The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Inspired by Dramatic Publishing’s post on Facebook today about Christmas quickly approaching, I thought I’d shamelessly post about my play The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. I think it’s a fun show with a lovely message. But then again I wrote it so I’m a bit biased. And who doesn’t like watching ghosts on the witness stand? And who knew that the big old scary Ghost of Christmas is basically Woody Allen in a shroud, complaining about everything?
“Will leave you guffawing and cheering!”
My play is both a sequel to A Christmas Carol and a retelling of it. It takes place a year after Scrooge has gone through his transformation but is now back to his old ways. And he’s suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for kidnapping, trespassing, attempted murder and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Idea of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
I wanted to do several things with The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. First, I wanted to use as many of the lines that you hear in every production of A Christmas Carol but use them in a different context. The result is you getting a retelling of the story but through different windows.
“Hilarious sequel to A Christmas Carol!”
Secondly, I wanted to take Dickens’ idea of having the Christmas spirit, the spirit of caring and giving, in our hearts, but to make sure it’s thriving every day of the year. When you think about it, Scrooge’s nephew only comes around every Dec 24th to wish his uncle Merry Christmas. Where is he the other 364 days of the year? The solicitors collect money for the poor but never show up any other time of the year. I’ve always felt that those characters are self-righteous and hypocrites for not showing up any other time of the year. Why can’t Scrooge’s nephew stop by some random Friday just because he wants to see his uncle? Why don’t the solicitors come by to collect money in summer. The poor and destitute need help all year long, not just at Christmas.
“Supreme deconstructionist wit!”
I’ve always imagined Scrooge vowing to keep Christmas in his heart all year long but then looking around in April and wondering why no one else is doing it.
I originally was just writing an adaptation of A Christmas Carol but the idea of it being a sequel hit me several months after the tragic events of 9/11, when I found myself longing for the days immediately following 9/11. Not the tragedy and horror, but the kindness and generosity shown by mostly everyone in the world. It was a truly wonderful time. Eventually, though, that kindness and generosity disappeared and we were back to our old ways.
We need the spirit of caring and giving every day.
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge’s Life
“If there’s any justice, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge will enjoy a long life in regional theaters for many Christmas seasons to come.”
“Mark Brown’s inventive and delightful play is a worthy new entry into the holiday canon.”
I’ve been very fortunate. My play has been produced around the world. One of my favorite productions was the one in Beijing, China. I think it’s cool that something I wrote here in Los Angeles ended up being produced in China. It’s a good alternative to A Christmas Carol (if I should say so myself) and I think, although it’s never been done this way, as a companion piece to A Christmas Carol. One night you see A Christmas Carol, the next night you see what happened to everyone in The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.
You can buy the script at Dramatic Publishing. And I hope you do buy it. My kid needs a new pair of shoes.
Happy holidays.
