The Haunted Man & the Ghosts Bargain Play

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain Play – an adaptation of the Charles Dickens Novella
Cast of 14 plus
Duration: Around 30 minutes
The lesson of the story is summed up by the Narrator:
Maybe had we, like Mr. Redlaw, been presented with the chance of losing all mental anguish, then we may have been tempted to make the same choice as he did. But as I hope we have learned from his experience, some of the best moments in our lives come strangely from what we might see as things we would rather forget. We learn from such moments how to appreciate what has gone before or after; and so we come to understand that we need the whole picture of our lives, not just the good bits, to make us appreciate and realise what we have and who we are.
Sample Text
Mrs. Tetterby: (To husband) And to think I could have held hopes of a happy future with you! (Wailing) Why oh why did I ever think it would be a good idea to marry you? What possible gain did I hope to achieve? Biggest mistake of my life!
Mr. Tetterby: And for me, too! You needn’t think yours was the greater sacrifice! I was undoubtedly short-changed!
(Aside) Just look at this wife of mine! Talk about past your sell-by date! Fat, ageing. I should find myself another woman!
Mrs. Tetterby: (Aside) Look at that husband of mine! Common-looking, small, stooped, going bald. He really doesn’t have a lot going for him!
(To husband) And as for these children – they will be the death of me! And that might be sooner rather than later.
Mr. Tetterby: Poor people like us shouldn’t have children – given how little pleasure they give us!
Narrator: (Gasping) Are these really the same people we saw before? (Sighing) It seems we need nothing short of a miracle to reverse this unfortunate situation.
(Enter Millie)
(Everyone passes a hand across their foreheads; and suddenly start smiling again)
Narrator: Did I just say a miracle? Could Millie be our guardian angel? Judging by the total change in atmosphere, I’d say a very definite yes!
Mr. Tetterby: (Exclaiming) What was I thinking? What madness came upon me to speak to you, Sophia, my little woman, so?
Mrs. Tetterby: No, but it is I who should beg your forgiveness! How could I say such things? What was I thinking?
Mr. Tetterby: But, what state of mind was it to make me behave in such a way as to break your heart, with such hurtful words?
This is one of a series of plays based on Charles Dickens’ books, What the Dickens!
• A Christmas Carol
• Oliver Twist
• David Copperfield
• Great Expectations
• A Tale of Two Cities
• The Battle of Life
• The Chimes
• The Cricket on the Hearth