'Tis the season — every year at this time — for the various renderings of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
It might come as some surprise to learn that when Dickens himself performed A Christmas Carol, he didn't do it as it's written. And during this holiday season, you can see the proof. The original "proof" manuscript is currently on display at the New York Public Library this holiday season, complete with the markings to cue Dickens when he performed the piece. See this gem by following the link below:
Looking over the Shoulder of the Creator of “A Christmas Carol”
Additional articles of interest are :
From Dickens Himself, Notes On 'A Christmas Carol'
A Christmas Rewrite, as Dickens Edits Dickens
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=619&lid=45