I have just started adding my plays to TES (over 400)!but this will take time! All my assemblies/class plays and guided reading scripts are on www.plays-r-ussell.com and I am happy to write on request. I have converted the entire History Key Stage II curriculum into play format - and much of the other subjects such as Science, Geography, PSHE etc. I cover events such as the Olympics and have received great feedback from teachers around the world! Writing is my passion - hope you enjoy my work!
I have just started adding my plays to TES (over 400)!but this will take time! All my assemblies/class plays and guided reading scripts are on www.plays-r-ussell.com and I am happy to write on request. I have converted the entire History Key Stage II curriculum into play format - and much of the other subjects such as Science, Geography, PSHE etc. I cover events such as the Olympics and have received great feedback from teachers around the world! Writing is my passion - hope you enjoy my work!
Macbeth - Villain or Victim?
Shakespeare tragedy turned comedy? With a little help from McBinny, McGinnie and McNinnie (3 witches) Sue Russell 'turns things around' - following the original plot, but with countless laughs along the way!
Duration: Around 15 minutes (not including music suggestions)
Cast size: 27
Sample text:
(Enter Lady Macbeth, reading a letter, letting out intermittent exclamations of joy and shock)
Lady Macbeth: (Reading from letter) “they vanisht” … (Pauses) Witches, eh? My husband always did keep questionable company! (Reads) “missives from the king” … “Thane of Cawdor” .. “Hail, king that shalt be!” … (Pauses to reflect on what she’s just read) Well, well, well! It seems my husband has more going for him than I thought! Thane of Cawdor now, and soon to be king, no less! How’s that for quick promotion! Just as well he has an ‘iron maiden’ at his side! One who, unlike him, is not burdened with ‘human kindness’.(Aside) I shall make it my business to move matters along, as I see fit!
(Enter messenger)
Messenger: Excuse me, Ma’am. I am sent to inform you - The king comes here tonight.
Lady Macbeth: At such short notice? And my lord?
Messenger: He comes too!
Lady Macbeth: (Dismissing messenger with a flick of her hand) Fair enough! And fare you well!
(Exit messenger, bowing)
Lady Macbeth: The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements. (Adopts warrior ‘posture’, bracing muscles and performing pretend sword fight) Farewell, Lady Macbeth! Hello warrior woman!
(Macbeth enters, interrupting Lady Macbeth ‘in action’. Lady Macbeth ‘recollects’ herself, returning to former graceful ‘lady’)
Macbeth: (Bowing) My lady?
Lady Macbeth: (Spluttering) Who? What? Ah, tis you, my love! Fancy creeping up on me like that! You gave me quite a turn!
Macbeth: It looked like you were having ‘a bit of a turn’ yourself! Are you sure you’re all right? You look a little … agitated!
Halloween and Sleeping Beauty Assembly
'Wicked' is a Witch to be reckoned with ... so don't be fooled by her 'fairy' status!
Cast Size: 15 - 30
Duration: Around 15 minutes not including music suggestions.
I originally wrote this script for PSHE as the message behind it is 'always remember to say thank you'. I have adapted it to give it for Halloween. It can also be used at Christmas - a truly versatile script!
Sample Text
Wicked Fairy: So, what’s it to be? You doing a one-man show
(Aside to audience) And let me tell you, he’s no Michael McKintyre!
Or doing the sensible thing – and working with me?
Narrator: OK! OK! You win. (Looking at watch) Now, could you do whatever you’re going to do rather quickly otherwise this audience is going to walk!
Wicked Fairy: Very well! Here we go!
(Wicked Fairy flicks her wand in the direction of the cast and they all wake up, rubbing their eyes and yawning)
Narrator: Phew! Now we can get on with the show! So, whilst this lot wake themselves up a bit, I’ll tell you a little about today’s performance! It’s rather a nice story
Wicked Fairy: (Yawning loudly) I’m bored already!
Narrator: About a king and a queen
Wicked Fairy: Boring!
Narrator: And their longing for a child!
Wicked Fairy: Poor misguided fools! Have they no idea how much trouble children can be?
Narrator: (Angrily) Now look here, Miss …. Er um..
Wicked Fairy: You can call me ‘Wicked’!
Narrator: Miss Wicked, then! I recognise what a fine job you did waking this lot up
Wicked Fairy: And?
Narrator: But I must insist you desist from hijacking this show! This is a nice story
Wicked Fairy: So you said! And you know what? Nice really doesn’t do it for me!
Narrator: (Impatiently) Well, that’s just too bad! For your information, wicked doesn’t do it for me! (Looking pleased with himself) Ha! Ha! Touche!
Wicked Fairy: (To audience) See what I saved you from? And it’s not just his one liners that get worse!
Narrator: (Looking at watch) Now, I really must ask you to leave – now!
Wicked Fairy: Very well! But you will pay for your ill manners! Not so much as a thank you for my troubles? (To audience, stage whisper) Never fear, my revenge will be sweet! As Halloween approaches, a witch’s powers grow - getting greater and greater! (Pauses) Oh … hadn’t you guessed? This ‘Wicked Fairy’ thing is just a front – a disguise. I’m really a witch … and a very wicked one at that! See you around!
