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!
Easter Story Assembly
Cast of around 30
Duration: Around 10 minutes reading time (this does not allow for changes of scene, music etc taking play to around 20 minutes)
This Easter Story class play relates to all the major events: Jesus' jubilant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus' fury in Temple, Judas' act of betrayal, The Last Supper, Arrest in Garden of Gethsemane, Caiaphas' 'verdict', Roman Trial with Pontius Pilate leading to Crucifixion, Tomb scene and Peter's summing up at the end. The play begins and ends on a jubilant note - starting with 'Give me Joy in my Heart' and ending with 'Lord of the Dance'.
SAMPLE TEXT:
Scene 1 Jerusalem
Music 1
(Child 1 and 2, Woman 1 and 2, plus lame child stand in a line, waving palm leaves over their heads, and singing chorus to the hymn, whilst eagerly awaiting arrival of Jesus. Standing to one side of them are two stern-looking priests, scowling in disapproval)
(Enter Peter)
Peter: (Addressing singers) Wow! What joyful music! Tell me. What are you celebrating?
Child 1: Haven't you heard?
Peter: Heard what?
Child 1: Of the coming of the Son of God?
Child 2: Of the King of the Jews?
(Enter priest 1 and 2)
Priest 1: Son of God, did you say?
Priest 2: King of the Jews, did you say?
Woman 1: Why, haven't you heard? It was prophesied He should enter Jerusalem, on a donkey. That's what we're all waiting for!
Woman 2: (Holding hand of lame child) I'm hoping he can heal my little lad - that he can perform a miracle. Just as he has done for so many others!
Woman 1: What a wonderful man! What power he has!
(Priest 1 and 2 take themselves to one side, to continue their conversation between just the two of them)
Priest 2: Who is this man who claims to be king and Son of God?
Priest 1: And those ‘magic powers' of his? I don't like the sound of them, one little bit!
Priest 2: What would our High Priest say? What would King Herod say?
Priest 1: Guilty on two counts, me thinks!
Priest 1: Blasphemy and treason!
Priest 2: Let's hang around and see this king for ourselves!
Child 1: Here he comes! Here he comes!
Woman 1: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Woman 2: Blessed is the great prophet from Nazareth!
(Enter Jesus. Walks along ‘crowd' of well-wishers, all waving palm leaves and singing. At the end of the ‘line', Jesus stands smiling, enjoying the singing)
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!
Superheroes Assembly for Key Stage II
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration: 15 - 20 minutes (without inclusion of music suggestions)
Our Narrator has faced some 'mission impossibles' in his time but a Superheroes Assembly without ... Superheroes? Thank goodness there is always an Ancient Greek superhero around when you need him. But bringing out the 'super' in these particular heroes may prove too much of a challenge even for Hercules!
Sample Text:
Music 1 – Holding out for a hero – Bonnie Tyler
(Whole cast file in, in order of speaking, seating themselves along two rows of fifteen seats, facing the audience)
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to
(Silence as Narrator waits for cast to respond - nothing but a couple of feeble coughs)
(Narrator turns round to face cast, speaking sideways on so that audience can hear)
Narrator: What’s going on? Where are all my Superheroes?
Superhero 1: Do you mean, us?
Superhero 2: If you want a show of superpowers here today, you’re out of luck!
Narrator: But why? What’s going on?
Superhero 3: More a case of what’s not going on!
Superhero 4: ‘Fraid we’re all recovering from colds
Superhero 5: And not feeling in the least bit ‘superhero-ish’!
Narrator: (Gasping) Oh no! So what am I supposed to tell this audience?
Superhero 6: Come back another day?
Narrator: No, I can’t do that! As you can see, they’re all here!
Superhero 7: Well, sorry, but even superheroes have their off days.
Narrator: (Desperately) But not, please, on the day of my assembly!
Superhero 8: ‘Fraid so!
