STEP INTO CHRISTMAS by Shaun Blake
A SMITH SCRIPT
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A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas
A Jukebox Musical by Shaun Blake
Based loosely on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
1 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 CHARACTERS Doubling up is optional in many cases. Only Edward and Charly definitely cannot double. Male Edward Scrooge: The Owner and Manager of Dickenco Web Design Ltd and a ruthless businessman. Robbie Juniper: Web Designer of Dickenco and a nice family man and father Pete Juniper: Robbie and Lesley’s oldest son Timmy Juniper: Robbie and Lesley’s youngest son Jake Morley: Edward’s deceased business partner (a ghost) Freddie Scrooge/Young Scrooge: Edward’s Nephew (and actor doubles as the Edward’s younger self) Mr Fuzzy/”Arnold”: Fuzzy is Edward’s former boss, friendly and pleasant. “Arnold” is a crazy last minute shopper who is meant to resemble Arnold Schwarzenegger……well sort of Ghost of Christmas Present Ghost of Christmas Future (can be female as the character is masked and does not speak) Joe (can be same actor as Fuzzy/Arnold) Thief Female Lesley Juniper: Robbie’s wife and mother Linda Juniper: Robbie and Lesley’s daughter Emma O’Hara: Edward’s former fiancée. Freya Scrooge: Edward’s sister. Rebecca Scrooge: Freddie’s wife Ghost of Christmas Past Charity Collectors Charly – Narrator of the show. Also plays Mrs Carton. Staff members, town bustlers etc.
2 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 SYNOPSIS A Christmas Song opens on Christmas Eve in London (Step into Christmas), several years after the death of Edward Scrooge's business partner, Jake Morley. Edward, a successful business man and owner of a web design company, dislikes Christmas and refuses a dinner invitation from his nephew Freddie. He turns away a group of ladies who seek a donation from him to a charity who provide shelter and Christmas dinners for the less fortunate (Mary’s Boy Child). He only grudgingly allows his overworked, underpaid web designer, Robbie Juniper, Christmas Day off with pay just to conform to the social expectations and to avoid ruining his company’s reputation (Yeah It’s Christmas). That night Edward is visited at home by Jake's ghost. Jake tells Edward that he has a single chance to avoid the same fate as his own: he will be visited by three spirits and must listen or be cursed. (A Spaceman Came Travelling) The first spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Past, takes Edward to Christmas scenes of Edward's childhood, reminding him of a time when he was more innocent. The scenes reveal Edward's lonely childhood at school, his relationship with his beloved sister Freya, and a Christmas party hosted by his first employer, Mr Fuzzy, who treated him like a son. Scrooge's neglected fiancée Emma is shown ending their relationship, as she realises that he will never love her as much as he loves money. (Last Christmas). Finally, they visit a now-married Emma with her large, happy family on the Christmas Eve that Jake died. Scrooge, upset by hearing Emma's description of the man that he has become, demands that the ghost remove him from the house. (What If) The second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, takes Edward to a joyous city shopping centre with people Christmas shopping and to celebrations of Christmas for people in the city (Merry Xmas Everybody). Edward and the ghost also visit Freddie's Christmas party who proceed to mock Edward behind his back (Fairytale of New York). A major part of this journey is taken up with Robbie’s family feast (Driving Home for Christmas) (All I Want for Christmas Is You) and introduces his youngest son, Timmy, a happy boy who is seriously ill. The spirit informs Scrooge that Timmy will die unless the course of events changes. The third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Future, shows Edward a Christmas Day in the future. The ghost reveals scenes involving the death of a disliked man whose funeral is attended by local businessmen only on condition that lunch is provided. His own staff steal his possessions to sell to get rich themselves (Thank God Its Christmas). When he asks the spirit to show a single person who feels emotion over his death, he is only given the pleasure of a poor couple who rejoice that his death gives them more time to put their finances in order. When Scrooge asks to see tenderness connected with any death, the ghost shows him Robbie and his family mourning the death of Timmy (Stay Another Day). The ghost then allows Scrooge to see a neglected grave, with a tombstone bearing Edward's name. Edward pledges to change his ways (Mad World). Edward awakens on Christmas morning a changed man. He makes a large donation to the charity he rejected the day before, anonymously sends a large turkey to the Robbie’s home for Christmas dinner and spends the afternoon with Freddie's family. The following day he gives Robbie an increase in pay and begins to become a father figure to Timmy. From then on Edward treats everyone with kindness, generosity and compassion, embodying the spirit of Christmas. (Do They Know It’s Christmas)
3 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 The songs are all either Christmas songs or general songs that happened to have been released in December and therefore made the Christmas charts (even if they were not specifically Christmas songs) I have suggested arrangements or versions to use but feel free to use your own ideas with these.