Nursery Rhymes Origins Assembly
This assembly on the origins of nursery rhymes covers ten nursery rhymes. All of these (bar one - Humpty Dumpty) are different from two other scripts on Nursery Rhymes - one (10 nursery rhymes) entitled: Nursery Rhymes Assembly for Key Stage I; and the other (20 nursery rhymes) entitled Nursery Rhymes Assembly Extended Version (which can be used by either Key Stage I or Key Stage II or both!)
Cast Size - 30 - easily adjusted up or down
Duration - around 20 minutes.
Sample Text:
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Narrator: So. I’m hoping nothing worse than an omelette?
Humpty Dumpty: (Indignantly) Not even as exciting as that! (Pauses) A cannon!
Narrator: Pardon? The most well-known nursery rhyme
Humpty Dumpty: I know! The best loved, the most popular, the
Narrator: (Irritably) Yes, yes.
(Aside to audience) I can see where the large head – make that ego - comes from!
But do tell us about this cannon!
Humpty Dumpty: Not a lot to tell, really. Apparently used in the English Civil War, placed on a wall, and, well, I don’t need to tell you the rest!
(Exit Humpty Dumpty and soldiers)
Narrator: Well, that was a bit of an anti-climax! I do hope we’ve got something better coming up before the end of this assembly.
(Sound of noisy children)
Narrator: (Looking at watch) Oh please don’t tell me its playtime already!
(Enter Old Woman waving a stick as children run around her boisterously)
(Whole cast recites nursery rhyme; Old woman and children act out lines)
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children, she didn't know what to do;
She gave them some broth without any bread;
Then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.
Narrator: (Sarcastically) Delightful!
(Aside to audience) I’ve no doubt we’ll be hearing from social services!
Old Woman: No! No! Just giving them a little discipline!
(Old Woman waves stick at Narrator who backs away quickly)
Narrator: So, who was the real Old Woman?
Old Woman: (Placing crown on her head) Ah that’s better! Queen Caroline II. I gave my husband eight children!
(Looks around) It would seem some of them got away! Grrr!
(Old Woman flails around with her stick)
Where are the little blighters?
Narrator: Long since gone, if they’ve got any sense!
Ancient Greek Myths The Gorgon's Head Assembly or Class Play
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration: around 10 - 15 minutes not including music
What was Poseidon thinking - taking on all these women? He might succeed at putting the youth Perseus in his place but a group of 'wronged women'? Never!
This is one of a large collection of Ancient Greek scripts written by Sue Russell – guided reading scripts also available.
Sample Text:
Medusa: Just like I said! Gods! Men! The bane of our lives!
Poseidon: (Clutching his forehead, muttering) I think I have a headache coming on. (Pauses)You know something? I suddenly feel just a little outnumbered! Would you ladies mind just giving me a short break?
(Exit Athene, Medusa and Danae, shrugging their shoulders)
Poseidon: Phew! Peace at last! Oh, don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against ‘the weaker sex’
(Athene comes storming back)
Music 3 War – Edwin Starr – Brief excerpt
Athene: What was that you just said? Weaker, eh? I’ll show you weaker!
(Athene strides up and down, wielding her sword)
Poseidon: (Holding hand up) OK. I apologize.
Athene: Goddess of wisdom and war!
(To Poseidon) You’d do well to remember that!
Poseidon: (Aside) As if I could forget!
(To Athene) Now, what was I saying about having a little peace?
Athene: Huh! Give me war any day!
(Exit Athene)
Poseidon: (Clutching head) Women! I knew I should never have agreed to this!
(Enter Perseus, giving Poseidon a ‘high five)
Perseus: What’s up, bro?
Poseidon: (Indignantly) Bro? I’ll give you bro!
Perseus: OK so I guess it’s Uncle, really – seeing as Zeus was my dad, and your brother!
Poseidon: Correct! So, no more bro, right?
Perseus: Fair enough! So, what’s the plan, dude?
Poseidon: (Exploding) Dude? That’s even worse than bro! What is it with you youngsters? Can’t you talk normally?
Perseus: (Sighing) OK I’ll try! I’m just not used to hanging out with oldies like you!
Poseidon: (Exploding) Now look here, young Perseus! If you and me are going to get along, you need to show a little respect!
(Enter Danae)
Danae: Perseus! Where are those manners I taught you?
Poseidon: I think he might have lost them during his travels!
Danae: Well, let’s help him find them again! Poseidon is only trying to
Poseidon: (Looking at his watch) Get this story told? Well, that’s proving a bit of a challenge!
(To Danae) No offence, madam, but you women don’t half talk a lot!
(Enter Polydectes, accompanied by ‘several’ women, all chatting and laughing)
Polydectes: (Groaning) Tell me about it! You want to try keeping them quiet in court! Once they get going there’s no stopping them!
General Election Assembly - Who should be our next prime minister?
6 weeks to go … and bored with the General Election already? Then this assembly is your perfect tonic!
As for our narrator, who would envy their task of choosing a prime minister - from a class of 30?! The choice? Football stars, movie stars, rock stars ..... and a whole lotta girl/boy attitude between the Spice 'lot' and a certain Direction! Somebody needs to tell them about equality - and who better than .... S Club 7?!
This is a very light hearted look at the coming election. The ‘possible candidates’ are a selection of celebs – chosen purely for entertainment sake.
For a more serious ‘take’, the script could be adapted to include a far more serious list of people either now or in the past e.g. Gandhi, King, Mandela, Mother Theresa etc.
