Guy Fawkes Assembly or Class Play

Guy Fawkes Assembly or Class Play
The inclusion of a *mini play entitled The Trial of Guy Fawkes presents a ‘new take’ on history’s verdict – an interesting twist when the only witness is found guilty by the only member of the jury! i.e. Guy Fawkes walks free! This mini play has a cast of 6 and its inclusion is optional – the rest of the assembly focuses on the facts! Another ‘addition’ is at the end of the script where I have included a Fact File – which I thought would be useful (a) to add more facts to the assembly if necessary (perhaps if the mini play is not included) (b) as an introduction to the subject (c) as the basis for a quiz, to test the children’s knowledge. Hopefully, a pretty comprehensive package!
*Guy Fawkes on Trial This is a short play with cast of 6. It could be used in the classroom or put on as a performance in front of the school, or used by a drama club.
Sample text From Guy Fawkes Assembly:
Duration: around 10 minutes
Characters (Cast of 30)
Narrator
Children 1 -10
Guy Fawkes plus 13 Conspirators
Cast for ‘play’ Judge
(Guy Fawkes)
Policeman (Witness) – see Production Notes
Defense
Prosecutor
Member of the Jury


Music: Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks
(Children file in to this music)
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our Guy Fawkes Assembly.
Child 1: The music you have just been listening to is Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. First performed in 1749 for George II
Child 2: But more recently played, in 2002, in celebration of our present queen’s Golden Jubilee
(Child 3 nudges Child 2)
Child 2: Oh! That’s Queen Elizabeth II, of course! At Buckingham Palace – plus fireworks!
Child 3: The earliest fireworks were made in China, around 2,000 years ago – otherwise known as Chinese crackers!
Child 4: The first ones to be used in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.
Child 5: Fireworks became more and more popular
Child 6: And King James II was so impressed by those used at his own coronation in 1685 that he had the guy in charge knighted!
Child 7: Did you say ‘guy’?
Child 6: I may have done. Why?
Child 7: Not the Guy?
Child 6: What are you on about?
Child 7: (Shaking his head in disbelief) Only the most famous Guy in our entire history!
(Guy Fawkes steps forward)
Guy Fawkes: (To Child 7) Thank you! That would be me! Guy Fawkes!
(Whole cast applauds and cheers)
Narrator: (Disapprovingly) Only the most infamous Guy in our entire history!
Guy Fawkes: (Looking hurt) Ooh! That’s a bit harsh!