This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Not sure where to start? Discover all our scripts

Talk to one of our experts here

Thank you for purchasing with Stagescripts

Shopping basket 0

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Products

Need help? Contact our team here

Pair with
Subtotal Free
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

The Chimes (adapted from Charles Dickens by Derek Webb)

Derek Webb

Genre: Comedic Drama

Cast size: 11

Duration: 70 mins approx

By Derek Webb | Comedic Drama | One Act | 8m, 3f or 4m, 1f with doubling

Short synopsis

Victorian tale from Dickens.

The Chimes tells the story of humble Toby Veck, ticket porter, who spends his life running errands for other people, while trying to support his daughter Meg. Toby seems to be one of society's victims, proceeding inevitably towards death with little hope of self-determination. But, on New Year's Eve, his outlook is converted from despair to hope by the spirits of the chimes. In this new adaptation of the classic Dickens' tale, Toby learns the importance of love and hope in a most extraordinary way. 

8m, 3f or 4m, 1f with doubling

  • Toby Veck – an elderly humble ticket porter, 50s-60s
  • Meg - his daughter, 20s
  • Alderman Cute - a local magistrate with a passion for 'putting people down', 30s-50s
  • Mr Filer - a man with a passion for statistics, 30s-40s
  • Sir Joseph Bowley - a gentleman who claims to be the 'friend of the poor', 30s-50s
  • Lady Bowley - his wife who shares his ideas, 30s-50s
  • Will Fern - a young man described as a vagabond, 20s-30s
  • Butler - voice only, 30s-60s
  • Mrs Chickenstalker - Toby Veck's landlady, 40s-60s
  • Mr Tugby - the man Mrs Chickenstalker marries, 40s-60s
  • Richard - Meg's betrothed, 20s-30s
  • Vicar - 20s-60s
  • Spirit - the spirit of the Chimes
  • The Great Bell - voice only
  • Voices 1, 2 and 3
  • All parts can be played with doubling in the following way:
    • Actor 1 (m): Toby Veck (Trotty) / The Chimes (pre-recorded)
    • Actor 2 (f): Meg / Lady Joseph / Mrs Chickenstalker / Voice 2 (pre-recorded)
    • Actor 3 (m): Mr Filer / Will Fern / Butler / Voice 3 (pre-recorded) / Spirit
    • Actor 4 (m): Alderman Cute / Mr Tugby / Vicar / Voice 1(pre-recorded)
    • Actor 5 (m): Sir Joseph / Richard / Great Bell (live but through micro

"Derek Webb has done well to capture the atmosphere of Dickens' London in this short adaptation. The characters are very well defined and the moral of the story comes across very strongly. The Chimes would be a good choice for anyone looking for a seasonal production that is a little different from the norm." - Amateur Stage Review

Free

Applying for and paying royalties

To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.

To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.

[{"variant_id":"55572524499330" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55658256105858" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55658256138626" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55658256171394" , "metafield_value":""}]

The Chimes (adapted from Charles Dickens by Derek Webb)

Free
More information

If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Frequently asked questions

Can we try before we buy?

Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.

All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material  which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.

Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.

Do we need a Licence To Perform?

The simple answer is, yes.

Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.

Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?

When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.

Need help?

Contact us

If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Established for over 25 years

Unearthing future talent


Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.

We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.