SUGGESTED SONG LIST: 1. STEP INTO CHRISTMAS – Elton John (Mac Huff Arrangement) 2. MARY’S BOY CHILD – Boney M 3. YEAH IT’S CHRISTMAS – Robbie Williams 4. A SPACEMAN CAME TRAVELLING – either Chris De Beugh or Smokie 5. UNDERNEATH THE TREE – Kelly Clarkson (Ed Lojeski or Mac Huff Arrangement) 6. LAST CHRISTMAS – either Taylor Swift or Ashley Tisdale version 7. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE – Shakin’ Stevens (either Hans Reintjes or Matt Lammin arrangement) 8. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK – The Pogues and Kirsty McAll 9. WHAT IF – Kate Winslet 10. MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY – Slade (or feel free to use Steps version for harmonies) 11. DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – Chris Rea 12. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU – Mariah Carey 13. THANK GOD ITS CHRISTMAS – Queen 14. STAY ANOTHER DAY – East 17 (or Kylie Minogue, or Girls Aloud) 15. MAD WORLD – Michael Andrews and Gary Jules 16. DO THEY KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS – Band Aid
4 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 ACT 1
SCENE 1
The scene is set in modern day London, and we open with a very hustle bustle busy London town all ready with Xmas trees and decorations out and about and people are doing their shopping etc. People on phones taking photos etc.
SONG 1
“STEP INTO CHRISTMAS” – CHARLY (solos) and COMPANY
(Dialogue)
CHARLY
(In a cockney accent) Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this grand extravagant story we have for you tonight. Consider yourselves right at home. Who will buy this glorious story? This will be a tale of one city as it were. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Hang on, you may be wondering why I’m talking like this me old chums? (stops the accent) Ok, ok, I can’t be bothered with this cockney anymore. Did the director seriously expect me to speak like that the whole evening? Who do they think I am, Dick Van Dyke? Honestly where do they get these people? Directors eh? Who would have them. All they do is order us about on stage “move to this position and then you give that actor the prop and then you move over here and pick up the telephone and then and then” blah blah blah. Can we not just do some improve once in a while? Anyway, I have this one story. This one director of a play I once did……..
PASSERBY
Hey will you just get on with it already?
CHARLY
Ah ok. Yes Charly. Focus on this play. We’re right here now in (town/city the play is taking place) and I only have about 2 hours to get you through this story. So fasten your seatbelts and …. Actually no you don’t have seatbelts. That was another play. Focus Charly. Anyhow. This is A Christmas Song. A fab musical with all the Christmas songs you’re already familiar with, so hope you enjoy. Welcome to London everyone!!
(Sings)
So it’s Christmas Eve and looky here.
(A man comes on stage who resembles Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Jingle All The Way” well maybe not quite, it can be a poor resemblance)
ARNOLD
Stop!! I need one of those Turbo mans!
SHOPPER
What are you talking about, that Turbo man is mine.
5 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 ARNOLD
I’m a Cop you Idiot!
SHOPPER
Really?
ARNOLD
No! Now give it here!
SHOPPER
Get out of here you crazy man!
ARNOLD
Get back here
CHARLY
So yes things are a bit crazy out and about. And I’d say everyone’s cheery
(Another group of people look happy as they walk across, interacting like a family/friends)
Well most people at least. I guess I should probably tell you, what’s happening in this building. Well this is the offices of Dickenco Web Design Ltd. See I got that right first time. Just a web design company nothing special lets move on (exits)
(re-enters a little while later)
Ummm. Isn’t there supposed to be a scene change here? No? You mean we can’t skip this character and this crummy company? (sigh) ok I’ll do it properly. See there’s no Christmas happening here. The boss, what is he, CEO? Chairman? Director? I have no idea what his actual job title is. But yeah for the purposes of my knowledge, or lack there of, I’m just gonna refer to him as boss. You ok with that? No tough, that’s what I’m offering. Deal or no deal.
EDWARD (off stage)
Just get on with it!
CHARLY
Sorry I am such a waffler. So the story here is, Edward begun his business with a partner. Jake Morely his name was. But recently, Morely passed away. The circumstances of his passing were somewhat, unexplained and mysterious. I think it must have shaken Edward. Or was Edward always such a misery guts in the first place? Only one way to find out. Ok, let’s have a look inside Dickenco Web Design Ltd
Scene change
6 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2
SCENE 2
(We open into an office environment. Edward is addressing his employees in a staff meeting.)