Likewise, whilst dealing with the current topic of the election, this script could be used for citizenship because of its PSHE component – this latter could be extended by adding a section on ‘What would you change if you were prime minister?’
Duration: 10 – 15 minutes reading time; around 20 – 30 minutes including music suggestions.
Cast of 30 - easily adapted up or down; and characters may be replaced by children’s own choices.
Sample Text
Child 1: I think David Beckham should be prime minister!
Child 2: Nah! It’s got to be Lionel Messi!
Child 3: No! Wayne Rooney has my vote!
Child 4: Rubbish! It’s got to be Cristiano Ronaldo!
Narrator: (Blowing whistle) Excuse me! Since when did any of these footballers know anything about politics? They might be pretty good at running up and down a pitch, but running a country? I don’t think so!
(Exit Child 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Narrator: Next!
(Enter ‘athlete’ – Child 5)
Child 5: I’m here representing the world of athletics! I’d vote for Jessica Ennis!
Narrator: (To audience, sighing) What is it with kids and sport?
(To Child 5) Yes, I can see why you might think Ms Ennis would set us all a fine example
Child 5: A prime role model! An inspiration to us all!
Narrator: Yes, yes. I totally agree! But there is a difference between running along those tracks
Child 5: In record times!
Narrator: And, …..let me finish…., running the country!
(To audience) Am I having a moment of déjà vu or didn’t I just say that a very short while ago?
(To Child 5) Anyway. Thank you … but no thank you!
(Exit Child 5)
Music 3 Theme music from Doctor Who
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Take Two - or The Trial of Alice (An alternative version)
Insolent, conceited, insensitive, stupid, cruel, dishonest .... surely not the Alice that Lewis Carroll gave us?
Read on to find out how false fiction can be in this alternative take on one of our best loved classics. In this one Alice is facing those animals she met ‘down the rabbit hole’ on her first visit – in court! See how she fares under the pressure of the justice system – Wonderland-Style!
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a re-telling of the original story.
Cast of 30.
Duration: Longer version around 20 - 25 minutes; Shorter version around 15 – 20 minutes.
Sample Script:
Alice: Now look! There’s been some terrible mistake! I’m here to be queen, not prisoner!
(Whole court erupts in laughter)
Queen: (Holding her sides) Oh dear! This really is turning out to be the funniest day of my life!
King: Totally priceless, my dear!
Alice: (Sobbing) No! No! This can’t be happening. White Rabbit will tell you it as it is!
(White Rabbit just shrugs his shoulders)
Alice: Oh no! This has got to be a bad dream I’ll wake up from in a minute!
(Alice pinches herself and then cries even more)
(Mouse, Duck and Dodo stand up)
Mouse: Oh oh! She’s making one of those lakes again!
Duck: That’s how she caught us out last time!
Dodo: Playing the innocent!
Mouse: And then scaring me to death with stories of that cat!
Alice: You mean, Dinah?
(Mouse starts screaming; other two get him to sit down)
Duck: (To King) You see what I mean?
Dodo: Ah! She’s not going to get away with it a second time!
(King gestures for both to sit down)
Alice: Get away with what?
Queen: (To King) Does it matter? Off with her head!
Alice: I was wondering when you were going to get round to saying that!
King: Oh! The cheek!
(To jurors) Please note. Offence Number one – Threatening Behaviour
Alice: But I
King: Offence Number Two – Interrupting
Alice: But that’s not fair!
King: Offence Number Three – Whingeing and complaining
Alice: Hey, wait a minute
King: Offence Number Four – Speaking out of turn
(Alice is about to say something else but White Rabbit rushes over and puts his paw over her mouth)
Queen: (To White Rabbit) Thank you! She really doesn’t know when to shut up, does she?
King: No my dear! Not at all like you!
Queen: Not at all!
Alice: Huh! That’s a joke!
Queen: (Screaming) Off with her head! Off with her head!
(King ‘calms her down’ before addressing jurors again, both scribbling away trying to keep up)
King: Make that Offence Number Five – Being Insolent and Rude and
Juror 1: Please slow down a bit.
Juror 2: We’re not used to as many offences as this!
Fashion Assembly including The Emperor’s New Clothes
The story of The Emperor’s New Clothes provides the bulk of the text - with a minimum cast of 10; cast numbers are made up to 30 by the addition of numerous fashion models, plus ‘sparring’ fashion designer and narrator!
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration - reading of text around 15 minutes but this does not include music or performances - both of which can be increased to effectively double the length of the play.
Sample Text (1):
Music 1 – You’re So Vain – Carly Simon
(Whole cast files in, seating themselves in order, along two rows of fifteen, facing the audience, Narrator standing at the side throughout)
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our assembly on
Whole cast: (Together) Fashion!
Music 2 – Fashion – David Bowie
(Line of fashion models walk up and down ‘the catwalk’ in front of the audience)
Narrator: (Applauding as models return to their places) Very good! Bravo!
(To audience) But seriously! Did you see the size of those heels? I mean, how on earth do they manage to walk on such things? Impractical or what?
(Enter Fashion Designer)
Fashion Designer: (Sniffing his disapproval) Oh! Hasn’t anyone told you? It’s about how you look on that catwalk.
Narrator: (Angrily) Even if it cripples you?
Fashion Designer: Oh darling! Aren’t we being just a tad overdramatic?
Narrator: (Huffily) No, not really! I wouldn’t be able to move in those heels!
