Mrs Dilber's Christmas Carol. by Arthur M Jolly

Full length.
A reimagining of A Christmas Carol without the old rich miser in it at all, but instead centering on Mrs. Dilber - the housekeeper who takes the shirt & bedclothes from his still-warm corpse in the original - and her epic attempt to get some bedcurtains in spite of a series of ghosts and other diversions on a night adjacent to the more familiar story.
Note: There's very...
Full length.
A reimagining of A Christmas Carol without the old rich miser in it at all, but instead centering on Mrs. Dilber - the housekeeper who takes the shirt & bedclothes from his still-warm corpse in the original - and her epic attempt to get some bedcurtains in spite of a series of ghosts and other diversions on a night adjacent to the more familiar story.
Note: There's very little in the way of harsh language - "bastards" is about the worst of it - but I have now included alternate lines for school and TYA productions.
Second note: There is a RADIO PLAY version of this script available for the asking!
Last Note: The play premiered in 2022 at Loft Ensemble Theatre in Los Angeles under the former title Mrs Dilber's Fabulous Bedcurtains.
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Mrs Dilber's Christmas Carol.

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin:
    25 Mar. 2022
    “ This may not be the season to BE jolly, but it is certainly the season to READ Jolly! Arthur M, Jolly’s “Mrs. Dilber’s Fabulous Bedcurtains” is simply brilliant. Everything you know from “A Christmas Carol” is there, and then some. With Scrooge’s housekeeper as the central character, Jolly provides clever commentary on the original story, Victorian society, and our current economic imbalances. And did I mention it’s funny? Read it, you’ll see! ”
  • Molly Wagner:
    11 Jan. 2022
    “ Finally, Mrs. Dilber gets her say! I love the way that we get to see a holiday classic from the perspective of one of the most underrated characters. As she intercepts the ghosts meant for her crotchety employer she finds herself on a journey of her own. This play takes the beloved characters and flips them on their heads, poking fun at the original text and bringing a new family-friendly holiday tale for those who are burnt out with the old man always at the center of everything. ”
  • Emma Wood:
    9 Nov. 2021
    “ There's a lot to love about Mrs Dilber's Fabulous Bedcurtains. The reframing from old rich bloke Scrooge as the centrepiece of A Christmas Carol to the straight talking, working class Mrs Dilber is in itself a joy. This action packed comedy maintains much of the original story line we all know so well while bringing an entirely fresh perspective and bold changes to well loved characters (Tiny Tim can never be seen in the same way again - be warned!) Arthur Jolly's Mrs Dilber has wicked turn of phrase bound to delight audiences. ”
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Character Information

Written as a large cast - 36 speaking roles plus an ensemble - could be performed with 9 or more actors playing multiple characters, premiered with a cast of 15.

  • Mrs Dilber
    Adult,
    woman
    Mrs Dilber is the cranky housekeeper from the original story - the one who sells Scrooge's shirt and bedclothes taken from his still-warm corpse.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Doorknob
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A face in the door of Scrooge's house. Its nose is a doorknob.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Jaxob Marley
    older,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Male)
    The ghost of Jacob Marley, whose name was changed due to a typo. Pretty much as he is in A Christmas Carol, with chains and all.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ghost of Christmas Past
    child-like,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A child-like ghost.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ghost of Christmas Present
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    The bluff, hearty adult ghost in a green robe and Christmas wreath from the original story.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ghost of Christmas Future
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A silent skeleton in a dark robe.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ghost of Christmas Truce
    child,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A childlike spirit, sings in German. The Ghost of the Christmas Truce during WW1.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Bob Cratchitt
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A clerk - timid about confronting the problems around him.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Emily Cratchitt
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    The long suffering wife of Bob. She is more aware of the dangers of Tiny Tim - but societally unable to do much about it.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Tiny Tim
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Tiny Tim - the Demon Creature of Bishopsgate. A hulking monster.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Martha Cratchit
    Child ,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The eldest child of the Cratchitts. Works as a child laborer at a cotton mill.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Belinda Cratchit
    Child ,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The youngest daughter of the Cratchits - sweet and innocent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Peter Cratchit
    Child ,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A middle child of the Cratchits.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Sweet Tiny Tim
    Child ,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The familiar angelic child with the lame leg from the original story. Small role, suitable for a child actor; if ability allows, could be hoisted on Bob Cratchit's shoulders in the final scene.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Frederick
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    The nephew of a rich miser, unaware of how well off he is.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Young Ebenezer
    Child,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Ebenezer Scrooge as a young child.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Young Belle
    Child,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Childhood friend of Young Ebenezer
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Scrooge (18)
    18,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Scrooge as a young man.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Belle (18)
    18,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Belle as a young woman.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Abigail
    Young adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Sister to Belle (18)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Maureen
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    The upper class fiancée of Frederick.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Rose
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Female)
    The upper class sister of Maureen.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Topper
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably male.)
    The upper class bachelor friend of Frederick Scrooge.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Phil-Anne Thropist
    adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    An altruist of means, seeking charity for the poor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Benny Factor
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Another victorian altruist of means, seeking charity for the poor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Mr. Fezziwig
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    The bluff old Capitalist factory owner from the original story.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Mrs. Fezziwig
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    A Capitalist Co-Owner of a factory from the original story.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Mean Child
    Child,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Taunter of Young Ebenezer
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Meaner Child
    Child,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Joins in taunting Young Ebenezer
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Little Match Girl
    Child,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    A purveyor of inflammatory devices, freezing to death on a cold night.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Dr. Jekyll
    Adult,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A mad scientist who is absolutely not experimenting on himself. (He is.)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Sweep
    child,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Child chimney sweep, hawking their services on the street.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Chestnut Vendor
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    A street vendor, selling hot roasted chestnuts.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Loft Ensemble Theatre
    ,
    2022

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Loft Ensemble
    ,
    2022