In 1843, Charles Dickens, despite being an established author, was under a lot of financial pressure, so he took time out from writing longer novels in the hopes that a short, seasonal tale would be successful. He wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks. It was first published on December 19th that year, and the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By 1844, the novella had gone through 13 printings and its popularity has continued to this day.

In the now familiar tale, miserly Scrooge, who only cares about making and keeping money, refuses to use any of his wealth to help the poor and suffering. Visited by the ghost of Marley his old business partner and then the spirits of Christmas past, present and future, Scrooge sees the error of his ways and determines to change. Awaking a new man on Christmas morning, he opens his heart--and wallet to benefit the needy, starting with his clerk Bob Cratchitt and his crippled son Tiny Tim.

Like many of Dickens’ other works, A Christmas Carol was written not only as entertainment but as social commentary. He knew all too well the appalling poverty of so many Londoners and the dreadful conditions in the factories, workhouses and debtors' prisons. This little book in particular did a great deal to change attitudes in his time, and the message of A Christmas Carol still resonates today.

There have been over a hundred screen versions of A Christmas Carol, two ballets and four operas, and countless dramatic productions, both amateur and professional, are performed every year around the world.

This version was written specially for the Rushen Players, sticking closely to Dickens' original story, themes and words, and incorporating traditional carols to evoke the warmth and charm of a Victorian Christmas.