(Fashion Designer pointedly looks Narrator up and down)
Fashion Designer: No, I don’t suppose you would!
(Aside to audience) No great loss to the fashion world, right?
Sample Text (2) - from The Emperor’s New Clothes
Narrator: Once upon a time there lived an emperor who was very fond of his clothes.
(Enter Emperor and two courtiers)
Emperor: (Twirling on the spot) So, what do you think of my outfit today?
Courtier 1: (Gushing) Magnificent!
Courtier 2: (Even more gushing) Fantastic!
Emperor: (Preening himself) Oh really! Flattery will get you nowhere!
Courtier 1: (Aside) Wanna bet?
Courtier 2: We wouldn’t get far without it!
Emperor: What was that? Commenting on the quality of this wonderful fabric, no doubt?
Courtier 1: Oh, of course, majesty!
Courtier 2: The finest in the land, to be sure!
Emperor: I rather think so!
(Aside) Best not say how much it cost! More than I pay these two courtiers in a year!
(To Courtier 1) A mirror, please! It must be at least a minute since I looked at myself!
Pinocchio Pantomime
A story of redemption and self-discovery – with one small twist – well, maybe not so small when the whole plot hinges on it!
NB: This script is the Pinocchio class play adapted as a pantomime i.e. with addition of jokes, a larger than life Fairy as the Dame; and the script adjusted accordingly.
Music: there is quite an extensive playlist – 15! The choice of these numbers is totally discretionary.
Cast of 24 plus
Duration
Reading time – around 30 minutes not including music or jokes at the end.
4 scenes of approximately 5 - 10 minutes each – more with addition of jokes at the end.
Total performance time: around 40 – 50 minutes plus, depending on how much music is used and how many jokes told. The performance could be reduced substantially with omission of both music and jokes.
Sample Text:
Narrator: Ah! There you are! At last! The good fairy! We’ve been waiting for you!
Fairy: Oh, you mean this script needs something good in it? Well, I couldn’t agree with you more!
(To audience) What a load of rubbish, eh? I’ve been sitting out in the wings
(Twirling, showing off her wings)
Beautiful, aren’t they? About time you all had a treat! This has to rate as one of the worst pantos
Narrator: (Interrupting furiously) Hey! Wait a minute! Wait a minute! So where have you been, all this time we have been performing our ‘oh so terrible pantomime’?
Fairy: Where have I been, darling?
(Twirling) Do you really need to ask? (Pauses) Well, getting ready of course! A fairy must always look her absolute best at all times, especially this time of year!
Narrator: (Aside to audience) Strikes me this fairy could spend a little more time down the gym!
Fairy: (Exploding) I beg your pardon! I trust you are not suggesting I lose any of (pauses as she tries to find her waist) this exquisite figure?
Narrator: Well, it might have helped you get here a bit quicker! Things have just been going from bad to worse, here on stage!
Fairy: Oh, you mean the Pinocchio thing?
Narrator: Er yes, it is his story we are telling here today!
Fairy: Ah well, then. My timing is perfect (pauses as she minces over to the audience) … as ever! Here I am!
Narrator: Just in the nick of time! We so need you – or rather, Pinocchio does!
Fairy: Yes, I have been watching this rather sad story unravel. That puppet certainly needs all the help he can get!
Narrator: But it has to be the right kind of help. He’s been receiving an unfortunate amount of the wrong type.
Fairy: What do you mean?
Narrator: Well, I’m afraid we have a slight glitch in the plot. You see, one of the good guys has turned bad!
Fairy: Oh no! That is bad news! And who might that be?
Ocean Assembly including The Little Mermaid
This class play was originally written for Key Stage I but has a lot of additional material – FREE set of 5 Sea Life Quizzes, 350 questions and answers – that could easily be added to raise the level to Key Stage 2.
As an outline of The Little Mermaid story is included, this script falls within both the science and literature sections of the curriculum (as well as between two key stages – sorry, a little difficult to place!)
If the original story of the Little Mermaid threatens to leave you with tears in your eyes, the jokes of the supporting cast (Cranky Crab, Daft Dolphin, Cod Father just to mention a few) will soon cheer you up … or maybe reduce you to further tears!
Sample Text:
(All Sea Creatures stand up and speak to The Little Mermaid in turn)
Cranky Crab: Why did you turn your back on the ocean?
Timid Turtle: How could you leave us?
Daft Dolphin: Why go to the land
Clown Fish: When you had all that sea to play in?
Cod Father: Foolish girl!
Angel Fish: You should have kept your tail
Jiggly Jellyfish: Fancy giving it up
Scary Shark: For what? A human being?
Swishing Swordfish: A life on land?
Old Octopus: Losing your family
Saucy Stingray: Your friends
Lazy Lobster: Your everything!
Blue Whale: Why?
Barmy Barnacle: What were you thinking?
Weary Walrus: I don’t understand
Perky Penguin: You gave up so much
Deep Sea Fish 1 – Angler fish: And for what?
Deep Sea Fish 2 – Hatchet fish: Yes, tell us!
Deep Sea Fish 3 – Lantern fish: For what?