STAFF MEMBER 1
Phew only just got here on time.
STAFF MEMBER 2
Someone had too much to drink last night?
STAFF MEMBER 1
Had to make the most of it. If it weren’t for last night I would have completely forgotten Christmas was coming up at all
STAFF MEMBER 2
I understand we have to keep working as usual, but come on seriously, no tree or decs. Cards forbidden. Forbidden. That’s just going too far.
STAFF MEMBER 3
It’s like this every year you know
STAFF MEMBER 1
Really?
STAFF MEMBER 1
EDWARD
Right everyone! Laptops at the ready. Phones at the ready. Hurry up, we haven’t got all year! Get a move on. Ok, is everyone set? We begin this meeting with good news, another success for our business. We’ve just secured our biggest contract yet. We’re now going to be the new web designers for Hightime Hotels LTD. That’s the biggest Hotel organisation we’ve ever secured!
STAFF MEMBER 2
But sir, aren’t they fraudulent?
EDWARD
No, where did you hear that rubbish. In some stupid play? Now as it happens their current website is the most awful thing I’ve ever seen. So we need a complete. Hey, Robbie, why are you so late (tapping his watch)
ROBBIE
Sorry sir, I was only 3 minutes late. Tim wasn’t very well and I needed to take care of him before I could leave the house.
EDWARD
You have a wife don’t you? She can do it all, that’s what women are bloody for!
ROBBIE
I was just trying to be helpful
7 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 EDWARD
Well I mark that 6 minutes late
ROBBIE
Ummm how is that?
EDWARD
Because I can see on my phone that you arrived at the entrance at 9:03, but my clock on my phone says 9:06 because I set it fast for my own convenience and this place runs on my clock because I am in charge. And as always, I change the time on my clock back to the real time at lunchtime so people have an extra three minutes at work for nothing.
ROBBIE
Ok, I’m sorry I’ll work a bit more at the end to make up for it
EDWARD
Nah its ok, you’ve done a good job lately before this. I think this calls for a celebration. Wanna join me in a quick toast? (Pours a drink for himself and Robbie)
ROBBIE
But it’s the beginning of a work day
EDWARD
I think we can let lose once in a while.
ROBBIE
Really
EDWARD
Yeah take it you’ve earned it
ROBBIE
Thanks
EDWARD
Ok cheers (bangs glasses together, Robbie takes a sip but Edward puts his drink down)
ROBBIE
Aren’t you having yours?
EDWARD
Course not it’s a work day. But you just drank alcohol at work so that will have to go on your disciplinary report along with your tardiness.
ROBBIE
Wait what?
EDWARD
Don’t you fall out of line again today, you hear!
8 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2 ROBBIE
But (about to protest but changes his mind after seeing Edward’s face)…..yeah ok
EDWARD
As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by the office drunkard, Hightime Hotels Ltd’s website is so awful that will need a complete re-design from scratch. And it must be done ASAP or otherwise they will lose business, which means we will lose business. And if we lose business, then we lose money. And whats the most important thing in the world?
STAFF MEMBERS (half heartedly)
Money….
EDWARD
Right, so we will all be working overtime to complete this project. Hey are you two talking in the back while I’m speaking?
STAFF MEMBER 2
Sorry sir.
EDWARD
What is that you’re holding?
STAFF MEMBER 2
Nothing Sir
EDWARD
Give me that! I see, some people decided to have their own Christmas Party did they?
STAFF MEMBER 1
It’s ok sir we did this off our own expense. We didn’t do this with any organisation money. We know you didn’t authorise us to have a party so we did one ourselves.
EDWARD
I should certainly hope not. What a waste of good profits. Christmas, pah. What a load of crap.
So as I was saying we all need to work an extra hour a day, with no additional pay. But there will be a reward in the long run. For me at least anyway. Is there anything else on the agenda?
ROBBIE
Um, what about the charity fundraiser I proposed last week.
EDWARD
Humbug! Waste of time and energy. If it’s fundraising for us and our business then its ok I guess.
STAFF MEMBER 3
I’d give it up if I were you.
EDWARD
Anything else? No, good, get back to work. Competition for the best new web design for the hotel will be congratulated at the end of the day, and rewarded with 2 minutes of additional annual leave. That is all. Dismissed.
9 A Christmas Song / Step Into Christmas Version 2