Description
The Cricket on the Hearth – a play adaptation of the story by Charles Dickens
The Cricket on the Hearth Play is a joyful tale about the ‘good’ becoming even better; and the ‘not so good’ an awful lot better! A real affirmation of how mankind can ‘move on’ and redeem itself – with a little help from some unlikely sources!
The ‘goal’ of these plays is to provide a simplified version of Dickens’ stories whilst staying true to their original content.
Cast of 10 (plus 5 fairies, if available!)
Narrator
Cricket
Dot: Mrs. Peerybingle
John: Mr. Peerybingle
Tilly Slowboy
‘Old gentleman’ alias Edward
Caleb
Bertha
Mr. Tackleton
May
Duration: Around 40 minutes
Sample Text
(Sound of loud chirping)
John: Just listen to that cricket. (Laughing) What a racket!
Cricket: (Indignantly) That will be me! I knew I had a pivotal part in this drama! Racket, indeed. I’ll show him, racket!
Dot: Not so! Don’t go upsetting our cricket, John. You know what they say about the little fella bringing us luck?
Cricket: That’s news to me! But if it keeps everybody happy!
Dot: (To John) You remember, this time a year ago, when this happy little cricket first greeted us to our new home? He sounded so full of promise and encouragement.
Cricket: (Sarcastically) She’ll be saying I had a chat with her next!
Dot: Saying how kind and gentle you’d be
Cricket: I did?
Dot: And how you’d never expect my head to be half as wise as your own.
Cricket: Well, there is that small matter of age difference. He’s nearly old enough to be her father!
Dot: And you have proved to be the most considerate and affectionate of husbands! Such a happy home! Bless this little cricket!
John: And so I do, Dot! So I do!
Cricket: Well, I also do my best! Nice to know I’m appreciated!
Dot: Many a time I have been comforted by this wee fella! His music and his company.
Cricket: Er, quick reality check. I don’t exactly provide classic concertos. And as for company – please don’t tell me she’s going to pretend we have long in-depth conversations with each other!
Dot: (Sighing) Ah! The number of times I have felt just a little lonely (pauses) before baby arrived, obviously! And thinking how sad it would be if I died – how lonely you’d be.
Cricket: What is it with these humans and their cheery thoughts? Oh, don’t tell me? Yours truly to the rescue? Wait for it!
Music: Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep – Middle of the Road
(Cricket singing)
Last night I heard my momma singing this song
Ooh wee chirpy chirpy cheep cheep
Woke up this morning and my momma was gone
Ooh wee chirpy chirpy cheep cheep
Chirpy chirpy cheep cheep chirp
Dot: See! How could I stay sad with this cricket to cheer me up? And then,
Cricket: There’s more?
Dot: Those times when I feared you might not learn to love me, there being a bit of an age difference between us.
John: Oh Dot! What are you saying? I loved you way before you became mistress to this wee cricket!
Cricket: A, what? Hey, I don’t like the direction this conversation is taking!
Narrator: Oh, no worries. It was, I’m sure, just a figure of speech. Here, come and sit yourself down again and let’s see what else happens in this scene.
(Aside to audience) Not much, so far! Time we had a little more action, I think! Move the plot along a little. I mean, one can only take so much of this ‘Home Sweet Home’ stuff!
Also Available:
These are also available in Readers Theater format.
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