PSHE Guided Reading Scripts (Readers Theater) and Stories - Key Stage II
I. How the Butterfly Lost his Bad Temper
II. How the Butterfly Lost her Dissatisfaction
III. How the Butterfly Lost his Vanity
IV. How the Butterfly Learned to Fly
V. How the Butterfly Learned to Fly Higher
Based on Life Lessons:
1. Appreciate what you have
2. Stop ‘wanting’/looking for more
3. Recognising that external beauty is not everything
4. Just do it!
5. The importance of striving/realising your potential
Each story is followed by the guided reading script, then the discussion/question and answer session.
The stories and guided reading scripts are 5 – 10 minutes in length. Total reading time: around an hour
The 5 guided reading scripts have 2 speakers each – total of 10 altogether.
Sample Text - Guided Reading Script
Butterfly: Me too! To think what I used to be like! Thank goodness I met you!
Snail: And it was the best day of my life when I met you!
Butterfly: And to think how rude I was to you? I still can’t believe you didn’t just walk – sorry, slide – off!
Snail: And miss out on the best friendship of my life? Oh, I don’t think so!
Butterfly: But you couldn’t have known that at the time?
Snail: Well, no. But then some things, indeed most things, take time. And that’s a good thing!
Butterfly: Yes, my flitting certainly allowed no time for appreciating what I had – or what I might have, if I only stopped still long enough to see it!
Sample Text - Story
At which point that bad-tempered butterfly paused, quite suddenly; and didn’t move an inch – something unheard of for him.
And then, just as suddenly, that bad-tempered butterfly let out a great cry of joy, followed by these words.
‘Wow! My life is indeed amazing! I can fly! I have sunshine in my wings! I ..’
But at that point the bad-tempered butterfly’s expression changed from total delight to …. Well, something closely akin to sadness.
‘Forgive me. I can’t help but look at you and think – you have, well, nothing’.
Pirates Smugglers and Shipwrecks Guided Reading Scripts plus Quiz
This is a special cut-price package including:
3 scripts, with 6 speakers each:
• Pirates Ahoy! Script
• Smugglers Alert! Script
• Shipwrecks! Script
Plus
• Pirates Quiz
Pirates Ahoy!
This 'interview' draws out the main historical facts available on these characters. Additional background information is supplied at the end of the play – with a quiz (30 Q & A) to follow.
Sample Text 1: Duration around 10 minutes
Interviewer: Something tells me we’re not going to get a lot of sense out of Captain Morgan this morning!
Mary Read: Oh! Don’t you worry! You wouldn’t believe what us pirates are capable of – even after a large number of rums!
Interviewer: Hmm. So I’ve heard! But perhaps we’d better start with this Welshman
Black Bart: Who? Me?
Interviewer: No. I’ll come to you in a minute. I was going to have a few words with Captain Morgan here – whilst he’s still capable of speech!
Blackbeard: (Hissing) You’d better get in there quick, then! And I’d make it a simple question, if I were you!
Interviewer: OK. So, why are pirates, pirates?
Cpt. Morgan: Because they Arrrrrrrrrrr!
Smugglers Alert!
Sample Text 2: Duration: around 5 - 10 mins
Interviewer: Now, come along, gentlemen! Perhaps we are being a little heavy on Mr. Johnstone! Don’t you agree, Mr. Trenchard?
Trenchard: Actually, I’m with them on this one! However much I might have disapproved of the violence I saw going on around me, nothing would have made me turn my old mates in!
Interviewer: Well, of course not!
Copinger: But that’s what this gentleman did!
Rattenbury: Not only did he swap sides as in swapping what country he fought for but he also went from being the hunted to the hunter!
Interviewer: You mean, he became a revenue man?
Kingsmill: (Spitting) He did indeed! How much lower could he stoop?
Shipwrecks - Sample Text 3
Duration: Around 5 minutes
(SOSD stands for Salty Old Sea Dogs)
S.O.S.D. 1: OK. So what about that Marie Celeste?
S.O.S.D. 2: Indeed. What about that Marie Celeste? Nobody knows!
S.O.S.D. 3: There may have been survivors – but there was no sign of them when the sailing ship was found drifting in the Atlantic Ocean, 1872.
S.O.S.D. 4: Did they abandon ship? Were they attacked? Nobody will ever know what happened. It’s one of those Bermuda Triangle riddles that has no answer.
8 Shakespeare Group Readers or guided reading play scripts, in style of Readers Theater: Macbeth, Hamlet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Twelfth Night, Henry V, Romeo & Juliet, Anthony & Cleopatra and The Tempest.
These are conversation pieces/discussions on what happened and do not have scenes as in plays.
Sample Texts from Set of 8 Shakespeare Plays (no quizzes)
Play 8: The Tempest
Speakers
Prospero
Miranda
Alonso
Ferdinand
Aries
Caliban
Caliban: Phew! The lengths some people will go to right past mischief!
Miranda: By which you mean helping my dad's brother, Antonio, to steal his dukedom? And then to put us on a boat to nowhere, in the hope that we'll perish?
Caliban: Hmm. Now when you put it like that .... Maybe ‘mischief' doesn't quite cover it!
Prospero: I'll say! Theft and then attempted murder!
Ferdinand: And yet you still found it in your heart to forgive him? How so?
Prospero: By looking at you and my daughter! Love is a great healer!
Hansel and Gretel Play cast of 6 alternative version of the original Brothers Grimm version
This is one of a set of 'alternative' fairy tales based on those written by Brothers Grimm but re-written, just as they did!
This alternative Hansel and Gretel play can be used for performance or as a guided reading text.
