmas dance.
(They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de Coverly or the Virginia Reel. All are dancing wildly, swinging, etc., with plenty of loud laughter, clapping of hands, etc., as the rear curtains are drawn. Note: Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the rear stage.) |