Narrator: (Clasping head and groaning) Oh no! This cannot be! What a disaster!
Music 2 Greased Lightnin’ – Grease
(Enter Hercules, performing John Travolta moves)
Narrator: Well, good morning! (Looking through notes in confusion) This is … er … a bit of a surprise!
(Hercules snatches notes)
Hercules: Oh you don’t want to bother with those! Let’s go for a bit of good old fashioned spontaneity this morning!
Narrator: Old fashioned?
Hercules: Well, maybe a bit more than old. Make that, Ancient. (Pauses) Oh, and Greek!
Narrator: You mean, Ancient Greek?
Hercules: Exactly! And who better to represent that magnificent race – than myself, the great Hercules?
Narrator: Wow! You certainly were a superhero in your time!
Respect Assembly
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down.
Duration - around 10 minutes not including music suggestions.
This PSHE class play was written for Key Stage I - the part of the narrator taken by the Class Teacher.
Other Character Assemblies, Key Stage I & II, are available from writer, Sue Russell.
Sample Text
Goldilocks: Help! Help! Save me from these vicious bears!
Mummy Bear: (Retorting angrily) Vicious bears?
Daddy Bear: (Laughing) Who? Us?
Baby Bear: We’re the victims here, not her!
Narrator: Aha! Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Now that’s an interesting tale!
Mummy: One of burglary
Daddy Bear: Break in
Baby Bear: And vandalism!
Goldilocks: Oops! That bad?
All three bears: (Together, nodding) That bad!
Narrator: Oh dear! So not only have we a total lack of respect for people
Goldilocks: Bears!
Narrator: No difference! Don’t go making things worse for yourself, young lady!
Mummy Bear: Quite! Who ever heard such cheek?
Narrator: I repeat. Not only have we a total lack of respect for people (pauses) .. and bears! But a lack of respect for other’s property as well!
(Whole cast gasps in shock)
Goldilocks: (To Bears) I’m so sorry! I should never have walked into your home
Mummy Bear: Or eaten our food
Baby Bear: Or sat on our furniture
Daddy Bear: Or slept on our beds.
Goldilocks: I am so sorry. I’ll never do it again!
(Exit Goldilocks and the Three Bears, smiling at each other)
Narrator: Well, there’s a happy ending!
Child 1: But it’s very easy to go wrong! To forget that respect thing. We do need reminding of some important facts.
Child 2: Everyone is different.
Child 3: We all look different
Child 4: We all like different things
Child 5: I like running!
Child 6: I like football!
Child 7: I like reading a book!
Narrator: And that’s fine. Nothing wrong with having these differences!
Child 8: Our world would be so boring if everyone was the same!
Child 9: It doesn’t matter
Child 10: If you support Chelsea!
Child 11: Or Arsenal!
St. George's Day Assembly or Class Play
What on earth could the queen of England, our narrator alias Beefeater/guard of the Tower of London and the Artful Dodger have in common? Read on to find out what 'Twist' turns the Artful Dodger into Sir Artful Dodger!
Cast size: 25 but easily adjusted up or down
Duration: Around 20 minutes (depending on how much music is used)
The focus of this play is London. Time constraints meant I just touched on England's history - events and people. I have addressed this 'shortfall' in the collection of guided reading scripts (available separately).
Sample Text
(Enter Sir Winston Churchill, smoking a pipe)
Narrator: Ah, Sir Winston Churchill! Thank goodness. You pulled us through that Second World War - can you help me deal with this group of .. of ... super-women?
Sir Winston Churchill: What? This lot? Leave it to me!
Music 5 Who Do you Think You Are - Spice Girls
(Spice Girls sing and make threatening gestures toward Sir Winston Churchill, who cowers and runs off stage)
Narrator: (Aside) Hmm. Time for a different kind of ‘Help!" (Turning to Spice Girls) Hey girls, here come the Beatles!
Spice Girls: (Together) Beetles? Did someone say, beetles?
