A holiday musical based on stories by Charles Dickens
Angela. December 2000
Angela, December 2003
"I was feeling down and said to myself, 'Why am I even here?' Then the Overture started, and I said 'That's why I'm here!'"
A patron from the 2003 production.
A delightful new musical based on the most delightful Christmas story that Dickens never wrote -- but should have.
The Holly Tree, as Dickens wrote it, is a novelette containing the germ of a longer tale. Taking that as a starting point, I've incorporated characters, plot elements and dialogue from nearly a dozen other of Boz’s lesser known pieces, sometimes one word at a time. Every word is 100% Dickens, but it's also 100% Jacklin.
Filled with humour and music, this is perfect holiday entertainment.
The Holly Tree, as Dickens wrote it, is a novelette containing the germ of a longer tale. Taking that as a starting point, I've incorporated characters, plot elements and dialogue from nearly a dozen other of Boz’s lesser known pieces, sometimes one word at a time. Every word is 100% Dickens, but it's also 100% Jacklin.
Filled with humour and music, this is perfect holiday entertainment.
Below is the new 2024 version!
Wait For The Giants, December 2003
Harry, a bashful man, finds that his beloved Angela prefers his best friend, and decides to quietly leave his life in Victorian England for America.
Instead, he finds himself snowed in over Christmas
at the Holly Tree Inn, where his reflections on his life bring about some changes.
Along the way, we meet Tom Grig, a lamplighter with vision; Sophie, the parlour maid with plans; Mrs. Lirriper and The Major, innkeepers with an understanding; and Cobbs, whose benevolent wisdom helps Harry through his crisis.
Instead, he finds himself snowed in over Christmas
at the Holly Tree Inn, where his reflections on his life bring about some changes.
Along the way, we meet Tom Grig, a lamplighter with vision; Sophie, the parlour maid with plans; Mrs. Lirriper and The Major, innkeepers with an understanding; and Cobbs, whose benevolent wisdom helps Harry through his crisis.
"All souls aboard the Birmingham High Flyer"
from The Morning. Above, December 2000 and,
from The Morning. Above, December 2000 and,
below December 2003
"Jacklin just may have created a new holiday classic."
The Smiths Falls Record-News
The Smiths Falls Record-News
Tom's Fate, December 2003
Above: The Gifted Mooney and The Old Gent lead the dance
Sophie, The Housemaid. December 2000
Sophie, The Housemaid. December 2003
Below: You're Nobody's Enemy, December 2003
The Attack. December 2000
Musical Numbers
Act One
The Morning
A Boy’s Story
Sophie, The Housemaid
Better Than A Picter
My Poor Lirriper
Wait For The Giants
Tom’s Fate
I Saw A Man
The Morning
A Boy’s Story
Sophie, The Housemaid
Better Than A Picter
My Poor Lirriper
Wait For The Giants
Tom’s Fate
I Saw A Man
Act Two
Your First Christmas Tree
The Attack
I Married A Mermaid
Annie Laurie
You’re Nobody’s Enemy
Finale (The Morning, reprise)
Your First Christmas Tree
The Attack
I Married A Mermaid
Annie Laurie
You’re Nobody’s Enemy
Finale (The Morning, reprise)
2 acts; approx. 120 minutes plus intermission
Unit set with additions or full staging
Principals: 5 men/4 women/3 boys/2 girls;
Others: minimum 2 additional men/2 additional women; or as many as your group can muster.
Instrumentation: Piano or 13 piece orchestra
Unit set with additions or full staging
Principals: 5 men/4 women/3 boys/2 girls;
Others: minimum 2 additional men/2 additional women; or as many as your group can muster.
Instrumentation: Piano or 13 piece orchestra