A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is easily one of the most famous and oft-produced stories in existence, with new film, television and stage adaptations being released regularly. The themes, morals and characters have become a part of common knowledge and a favourite part of the Christmas tradition. We thought it would be fun for drama on the waterfront to take a look at some of the representations of Dickens' ghosts over the years and across the mediums and adaptations ...
Marley's Ghost
Jacob Marley was the business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge and died 7 years before the action of A Christmas Carol. He is the first spirit to visit Scrooge and announces the imminent arrival of the others.
Original illustration from the 1843 first edition of A Christmas Carol.
From the 1954 TV musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, with Basil Rathbone as Marley's Ghost.
From the 1984 TV movie of A Christmas Carol, with Frank Finlay as Marley's Ghost.
A collectable figurine of Marley's Ghost.
An artist's interpretation of Marley's Ghost on deviantart (dreammiadream).
The Ghost of Christmas Past
This is the first of the three spectres that Marley predicted would visit Scrooge. It shows him scenes from his past that occurred on or around Christmas, in order to demonstrate to him the necessity of changing his ways, as well as to show how Scrooge came to be the person he was.
Original illustration from the 1843 first edition of A Christmas Carol.
Michael Dolan as the Ghost of Christmas Past in a 1951 film adaptation.
Bill Murray as Frank Cross and David Johansen as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 film Scrooged.
Joel Grey as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Patrick Stewart as Scrooge in the 1999 TV movie adaptation.
The Ghost of Christmas Past in the 2009 animated feature film, with Jim Carrey voicing the three Christmas ghosts and Ebenezer Scrooge.
The Ghost of Christmas Present
The second of the three Christmas ghosts to visit Scrooge. The spirit transports Scrooge around the city, showing him scenes of festivity and also deprivation that were happening as they watched, sprinkling a little warmth from his torch as he travels.
Original illustration from the 1843 first edition of A Christmas Carol.
Edward Woodward, left, as the Ghost of Christmas Present and George C. Scott as Scrooge in the 1984 TV movie.
Carol Kane's Ghost of Christmas Present (with Bill Murray as Frank Cross) departed from the usual depiction in the 1988 film Scrooged.
Jim Carrey voiced both the Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge in the 2009 animated film.
A collectable figurine of the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
The last spirit to visit Scrooge and the most sinister. This ghost never speaks, and shows Scrooge a series of scenes that convince him to change.
Original illustration from the 1843 first edition of A Christmas Carol.
Mr. Magoo pleads with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in the 1962 animated TV movie Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in the 1983 animated film Mickey's Christmas Carol.
Michael Caine as Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in the 1992 film The Muppet's Christmas Carol.
An artist's interpretation of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come on deviantart (BenjaminVaughan).
Ray Henwood's A Christmas Carol is on in Circa Two until 21 December. Tickets are available online at www.circa.co.nz or by calling the Circa Box Office at 801-7992.
