“I need money!” - Charles Dickens 1843

Dickens was forever short of money.  Despite fame and phenomenal success, his fears about his economic future as a journalist and a novelist always plagued him.  He made matters worse by always living beyond his income.  By the end of 1841 Dickens, fearing over-exposure and exhaustion, decided, with his publisher Chapman and Hall, to tour The United States.  Dickens agreed to keep a notebook and write about the journey upon his return.  Chapman and Hall agreed to sponsor the tour.  This was a gamble, for unless the new novel was a great success, then Dickens would be in debt to his publisher to the tune of £1800.

Unfortunately, “American Notes for General Circulation”, published in October 1842 did not sell as well as anticipated.  Neither did “Martin Chuzzlewit” begun in November 1842.  By the Autumn of 1843, Dickens’ income was falling.  It became imperative for him to write something that would be an immediate commercial success.  In a letter of the 24th October, 1843, Dickens described his latest venture as a “little scheme”.  His use of the word “scheme” is a telling indication that he was thinking in terms of a business plan as much as a literary creation.

The scheme was “A Christmas Carol”.  It had to make money.  But did it?

Come and see the play to find out.