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!
Brazil Host Country to 2016 Olympics Assembly
This class play looks at the country in which the Olympics is staged this year (plus information on the Olympics e.g. Olympic Torch journey, number of countries taking part etc)
For a history of the Olympics and coverage of sporting events, please select from one of the other scripts listed below (scroll down below sample Text)
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration - around 10 minutes not including music suggestions
Sample Text:
Child 11: But haven’t you heard what party there’s going to be
Child 12: Starting August 5th
Child 13: And going on til August 21st?
Narrator: (Spluttering) But, but, that’s … over 2 weeks! What kind of party goes on that long?
(Cast swaps Carnival banners for Olympics banners, raising them above their heads)
Whole cast: (Shouting) The Olympics!
Music 2 Fanfare for the Common Man
Narrator: Oh my goodness! The Olympics again! It seems like only yesterday we were partying in London!
Child 14: That was for the 2012 Olympics! Proud hosts – the United Kingdom!
Child 15: But 2016 is the year for Brazil – proud hosts of the 31st Olympic Games!
Child 16: In the city of Rio de Janeiro!
Music 3 Gypsy King ‘Carnival selection’
(Whole cast grab their carnival props and raise them again)
Narrator: Wow! Summer 2016 is going to be some party! How can it not be – with the Olympics in Brazil?
(Narrator turns to Child 15)
Narrator: But what was that you said about the number of Olympic Games we’ve had so far?
Child 15: 30 so far. 2016 will be the 31st!
Child 16: The very first one was of course held in Ancient Greece.
Child 17: In the city of Olympia – birthplace of the Olympic Games!
Child 18: And that’s where the Olympic Torch started its journey on 21 April 2016
Other scripts available from Sue Russell:
ASSEMBLIES
1. Olympics PRIDE Assembly (PSHE 'team spirit' script)
2. Olympic Games 2016 Leavers Assembly
3. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly - covering all 28 sports
4. History of the Olympics Assembly
5. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly: history and events - combined script including Olympic Ode
6. Olympics Assembly for Key Stage 1 Rio 2016
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
Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly including history events and ode
This class play is a combination/condensed version of two previous scripts: History of the Olympic Games and Olympic Games 2016. Whilst its main focus is coverage of all the 2016 sporting events, there is included a list of the previous 'host nations' (but without all the accompanying information i.e. medals won and 'events' on and off the course - inclusion of all this material would have made a single script far too long). Also included is the Olympic Ode - as an optional extra. Thus, the cast can be as small as 30 or as great as 75, with a cast of 52 as another possibility - the production notes explaining these numbers fully.
The duration is from 20 minutes to at least 30 minutes - this does not include music options.
Sample Text
Child 5: Like football! Same objective but using feet instead of a stick! Oh and not forgetting that new sport – rugby sevens. New Zealand have to be the favourites having won the 2015 rugby World Cup. Course we all know how good the Brazilians are at football – oops, don’t mention the last world cup!
Narrator: But playing at home should give them ‘the edge’
Trev: Like in 1908 when Great Britain won gold! What a moment! Particularly as this was the first time football had been played at the Olympics! A debut to remember!
Narrator: (Aside) Those were the days! But hey! (Shaking himself up) Who knows? Amazing things do happen at the Olympics!
Child 6: Like that 1992 U.S. Dream Team! What a set of athletes they were – and not bad at ‘dunkin’ from what I’ve heard!
Narrator: Dunkin? You mean, Dunkin Doughnuts? (Rubbing tummy) Mmm I’ve heard they’re pretty yummy!
Child 6: (Throwing hands up in exasperation) No no! Not that kind of ‘dunkin’! Basketball dunkin is when the ball is slammed directly into the net using one or two hands.
Other scripts available from Sue Russell:
ASSEMBLIES
1. Brazil Host Country to the Olympics 2016 Assembly
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. Olympics Assembly for Key Stage 1 Rio 2016
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!
Burns Night Assembly
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration: Around 15 - 20 minutes (depending on number of music suggestions included). The assembly could be further extended by the addition of some of the poems of Robbie Burns.
Who would not want to come to this party? Well, if you're not keen on bagpipes, it could be a problem! But the guest list is pretty unbeatable - with the likes of St Andrew, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, Robert the Bruce, Walter Scott plus fellow writers, Alexander Bell plus fellow scientists, John McAdam plus fellow engineers, some sportsmen, politicians (fraid so!), that oh so enthusiastic chef (no prizes for guessing what he's served up!), Nessie (of course!) and not forgetting - that guy with the bagpipes .... oh and Robbie Burns!!