Cast size and Duration
Cast of 6, reading time approximately 10 minutes
Purchase includes: Synopsis of original fairy tale, play script, teaching input, discussion and suggested follow up activities.
Other cast of 6 alternative plays: Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella - Cinderella also available as assembly/class play cast size 30 (easily adaptable up or down) long with Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Snow White also available as a pantomime - cast of 30 or 60.
Sample Text
Narrator: Well, you were planning on eating those two children, weren’t you?
Old Lady: Those two children? Certainly not. Not at the same time, anyway!
Narrator: Oh we all know about you fattening up young Hansel first.
Old Lady: Well, I didn’t hear any complaints from him!
(Enter Gretel)
Gretel: Not when he was being fed prime joints every night – whilst I had nothing!
Old Lady: Now now young lady. You know perfectly well that’s not true.
Gretel: Well, you did save all the best stuff for him.
Old Lady: Only so that I could fatten him up quicker. And it worked, didn’t it?
Gretel: (Giggling) I suppose it did!
(Enter Hansel)
Hansel: What do you mean, it worked?
Old Lady: Well, you were so convinced your wee bone trick would work on me
Gretel: Pretending that was your finger!
Old Lady: I mean. I know I’m short-sighted! But not that short-sighted!
Hansel: So who ended up in the oven? We all know the trick you, Gretel, played.
Old Lady: Aha! Maybe it’s you, Hansel, that should’ve gone to Spec Savers!
Hansel: What do you mean? It was you Gretel that pushed her into the oven (pauses) wasn’t it?
Gretel: What? Push a defenceless old lady into a red hot oven? Are you serious?
Hansel: (Spluttering) But but … you saved me!
Cinderella Play - alternative version of the original Brothers Grimm version
This is one of a set of 'alternative' fairy tales based on those written by Brothers Grimm but re-written, just as they did, by Sue Russell!
This alternative Cinderella play can be used for performance or as a guided reading text.
Cast size and Duration
Cast of 6, reading time around 10 minutes
Purchase includes: Synopsis of original fairy tale, play script, teaching input, discussion and suggested follow up activities.
Other cast of 6 alternative plays: Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel - Cinderella also available as assembly/class play cast size 30 (easily adaptable up or down) long with Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Snow White also available as a pantomime - cast of 30 or 60.
Sample Text:
Narrator: You may have a point! And maybe now, we can all take a slightly more laid back approach to life!
Step Sister 1: Oh you’re talking about that exercise regime!
Step Sister 2: Dragging Cinders along to the gym every day!
Cinderella: Oh don’t you worry about that. Now I have my prince, I have a bit more of a reason to stay fit!
Fairy Godmother: And stay away from those doughnuts
Step Sister 1 & 2: (Together) Please!
Cinderella: Oh no worries there. I guess that was just a case of comfort eating. I’m way happier now (pauses) and it’s not just because I have found my prince
Prince: Oh really?
Cinderella: Yeah. No offence but I want to stay fit for me – not for anyone else! I want to feel good – inside and out; and that means regular exercise and not binge-eating on doughnuts! I don’t need to anymore. I can see the bigger picture!
Narrator: Wow! That’s amazing! (Pauses) Are you sure you haven’t been put up to this by Weight Watchers?
Cinderella: (Laughing) No way! Or should I say, no weigh!
Fairy Godmother: (Applauding) So good to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour, Cinders! But on a serious note, what you have just said is so important, I think we need to say it again. Right, girls?
Step Sisters 1 & 2: Right, Fairy Godmother!
Step Sister 1: Staying fit, staying healthy is great.
Step Sister 2: But it’s not just about looking great on the outside.
Cinderella: No, it’s just as important to feel good on the inside.
Snow White Play cast of 6
An alternative to Brothers Grimm version
This is one of a set of 'alternative' fairy tales based on those written by Brothers Grimm but re-written, just as they did!
This alternative Snow White play can be used for performance or as a guided reading text.
Cast of 6, reading time around 15 - 20 minutes
Purchase includes: Synopsis of original fairy tale, play script, teaching input, discussion and suggested follow up activities.
Other cast of 6 alternative plays: Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and this one also available as assembly/class play cast size 30 (easily adaptable up or down). Snow White also available as a pantomime - cast of 30 or 60.
Sample Script
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to
(Enter Snow White, followed by shrieking Queen)
Queen: (Angrily) Snow White? What are you doing here?
Snow White: Oh! I was just about to set off into the woods with the huntsman, as you ordered.
Queen: (Sweetly) Ah! That’s all right then! I just wanted to wish you a wonderful day!
Snow White: How kind! I am rather looking forward to going out! Everyone says how pale I look!
Queen: Exactly! Most unattractive! I’m sure a day in the woods will do you and your complexion the world of good!
(Exit Snow White, waving)
Queen: Ugh! Horrid ugly child!
(Mirror, who has been standing silently to one side, suddenly ‘comes to life’)
Mirror: Well I wouldn’t ..
Queen: (Interrupting) Oh do shut up! How many more times do I have to tell you? I am the fairest of them all!
Mirror: But I always give you the truth!
Queen: Which I do not need to hear around the clock, thank you very much. And anyway, you’ll soon be changing your tune!
Mirror: What do you mean? I can’t sing!
Queen: (Rolling eyes) No, what I meant was, you will give me a different answer next time I ask you that question
Narrator: (Holding up script) Oh, I think I know what that one is!