(All Spice Girls scream and run off stage)
Music 6 Help - Beatles
(Beatles stride on, singing Help!)
Narrator: OK! That's probably as much help as I need! Thank you, boys!
Beatles: (Together) No probs!
(Exit Beatles)
Narrator: So. Enough of this frivolity! Back to the serious stuff! Take my job at the Tower, for example
(Queen Elizabeth runs back onto stage, in state of total panic)
Narrator: Your Majesty! Whatever is the matter? Don't tell me you spilt your tea?
Queen Eliz: (Gasping) Haven't you heard?
Music 7 London Bridge is Falling Down
(Cast sings first verse)
Narrator: But that was around one thousand years ago, Your Majesty! It has been rebuilt several times since then!
Queen Eliz: No! No! It's not that I'm worried about!
Narrator: Oh no! Don't tell me the Thames Barrier has failed?
Queen Eliz: What? The world's largest movable flood barrier? Of course not!
Narrator: So. Has Buckingham Palace been burgled?
Music 8 They're Changing Guards At Buckingham Palace
(Cast sings first verse, as two guards in uniform march up and down)
Queen Eliz: What? With my fine guards to keep us safe? I don't think so!
Narrator: (Gasping) Don't tell me St. Paul's Cathedral has burnt to the ground again?
Queen Eliz: (Sighing in exasperation) No. Our fire service has improved a little since that Great Fire of London!
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!
Twelve New Labours of Hercules Assembly
NB: This script is not about the original 12 Labours of Hercules! It is based around a completely different set of challenges – on the kind of ‘admirable qualities’ the cast feels Hercules should have – presenting him with a 12-part self-improvement plan!
This is a kind of spin off from the Superheroes script - almost a reversal in fact; as whilst in that script it was Hercules trying to make superheroes out of a pretty unpromising cast, this script is about the cast pulling the punches - Hercules struggling along in their wake!
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration around 15 - 20 minutes not including music suggestions.
This Key Stage II class play is PSHE ‘orientated’ as it focuses on 'character improvements' e.g. humility, courage, mutual respect, upholding what is right, keeping positive, patience, love .... and of course the hardest of all, being happy!
Sample Text:
Child 11: A start to your self-improvement plan.
Hercules: My what?
Child 12: Well, we all feel you are lacking
Hercules: Me? The great Hercules? Lacking?
Child 12: (Coughing) If you would allow me to finish? We all feel you are lacking – make that, greatly lacking in some of the qualities you should have as
Hercules: As a great superhero? I don’t think so!
Child 13: Actually, I was going to say, as a member of the human race! Your mother was a mortal, right?
Hercules: Yes
Child 14: So I’m sure she’d appreciate us trying to improve you!
Hercules: Huh! How can you improve on perfection?
Music 3 Chariots of Fire theme music
(Hercules strides around ‘looking magnificent’)
(Child 15 walks over to the music and turns it off)
Hercules: (Indignantly) Hey! What’s the big idea?
Child 15: I think we all get it! You are Mr Universe!
Hercules: (Looking very pleased with himself) Well, thank you. I
Child 15: (Pointing to head) In your head, that is!
Hercules: (Furiously) Pardon?
Child 15: Oh do stop saying that! Anyone would think you had a hearing problem!
Hercules: (Spluttering) I most definitely do not! Everything about my physique is perfect!
Child 15: Like I said, maybe on the outside. But it’s what’s on the inside that is sadly lacking. But don’t worry, we are going to help fix that!
Hercules: (Sarcastically) And may I ask how?
Child 16: You may! All very simple. You just have to complete 12 simple tasks that we set you.
Hercules: (Laughing) Oh I get it! You are going to give me another 12 labours.
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
Olympic Games Assembly for Key Stage I. This script covers past ‘host nations’ but is predominantly an overview of the 2016 sporting events. Cast size 30.