This script comes with some seriously bad jokes – would definitely get the thumbs down from that other Mr Burns of Simpsons fame!
Sample Text
(Enter bagpipes player, with loud bagpipe accompaniment)
(Everyone groans and cover their ears)
Narrator: Stop! Please! I think I’m going mad!
Bagpipes player: Och! You need to chill out a little, man!
(Takes out bottle of whisky from inside kilt)
Here! Have some of this fine Scottish whisky! Nothing quite like it for lessening the old stress levels!
Narrator: (Taking the bottle and having a sip) Well as long as it means your volume levels take a corresponding dip!
Bagpipes player: Oh to be sure! If that’s what keeps you happy!
(Enter Scottish chef carrying tray of haggis)
Scottish chef: And here’s something else to warm your inners!
(Narrator takes a bite followed by a coughing fit)
Narrator: What on earth was that?
Scottish chef: Oh! Just a bit of sausage I cooked up!
Narrator: Er, something tells me you’re holding back a bit on the description there?
Scottish chef: Oh, didn’t I mention? It’s the inner organs of a sheep … cooked in the stomach of a sheep!
(Narrator has explosive coughing fit)
Scottish chef: Oh, and if you want to know what those organs are, they’re the liver, heart and lungs. Plus a little seasoning! Delicious, eh?
(Narrator continues to ‘gag’)
Bagpipes player: (To chef) Er, far be it from me to interrupt but I think we’ve had enough description!
Scottish chef: Oh very well! (Placing tray on a chair) I’ll leave it here for you all to enjoy.
(Whole cast pull faces)
(Testily) This is meant to be a Burns celebration, you know!
Other Scottish scripts available from Sue Russell. Please note: there is some duplication of content and characters in this script and the St. Andrews Assembly/Class Play.
Russian Assembly or Class Play
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration - 10 - 20 minutes. (20 mins with inclusion of music suggestions and performances) Script can be further extended to include more information on the country.
As always our narrator has his work cut out – kicking off assembly with having to keep bolshy Bolsheviks apart from arrogant tsars. Nothing bolshy about those Bolshoi ballerinas, fortunately - but who invited that mob of unruly Chelsea supporters along?!
Normal formula of fun and laughter mixed in with a generous spattering of facts .. demonstrating just how much a country of contrasts Russia is.
This script will be adapted to include longer reference to 2018 World Cup, nearer the time.
Sample Text:
Narrator: That’s better! Now let’s see. (Looking through script) What are a load of Chelsea Football supporters doing here in my Russian assembly?
Supporter 1: Oh! Hadn’t you heard, mate?
Supporter 2: Heard? Heard what?
Supporter 3: That Chelsea Football Club is owned
Supporter 4: By a Russian!
Supporter 1: One Roman Obramovich!
Supporter 2: One of the richest men in the world!
Supporter 3: In charge of the greatest team in the world!
(Half the cast boo and wolf whistle; and Narrator ushers supporters off before there is trouble)
(Exit Chelsea supporters)
Narrator: (Sighing) Oh dear! Nothing like lowering the tone of my assembly. It was all so lovely and cultured before that noisy lot turned up!
(Enter 2 artists, Marc Chagall and Wassily Kandinsky, setting up their easels and painting, silently)
Narrator: Ah! That’s more like it! The silent world of art! And who better to represent it than these two amazing Russian artists
Marc Chagall: (Holding up picture of The Fiddler) Marc Chagall!
Music 4 Fiddler on the Roof theme tune
(Chorus from the musical could be performed either by the artist, Chagall, or someone else in the cast)
Narrator: (Applauding) Wonderful!
(To second artist, Wassily Kandinsky) And you, sir?
Wassily Kandinsky: (Holding up Squares with Concentric Circles) Wassily Kandinsky
Narrator: And this artwork is called?
Wassily Kandinsky: Squares with Concentric Circles! Why do you look so surprised?
Narrator: (Uneasily) Oh just expecting something …er. Em
Wassily Kandinsky: (Angrily, snatching up his easel) A little more abstract?
Butterfly photos
I have added these photos (89 of them!) as I think they would be a really good resource for teachers and students studying butterflies.
