Public Book
A Christmas Carol
50-Minute School Play Script for Kids (River Quaggy Press)
by Benjamin Yorke, Charles Dickens
About the Book
A Christmas Carol 50-minute Play Script, Adapted by Benjamin Yorke for River Quaggy Press — INCLUDES FULL ROYALTY-FREE PERFORMANCE RIGHTS. Bring Charles Dickens’ timeless tale to life on stage with a faithful, traditional adaptation written especially for children (ages 8–16). Ideal for schools, drama clubs, churches, and community groups, this lively version — complete with generous stage directions — makes Dickens’ language accessible without losing any of the festive spirit.
Perform this iconic Christmas play anywhere, anytime — no additional fees or performance restrictions. Schools and non-profit groups may edit the script, sell tickets, film their production, and share recordings of their performances. Adapted for Teachers and Youth Theatre Directors Designed with busy drama teachers in mind — and tested in a variety of schools — this classroom-friendly adaptation offers everything you need for a successful winter production.
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Flexible for Different Class Sizes
30–40 speaking roles (18 male, 9 female, 6 any-gender), plus additional ensemble lines
Numerous group scenes for larger casts
Several roles can be split to create extra speaking opportunities — including the option of three children playing Scrooge
Excellent for mixed-ability groups and new performers
For smaller casts (15–20), multiple roles can be played by the same actor
Practical and Rehearsal-Friendly
56-page script running approximately 50 minutes — can be performed as one act or two
Tested successfully in schools with cast sizes ranging from 20 to 100+
Can be performed with simple sets and props — ideal for limited budgets
Includes guidance for directors and frequent stage directions for actors
Works beautifully as a Readers Theatre text or fully staged play
One copy per student (cast and crew) keeps rehearsals running smoothly
Engaging and Age-Appropriate (Ages 8–16) — Enriched Classroom Resource
Authentic Dickensian language made accessible for middle and high school students
Full glossary to aid vocabulary comprehension and support ESL/EAL learners
Features: story summary, historical background, top tips for young performers, Charles Dickens author bio, and full character list
Ideal for integrating English, Drama, and History study units
Can include several traditional carols for casts who wish to sing
Clear, Teacher-Friendly Performance Rights
All River Quaggy play scripts come with royalty-free performance rights for schools, churches, community groups, and drama festivals
Includes permission to charge for tickets, edit your script, and record your show
Our plays are free to perform — and always will be! Make this year’s Christmas show one to remember — with a copy in every performer’s hands.
Key features
Flexible for Different Class Sizes
Benefits
30–40 speaking roles (18 male, 9 female, 6 any-gender), plus additional ensemble lines
What works well
Numerous group scenes for larger casts
Best for
Several roles can be split to create extra speaking opportunities — including the option of three children playing Scrooge
Book details
Confirmed Reader Feedback
3 confirmed reader reviews.
Practical school script
This script is easy to read and convenient to work with in a school setting. The roles can be distributed in different ways, and the recommendations for rehearsals and staging make preparing for the performance less time consuming. It is also good that the production can be adapted for different groups, including novice performers.
Wunderschöne Adaption für Kinder!
Diese Version von „A Christmas Carol“ ist kindgerecht, spannend und dennoch der Originalgeschichte treu geblieben. Ideal für Schulaufführungen oder Weihnachtsprojekte. Die Rollen sind gut verteilt, die Sprache verständlich. Absolute Empfehlung für Lehrer und Eltern!
A Small Miracle for the Big Stage
This is the kind of play that doesn't just make children run for the candy from the Christmas tree. They leave the auditorium with a special, warm, and thoughtful feeling. And for the sake of that feeling, it's truly worth doing school theater.I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to give children not just a holiday, but a real little miracle—the miracle of a human heart's rebirth.