Queen: And who asked you?
Narrator: (Indignantly) Well, really, madam! There’s no need to be quite so churlish! I am supposed to be directing this story, you know!
Queen: (Dismissively) Huh! What’s to direct?
(To Audience) We all know the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, right?
Narrator: Well, you may think you do. But haven’t you heard? Fairy tales are being rewritten all the time and
Queen: (Interrupting) Oh really? You mean, someone might see me in a more favourable light?
Narrator: Who knows? If you play your cards right who knows what might happen?
Queen: Ooh. Now you’ve got me interested! You’ve no idea how tedious it is being cast and re-cast as a baddie!
Aesop Fables Guided Reading Scripts
SPECIAL HALF TERM OFFER:
Set of 5 Guided Reading Scripts, from Aesop Fables - available individually @ £5.00 Special Offer - all 5 for £15
These scripts, 6 speakers each, can be used within the classroom, in English or PSHE, or for *performance. They each come with lesson plan, original story synopsis, discussion points and suggestions for further activities.
*as separate plays (6 speakers), or one combined play(cast of 30)
Five Aesop Fables:
· The Lion and the Mouse
· The Fox and the Stork
· The Tortoise and the Hare
· The Jay and the Peacocks
· The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs
The Five PSHE Themes are:
· Friendship
· Mutual Respect
· Taking Time
· Being Happy with Who and What we are
· Being Satisfied with What We've Got
Duration: Each script is between 5 and 10 minutes reading time. As each comes with additional activities, this resource is potentially five 20-30 minute lessons – so could be done over the course of a week or spread out over a longer period.
Happy Customer: "I am so excited to use these! I was beginning to forget who I am as a teacher especially during guided reading because I was trying so hard to fit into my schools strict guided reading expectations and I think this will really help me discover me again. Thank you so much!"
Rating: 4.0
So lovely to receive comments like this - within 24 hours of releasing these scripts! Thank you so much to this teacher - made my day! Currently working on a 5 scene/5 guided reading script adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. Hope it gets the same reception!
Wizard of Oz Guided Reading Scripts (10) - 6 speakers each
This ‘play’ was written primarily as a set of guided reading scripts or Readers Theater – to be used by 5 groups of 6 speakers. The 10 scripts can be divided into Scene I & II for Group 1, Scene III & IV for Group 2 etc; or a run of consecutive readings, going round twice e.g. Scene I for Group 1, Scene II for Group 2 etc.
Conversely, the 10 scripts could be used by one group at a time i.e. for 10 or however many sessions it takes; or just straight through in around 30 minutes.
These scripts could be combined to produce a play for performance, with the addition of directions, music suggestions and extra cast members plus props.
Number of Scenes and Duration:
There are 10 Scenes. Each of these is around 3 minutes reading time. 30 minutes in total.
Cast
The same 5 principal roles (Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion) are used in each scene. The additional 6th speaker is different each time with the exception of the last two scenes.
In brackets after the cast list e.g. Scene I (‘Others - 3 Munchkins - BLUE – for class play) are the additional cast members that could be added for a performance play. These are not required for the guided reading scripts as they stand.
Scene I Arrival in Land of Oz
Cast
· Dorothy
· Toto
· Scarecrow
· Tin Woodman
· Cowardly Lion
Plus
· Good Witch of the North
(‘Others’ - 3 Munchkins - BLUE – for class play)
Sample Text:
Witch: (Interrupting) Oh, no mistake, my dear! Your house here took her out in one move. Can’t you see her feet sticking out from underneath?
Toto: She’s right! Well, who would have thought it
Scarecrow: (Sadly) Hmm. Thinking. Not my speciality! No brains to speak of, me!
Dorothy: That’s what you think!
Tin Woodman: But that’s just the point! He can’t – think, that is! Any more than I can feel!
Dorothy: You are mistaken
Cowardly Lion: Huh! You’ll be telling me I’m a brave creature, next!
Dorothy: You are!
Witch: (Impatiently) Well, much as I would like to stand around listening to you lot arguing all day – not! Let’s just say, it’s a blessing that cyclone brought you here all the way from Kansas
Fairy Tale Pantomime
This script can either be used for performance purposes - as a pantomime, a Christmas play or an assembly - or as a set of guided reading scripts (Readers Theater) to be used within the classroom.
35 pages of fun – and extremely bad jokes!
Cast of 30 (five groups of six)
Play I SLEEPING BEAUTY
Speaker 1 Narrator
Speaker 2 Sleeping Beauty
Speaker 3 Prince (girl)
Speaker 4 Good Fairy (boy)
Speaker 5 Bad Fairy (boy)
Speaker 6 Sleeping Beauty’s Mother – the Dame
Play II CINDERELLA
Speaker 7: Cinderella
Speaker 8: Bad Sister 1
Speaker 9: Bad Sister 2
Speaker 10: Fairy Godmother
Speaker 11: Prince
Speaker 12: Cinderella’s Step-Mum alias ‘Dame’
Play III SNOW WHITE
Speaker 13: Mirror
Speaker 14: Wicked Queen/Step-Mother
Speaker 15: Snow White
Speaker 16: Huntsman/Prince
Speaker 17: Dwarf 1 Dopey/Dame
Speaker 18: Dwarf 2 Jolly
Play IV Little Red Riding Hood
Speaker 19: Little Red Riding Hood
Speaker 20: Little Red Riding Hood’s Mother
Speaker 21 Big Bad Wolf
Speaker 22: Grannie/Dame
Speaker 23: Huntsman
Speaker 24: Censor
Play V RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Narrator: Narrator
Speaker 25: Rumpelstiltskin
Speaker 26: Daughter
Speaker 27: King
Speaker 28: Miller
Speaker 29: Queen/Dame
Duration: Around 30 minutes not including music suggestions (around 5 minutes for each of 5 plays)
Sample Text:
Music 1 – A medley of Christmas songs
(Children file in, seating themselves along 2 rows of 15, facing the audience; in 5 groups of 6)
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our pantomime
(Whole Cast stands)
Whole Cast: (In disbelief) Our what?