I took the photos at an amazing exhibition 'Sensational Butterflies' which was housed in a temporary greenhouse outside the London Natural History Museum this summer (July 2016). I had spent the previous week writing Butterfly scripts for PSHE (KS II) and it was just fate that took me to the museum that day, totally unaware that I'd be greeted with yet more butterflies! I have since written a script on the Butterfly's Life Cycle - KS I.
I did start labelling the butterfly photos - but decided having got up to about Butterfly No 75 that there were just too many 'I wasn't sure about' - I do not pretend to be a butterfly expert! And a lot of butterflies are remarkably like others - give or take a dot or two! I will try to get the butterflies in my photos formally identified - next time I go to a Butterfly Farm or exhibition. Of course, if anyone out there wants to take on this task for me, more than happy to hear from you, and thus pass this info onto my customers.
Likewise, the photos are in no particular order - just in order of download (the caterpillar and pupa are a few photos in).
The photos are there to be enjoyed - to be used for display or other purposes (I was quite pleased with the level of detail I achieved using my very 'standard' camera and you can actually identify features like the proboscis which would be useful for 'parts' identification).
So enjoy (no sample text given!)
World Cup 2018 Assembly
Cast Size – 33 as this includes Referee plus 32 competing nations - but speaking parts can be doubled up, to the number required.
Duration - Around 20 minutes (not including music)
A referee's job is never the easiest in the world - but put him in charge of 32 teams from across the world - all together, at the same time ..... Does he have his work cut out or does he have his work cut out?! Join him plus 32 nations in this celebration of the World Cup - all lining up for one of the greatest sporting events on the planet!
Sample Text:
Referee: Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. What are we here celebrating today?
Whole Cast: (Shouting louder) THE WORLD CUP!
(Referee blows whistle)
Referee: OK. OK. Sit down everyone. Don’t let’s get too excited! It is, after all, only football!
English Fan: (In outrage) Pardon? Have you never heard what the great Bill Shankly had to say?
Referee: No. But I’ve a feeling I’m going to!
English Fan: He said “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that”!
Referee: (Shrugging) And there was me, thinking it was just sport! So, let’s find out a little more about the World Cup, starting with where it’s going to be held this year, 2018.
Russia: In Russia! We, as the host nation, (turning to cast) are happy to welcome you all!
(Everyone cheers)
Referee: Thank you, Russia. Tell me. How many countries are there competing this year?
Russia: Thirty two!
Referee: Let’s meet them! In Group A
(Each country, represented by a fan dressed in his team colours, stands and waves national flag in turn before sitting down again)
Russia: Russia! We’re the host nation
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia. The first team to take on the host nation in the opening match!
Egypt: Egypt!
Referee: Welcome back!
Egypt: Yes, it’s been 28 years since our last appearance in a world cup, in 1990.
Uruguay: Uruguay! We were the very first host, in 1930.
World Cup 2018 Leavers’ Assembly
Duration: around 15 minutes. Cast size suitable for one class - or year group of two or three classes.
Who would have thought Mr. Head would have so much trouble in this Leavers' Assembly - disciplining his own staff?! There's Mr. Place - a geography teacher with an unfortunate temper; there's Mrs Sums - with an unfortunate obsession with numbers; there's Mrs Write - with her unfortunate outspokenness ... are you spotting a pattern here? And as for Mr. Force from the science department ... well, let's just say he might have pushed his luck just that little bit too far on this occasion! Anyway, hat's off to Mr. Head as he struggles on. After all, football is just a game, isn't it?!
Sample Text
Mr. Head: Ah! Mrs Write, our Literacy expert!
Mrs Write: (Enunciating every word slowly and perfectly) Good morning, Mr. Head. Good Morning, children!
Students: Good morning, Mrs Write!
Mrs Write: Before we go any further, I do feel it is important that our children can tell the difference between fact and fantasy!
Mr. Head: Er, don't you mean facts and opinions?
Mrs Write: (Impatiently) Just so! Though some of my students seem to be indulging in some very worrying fantasies at the moment.
Student 1: But you're always telling us to use our imaginations, Miss!
Mrs Write: ‘Tis true. But we also need to keep a certain hold on reality. And, to put it bluntly .... (pausing)
Mr. Head: (Impatiently) Yes, Mrs Write. We haven't got all day!
Mrs Write: Well, as long as you can assure me that I won't upset anyone in speaking my mind?
Mr. Head: It's never stopped you in the past!