Olympic Games Assembly for Key Stage I Rio 2016
With coverage of all hosts nations (past and present) plus all the sports present at the Olympics, this is quite an epic - even by the Ancient Greeks' standards!
Cast of 30 - easily adapted up or down
Duration - 10 to 15 minutes
Sample Text:
Kallipateira: Huh! But I don’t see any horses! You should have seen our chariot races!
(Enter Equestrian Team)
Rider 1: Well, our horses may not race but look how well behaved they are!
Rider 2: And look how well they jump!
(Exit Equestrian Team)
Narrator: So that just leaves
(Enter Ball Games representative, carrying various balls and rackets)
Ball Games rep: The Ball Games!
Narrator: Let me help! (Reading from a list) Tennis, table tennis, volley ball, hockey, golf, rugby, football, basketball, handball and badminton!
(Exit Ball Games representative)
(Recitation of Olympic Ode Chorus)
(Enter Archery, Shooting and Fencing representative, carrying assortment of ‘equipment’)
Narrator: Wow! What are all these sports!
Archery, Shooting and Fencing rep: Archery, Shooting and Fencing!
(Exit Archery, Shooting and Fencing representative)
(Recitation of Olympic Ode Chorus)
(Enter cyclist, on bike)
Narrator: And last but by no means least!
Cyclist: Watch me cycle!
(All applaud)
(Exit cyclist)
(Enter Homer)
Homer: (Spluttering) Well!
Narrator: Not speechless again, are we, Homer?
Homer: Just a bit! I think it’s time I returned to Ancient Greece – where life was a lot simpler!
Other scripts available:
1. Brazil - Host Country to 2016 Olympics
2. Olympics PRIDE Assembly (PSHE 'team spirit' script)
3. Olympic Games 2016 Leavers Assembly
4. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly - covering all 28 sports
5. History of the Olympics Assembly
6. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly: history and events - combined script including Olympic Ode
7. Paralympics 2016 Assembly
GUIDED READING SCRIPTS
1. A Complete History of the Olympic Games Guided Reading Scripts plus quizzes - set of 8 scripts, plus quizzes
2. Olympics PRIDE Guided Reading
QUIZ
Rio 2016 Olympic Games Quiz - 100 questions and answers!
plus
OLYMPIC ODE
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!
Autumn Assembly for Key Stage I
One of a set of assemblies on the Seasons.
Cast of 30 - easily adjustable up or down. It is suggested that the class teacher takes the role of narrator.
Duration - around 10 minutes but can be extended with inclusion of list of suggested poems
Swallows, squirrels, deer, bats, .... children! Our narrator certainly has his work cut out keeping this assembly under control! Ever tried keeping a hibernating hedgehog or two sleepy dormice awake? Or silencing a flock of Brent Geese? Just two of the tasks facing our, as always, seriously challenged narrator!
Sample Text:
(Dormice curl up together and drop off to sleep)
Narrator: Hey you two! Not yet! Wake up!
(Both dormice yawn and stretch sleepily)
Dormouse 1: Is it April yet?
Dormouse 2: I think I’ll leave it to May this year!
Dormice: (Together) Yeah! Let’s have a lie in!
Narrator: You most certainly will not! Do I look like a Dormouse babysitter? Be off with you!
(Exit Bats and Dormice)
(Enter Hedgehog, making loud snuffling noises; he collects up some of the leaves left behind by the children, makes a nest of them and lies down in the middle)
Narrator: Aha! And who do we have here? Our first hibernating hedgehog!
Hedgehog: (Huffily getting out ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and placing it next to his nest) Can’t you read?
Narrator: You’re a bit early! It’s not November yet!
Hedgehog: So? (Putting on night cap)
(Rubbing tummy) I’ve done enough eating! I’m ready for sleep!
Spring Assembly
This is the first of a series of Seasons Assemblies written for Key Stage I. This first one covers 20 plus 'first signs of spring' and includes a reference to the first chapter of Wind in the Willows, with Mole and Rat extolling the joys of the riverbank!
