Gilbert and Sullivan (pastiche)

A Seasonal Savoy Opera in 2 Acts. (1993)

Book adapted from Charles Dickens and lyrics from W.S. Gilbert.
Written by Patrick Redmond.

SYNOPSIS

It is Christmas Eve. While all London is celebrating the season, only Ebenezer Scrooge is lacking in festive goodwill. He declares Christmas to be humbug, and makes life miserable for his nephew, Fred, and his clerk, Bob Cratchitt. That night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Marley, who warns him of further visitations by three spirits. The first, the Ghost of Christmas Past, shows Scrooge scenes of his youth when he was apprenticed to Mr. Fezziwig, and engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Belle. Next the Ghost of Christmas Present takes him to the homes of Fred and Bob Cratchitt, to see how they are celebrating the holiday. Scrooge is touched by the plight of Cratchitt's young crippled son, Tiny Tim. Finally the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a possible future, beginning with Tiny Tim's funeral and going on to Scrooge's own death. Scrooge is overcome by remorse, and vows to reform and change his life. Next morning he discovers it is still Christmas, the spirits having made their appearances all in a single night. Rejoicing in his new found joy of life, Scrooge buys a huge turkey and invites the Cratchitts to spend Christmas with him. Everyone celebrates the change in him, and Tiny Tim blesses the company.

Solo Roles

Ebenezer Scrooge
Mrs. Cratchitt
Fred (his nephew)
Fred's wife
Bob Cratchitt
Martha Cratchitt
Ghost of Christmas Past Belle
Marley's Ghost Charwoman
Ghost of Christmas Present Laundress
Mr. Fezziwig Charity Lady
Tiny Tim Belinda Cratchitt
Auctioneer Young Fan (Young Ebenezer's sister)
Young Ebenezer
Old Joe

Chorus Townspeople, street vendors, spirits, apprentices, party guests, funeral guests, etc. (SATB) 45%

Settings

A flexible setting is required that can change almost instantly from the street to Scrooge's house and back, as well as depicting the places to which Scrooge is taken by the spirits - Fred's house, Bob Cratchitt's house, Mr. Fezziwig's and the graveyard.

Orchestration

2 flutes (1 picc.), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, strings.

Royalties 8% of ticket gross.