Mrs Write: (Cagily) Well, it's about England's chances of winning the World Cup!
Mr. Head: Ah! (Pauses) Now I see where you're coming from. Could I suggest you proceed with extreme caution? With extreme tact, even?
Mrs Write: Oh don't you worry! You're looking at somebody who can not only write to the highest standard but is also always right in everything she says ..
Mr. Head: (Aside) And so modest with it!
Mrs Write: Let me just tell anyone who is nursing any illusions about England winning
Mr. Head: (Anxiously) I think I mentioned tact, Mrs Write?
Mrs Write: Well .... (takes a deep breath and then blurts out) England doesn't stand the faintest chance of winning the World Cup!
(Mr. Head covers his head in despair, as all students rise to their feet in uproar)
Mrs Write: You see what I mean? Somebody had to tell them! They shouldn't be allowed to continue believing in this fantasy!
Mr. Head: (In exasperation) Mrs Write! Have you ever heard the expression ‘Like a bull in a china shop'?
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!
Pet Care Assembly for Key Stage I
This script is a totally moveable feast! The cast consists of Narrator (Class Teacher) plus 30 pets - the number and type of pets can, of course, be changed to match any class requirement.
Although it is full of humorous moments, the message behind it is a serious one - that of taking the business of pet care itself seriously.
The length of this performance is around 10 - 15 minutes *plus - allowing for ‘parade’ and ‘additions’ from children themselves i.e. information about their particular pets. It could potentially be double this length depending on how much additional information and suggested poetry is included.
Great fun. Would love to see this performed!
Sample Text:
Narrator: You see, pets do take a lot of looking after. They are a big responsibility! (Pauses) What do you think is the most important part of looking after a pet?
Child 4: Making it happy?
Narrator: Correct!
Child 5: And healthy!
Narrator: Well done! So, you have to do a lot of homework before you even choose a pet.
Child 6: Sounds like being at school!
Child 7: Having a pet is meant to be fun!
Narrator: But it’s no fun for your pet if it’s not looked after properly. Take that Great Dane, for example.
(‘Great Dane’ stands up)
Child 8: He’d take a lot of feeding!
Narrator: Correct! Big dogs like big meals! But that’s not all!
Child 9: He’ll need a lot of exercise!
Child 10: Long walks!
Narrator: Two or three times a day! He won’t want to be left inside by himself all day!
(Great Dane shakes his head in agreement and sits down)
Narrator: Animals have needs, just like us! And we need to respect their needs! Maybe someone could share with us, how they look after their pet?
Child 11: I have two guinea pigs called Bill and Ben!
Narrator: Two guinea pigs?
Child 11: Yes, they like company!
Narrator: And where do you keep them?
Child 11: In a hutch with a nice grassy run. They also have cardboard boxes and pipes to hide in if they get frightened.
Winter Assembly for Key Stage One
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration: Around 10 - 15 minutes. This length can be extended by the addition of suggested poems.
Brrrr! .... surely there's a bit more to be said about winter than this?! Well, if left to our cast it would just be the sound of snoring - any excuse to follow the lead of that hibernating hedgehog. Fortunately, you can always rely on a bit of Disney to revive flagging spirits - plus some snowball fights and a few words from our rockin robin!
This is one of a set of plays on The Seasons - all available as separate purchases.
Sample Text
(Enter group of children all dressed in winter clothes)
Child 23 – 27: (Together) We’re all warm!
Narrator: And how is that?
Child 23: I have a warm woolly hat!
Child 24: I have a warm woolly scarf!
Child 25: I have warm woolly gloves!
Child 26: I have warm woolly socks and welly boots!
Child 27: And we all have
Child 23 – 27: Warm woolly coats to keep us warm!
(Exit group of children)
Narrator: Hmm! Warm and woolly seems to work!
Music 5 Rockin Robin – Michael Jackson
(Enter Robin/Child 28 dancing to song that is sung by rest of the cast)
Narrator: (Applauding) Well, that was very upbeat!
(To robin) You don’t seem to have any problems with the cold weather!
Robin: Well, it’s not always easy, you know! And I am always grateful to those kind people that leave me food out in their gardens!
Narrator: Well, you are our favourite national bird
Robin: And those Christmas cards just wouldn’t be the same without me, right?
Narrator: Right!
(Exit Robin)
(Sound of loud snoring, from the cast)
Narrator: Hey! What’s going on?