Cast of 30 (easily adaptable up or down) It is suggested that the class teacher takes the role of narrator.
Duration: Around 10 – 15 minutes including poems and music suggestions
Sample Text:
(Young animals ‘run rings around’ Narrator who gets increasingly exasperated)
Narrator: (Sighing) Huh! I was forgetting those young animals!
(Narrator jumping out of their way)
Narrator: Oh dear! Is it just me or does it suddenly seem a bit crowded around here?
Mother Rabbit: But didn’t you say, you loved Spring?
Narrator: Oh yes! But ..
(Bunnies and lambs keep jumping up at Narrator)
Narrator: (To Mother Rabbit and Mother Sheep) Could you not keep your offspring under slightly better control?
(Mother Rabbit and Mother Sheep ‘round up’ their offspring and return to their seats, scowling)
Narrator: Oh dear! And there I was saying how much I loved Spring! But it’s not just about baby animals, you know!
(Enter Child 6 dressed as Mole and Child 7 as Rat)
Narrator: Ah! Two of my favourite characters from The Wind in the Willows!
Mole: (Bowing) I’m Mole! Very pleased to meet you!
Rat: And I’m Rat! Known as Ratty to my friends
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?
Dinosaurs Guided Reading Scripts
5 plays (6 speakers each) with quizzes
Also available: Dinosaurs Rock Assembly or Class Play
Sample Texts
Play 1 ‘Favourites'
Steg: Hmm. Not blindingly obvious! But then I'm not famous for my brains!
T. Rex: No. That goes for a lot of you ‘tiny headed' plant eaters!
Dippie: Nothing wrong with having a brain the size of a walnut!
Brachie: Here! Here! But what was your other name, Steg? I don't think you got round to telling us.
Steg: Er, um.
T.Rex: Let me help! It's ‘covered lizard' or ‘roof lizzard'.
Steg: Ah yes! That's it! And of course I have that name because .... Er... um..
Try: Oh come on, Steg! Try a little harder!
Steg: All right, Mister Try, Try and Try-again-ceratops!
Play 2 The Biggest!
(Earth shaking)
Cecil: Whoa! Sorry everyone! That happens every time I move!
Chicken: Then please don't! It's really scary for one as small as me!
Car: Chicken! You'd better toughen up if you're gonna stick around with us big boys!
Mam: Yeah! Better be careful we don't trip over this one!
Chicken: I might be small but I could win a running race against you lot - hands down!
Cecil: Well, if it came to feet down, you'd be well and truly squashed under me! Thebiggest!
Mam: And without wishing to stick my neck out .... Guess what I'm most famous for?
Gig: Nothing to do with having the longest neck ever, I don't suppose?
Play 3 The Deadliest
Deinonychus: Certainly could! Size isn't everything, you know! I probably had the deadliest reputation out of all of you!
Allosaurus: When you were hunting in packs you were unstoppable.
Deinonychus: Indeed. I was the supreme pack hunter! I had no enemies. Not surprising with a name like ‘Terrible Claw'! My very own flick knife!
Play 4 Head Bangers!
2-Ridge: So, I'm guessing we're not all heading for the nearest beauty pageant!
Dome-head: I'm not ashamed of my ...(pauses) slightly unusual looks!
Long-crest: Nor me! We should be proud of our crests and lumps and bumps!
Helmet-head: Right on! We've got nothing to hide ..
Trumpet-head: Not even under that helmet?!
Helmet-head: Or what about up your trumpet?
Play 5 Flyers and Swimmers
Pteranodon: (Sniffing) There's something very fishy going on here.
Pterodactylus: That's it! We're all - or nearly all - fish-eaters!
Mosasaurus: Though I wasn't fussy! I'd eat anything!
Elasmosaurus: You certainly had the jaws for it! I guess you just swam along with them wide open!
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.
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!
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)