Narrator: You heard! I have decided that this year
Child 1: (Interrupting) No way!
Child 2: We’re always happy to come to your drama group, sir, but
Child 3: Absolutely no way are we doing panto!
Narrator: Oh yes you are!
Whole Cast: Oh no we’re not!
Narrator: There you are! I knew you wouldn’t take much persuading!
Child 4: Er, I think you just misheard. We said
Whole Cast: Oh no we’re not!
The Emperor's New Clothes Guided Reading Script
This is one of a collection of Hans Christian Andersen stories and includes Teaching Input, Discussion and Suggestions for Further Activities - i.e. ample content for a lesson. It can equally be used as a literary or PSHE resource.
It could also be used as a small play, for performance, with a few ‘tweaks’ and the addition of the music suggestions below.
Music
1. Fashion - David Bowie
2. You’re so Vain – Carly Simon
Cast of 6:
• Narrator
• Emperor
• Weaver 1 & 2
• Royal Adviser
• Street Child
Duration: Around 10 minutes reading time
Sample Text:
Narrator: (To Street Child) Apart from you, you all went along with this charade – just so as to save face? Well, really!
Royal Adviser: Yes, I know it looks bad
Narrator: It most certainly does
Emperor: But I wonder what you’d have done, especially as everyone else seemed to be going along with it?
Narrator: But couldn’t you see you were being taken for a song and a dance?
Weaver 1: It was quite funny!
Weaver 2: Especially when the emperor here actually turned up to try on his new clothes
Weaver 1: After having given us all that money and gold thread and
Emperor: (Interrupting) Yes, yes. Must you rub it in? Haven’t I been humiliated enough?
Royal Adviser: (Groaning) Oh, if only I had had the strength to admit to what I could see – as in, nothing! No cloth on the loom, no clothes, just air!
Emperor: And what a lot of hot air you were! Coming back telling me how wonderfully the work was progressing. How delighted I was going to be with my new clothes!
Royal Adviser: But I didn’t want to appear either unfit for my job or stupid.
Narrator: And so, you ended up being both!
Street Child: I’ll never understand grown-ups!
Other Hans Christian Anderson stories available are:
• The Ugly Duckling
(with more to come)
This Midsummer Nightmare II (alias Midsummer Night's Dream) is an extended version of the first one - Midsummer Nightmare. It includes the play Pyramus & Thisby and thus has a bigger cast and extended duration. Otherwise, it is exactly the same - sharing the same script up to Scene 6, and the same ending.
Midsummer Nightmare is, as the name suggests, just that - for its producer!
You'd think that putting on a summer camp production of A Midsummer Night's Dream would be a doddle, right? WRONG! This particular production is the stuff of nightmares - as our hapless teacher is about to find out! Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the consequences of falling asleep whilst reading one of his favourite Shakespeare plays.
Same story - but radically different cast - with a little help from Michael Jackson's Thriller!
Estimated length of performance: 50 minutes (depending on dancing/singing time).
User Lu Jones has written the following comment regarding "Midsummer Night's Dream alternative: Midsummer Nightmare II":
Love this quirky adaptation of one of Shakespeare's classics! The students love it as well!
Sample Text
Quince: Pyramus! Thisby! Kindly demonstrate for us how you use this worthy Wall!
(Bottom and Flute stand on either side of Snout's Wall, and make exaggerated whispering noises through the hole)
Theseus: (Appreciatively) Amazing!
Hippolyta: (Sarcastically) Awesome!
Bottom: You wait til you see us kissing!
(Flute falls over backwards)
Flute: Er, I don't think that will be necessary!
(Bottom pouting, making ridiculous ‘smirching' noises through the Wall)
Quince: Bottom! Maybe we should let the audience use just a little of their imaginations?!
Bottom: (Sulkily) OK, OK. I guess I shouldn't give them too much too early on! I don't want to overwhelm them!
Theseus: Quite so! The ladies can only take so much! Moving on ..
(Bottom and Flute back to the Wall)
Bottom: Thisby, my love!
Flute: (High pitched) Pyramus, my love love!
(To Quince, in normal gruff voice) How am I doing?
Quince: Don't stop! Remember - feminine!
(Flute flounces round to the other side of the Wall, Wall trying to block him)
Bottom: Get back! Stay on your side, remember?!
(Flute scuttles back to his side)
Flute: (Squeaking) Here I am again!
(Pauses, trying to remember his words)
Er, em. Ill met by moonlight?
Quince: Cut! Cut! We've already had that line!
Hippolyta: Oh dear! It would seem we are still attending the rehearsal!