Music 6 All I have to do is dream – Everly Brothers
(Optional excerpt – first couple of bars)
(Enter very sleepy hedgehog/Child 29)
Hedgehog: (Rubbing eyes) Oh! Where’s my bed? I must have sleepwalked off, by mistake!
The Good Samaritan Assembly or Class Play Cast of 30
NB: The other play, with a cast of 10, available as a separate purchase, is a re-telling of the parable with complementary discussion notes on the bystander effect.
This full-length assembly with a cast of 30 starts with this same cast of 10 but has an additional 20 speakers dealing with ‘the bystander effect’ with reference to today’s society, delivered via five different scenarios.
Duration - around 15 to 20 minutes
Sample Text
Scenario 1 - A young boy/teenager being beaten up by a group of other teenage boys
(Enter 5 boys and 5 bystanders)
(Bystanders in two groups, chatting amongst themselves; group of five boys chatting/messing around)
(Suddenly four boys ‘fall out’ with the fifth boy and set upon him, ‘beating him to the ground’)
(Bystanders look on bewildered before walking off hurriedly)
(Four boys do a ‘high five’ and walk off, leaving the fifth boy, sprawled on the ground, moaning)
(Enter Good Samaritan, who helps boy to his feet and helps him back to his seat)
Narrator: (Jumping out of his seat) Bravo! You’ve done it again! Good Samaritan to the rescue!
Good Samaritan: So, what about those other people who were there and witnessed what happened? Where did they go? Let’s call them back.
(Good Samaritan gestures to five bystanders to come and join him)
Good Samaritan: So. What was going on there? Explain yourselves, please.
Bystander 1: Oh, you know how it is.
Bystander 2: Boys will be boys!
Bystander 3: Just thought we’d let them get on with it.
Bystander 4: Nothing to do with us!
Bystander 5: We didn’t want to get involved
Good Samaritan: So. Let’s get this straight. You were happy to risk that young boy being severely injured. Perhaps worse.
Bystander 1: (Laughing nervously) Oh let’s not exaggerate!
(All bystanders nod in agreement)
Good Samaritan: But you didn’t know he’d be all right, did you?
(All bystanders shuffle their feet nervously and look to the ground)
Good Samaritan: No, you didn’t! Shame on you for walking away!
Bystander 2: But what could I have done?
Bystander 3: I’m no fighter!
Bystander 4: What if they’d turned on me?
Bystander 5: I didn’t want to get hurt!
Good Samaritan: So, it was OK to let someone else get hurt?
Bystander 1: Well,
Good Samaritan: (Exploding) No it wasn’t! And you all know it!
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
The Clothes We Wear Assembly including The Emperor’s New Clothes
Key Stage I
This class play or assembly has a look at our normal wardrobes - for summer and winter clothing plus a dip into the world of fashion. In the case of the latter, one rather important lesson delivered via the mini play within this script - on The Emperor’s New Clothes - is ‘Beware personal vanity’ - it can get you into all sorts of trouble!
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down (Class Teacher as Narrator)
Duration - from around 10 minutes (not including music suggestions and ‘fashion show’ - these could easily double the performance!
KS II Scripts on Fashion/Emperor’s New Clothes also available (see below)
Sample Text:
Music 2 You’re so Vain – Carly Simon
(Enter Fashion Designer, strutting up and down, like a model on a catwalk)
Narrator: (Indignantly) Excuse me! But would you mind explaining who you are?
Fashion Designer: Certainly! I am here as a special guest today. You see, as a fashion designer I know everything about clothes!
Narrator: Oh really? (To audience) And rather less about good manners!
Fashion Designer: Well, I really didn’t think I’d need an invite! I thought you’d be delighted to see me!
(Narrator ushers Fashion Designer back to his/her seat)
Narrator: Well, of course. Here. Take a seat and then maybe we can catch up later!
(Consulting notes) Now. Where were we? Ah yes, let’s take a look at some of these clothes!
Music 3 Summer Holidays – Cliff Richards
(Enter Summer Clothes Children, 1 – 6)
Narrator: (To Summer 1 & 2)
Wow! I can see you’re all ready for the beach!
Summer 1: We certainly are! (Pointing to each article of clothing) I’m wearing a sundress, flip flops, and these glasses and hat to protect me against the sun!
Sample Text from ‘mini play’ - The Emperor’s New Clothes:
(Two scoundrels set up their looms)
Narrator: And so, all they had to do was take the money! They didn’t have to sew a stitch!
Scoundrel 2: That’s right. Just tell that emperor what he wanted to hear
Narrator: That he looked gorgeous?
(Both scoundrels nod)
Scoundrel 1: And what did that make us?
Scoundrel 2: Rich!
International Day of Happiness Assembly
A play to make you smile - I hope!
Cast of 26 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration - around 20 minutes depending on number of quotations, jokes and music suggestions included.
Sample Text:
Music 1 What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
(Enter 2 grumpy young girls, alias GYGs, and 2 grumpy young boys, alias GYBs, holding their hands over their heads)
GYG1: What a din!
GYB1: Somebody turn off that music!
GYG2: Yeah! I’ve got a headache!
GYB2: Me too! And it’s getting worse by the minute!
(Enter Narrator)
Narrator: (Coughing) Er excuse me! But hasn’t anybody told you what day it is today?
GYG1: Not Monday, I hope. Worst day of the week!
GYB1: Nah! Every day of the week’s bad … when you’re having to spend it at school!
Narrator: Enough! Where did you lot crawl from? The wrong side of bed perhaps?
(Falls about laughing)
GYG2: (Sarcastically) Oh! I see we have a joker in our midst!
GYB2: (Sarcastically) Oh! What fun!
Narrator: Now, come on, you miserable lot! This really won’t do!
(Pauses and looks towards rest of cast)
Looks like we’re gonna have to tell them what day it is. Let’s hear it …
Cast: (Shouting) International Day of Happiness!
(Everyone holds up a smiley face)
Narrator: And what do we do on International Day of Happiness? We
Cast: (Shouting) Smile!
FREE Sport Relief Assembly
Every year I do something to raise money for Sport Relief - this generally in my capacity as a zumba instructor (guess what ‘sport’ is there in the script, representing Z on the sports list?!)
This script is about as versatile as I can make it - any cast size, any duration, any number of songs/music suggestions.
Good luck to everyone ‘doing their thing’ this year. My challenge is going to be ‘sitting still for one minute’ during each of my 15 zumba routines - a challenge beyond anything I have ever undertaken before! If you’ve ever been to a zumba class you’ll know what I mean!
Simple message to accompany this script - ENJOY!
Sample Text:
Child 26: Volleyball
Child 27: Weightlifting
Child 28: Wrestling
Child 29: Zumba!
Narrator: (To Child 29) I beg your pardon?
Child 29: Zumba! Would you like a demonstration?
Music 2 – Zumba number/Latin American music
(Child 29 ‘performs’)
(Loud applause from cast and audience)
Narrator: Magnificent! And I can see that dancing is just as energetic as all those other sports we’ve mentioned!
Child 1: (Fanning him/herself) Phew! All that hot Latin American music!
Child 2: But let’s not forget our winter sports!
Child 3: We have only just had those fantastic Winter Olympics!
Child 4: Who could forget
Child 5: The skiing
Child 6: Bobsleigh
Child 7: Figure skating
Child 8: Ice hockey
Next big sporting event – THE WORLD CUP! Check out assemblies, guided reading scripts and quiz on this wonderful theme! All available off TES and
St. George and The Dragon Assembly - Key Stage One
Slightly alternative version, this one, with just one knight in shining armour amongst 14 pairs of princesses and dragons!
You could say, speed dating with a difference!
Whatever way you look at it, the outcome is very different from the usual version of the story.
The cast is adaptable to any size class - just adjust the number of princesses and dragons!
Duration: around 10 - 15 minutes (Reading time just 5 minutes but this does not allow for music suggestions and ‘parade’).
Sample Text:
Princess 1: (Interrupting whilst preening herself) I’m the beautiful princess!
St. George: (Looking unimpressed) Oh, really?
Princess 1: (Stamping her foot angrily) Yes, really!
(To St. George) And who are you?
St. George: St. George, since you ask!
Princess 1: (Shrieking) No! There must be some mistake!
Narrator: Sorry? What do you mean?
Princess 1: Well, look at him! He’s meant to be handsome!
St. George: And you’re meant to be?(pauses) … what was it? Oh yes, beautiful?
(St. George and Princess 1 stand glaring at each other)
Narrator: Now! Now! This will never do! As hero and heroine, you are meant to be in love!
Princess 1: No way!
St. George: Not likely!
Narrator: (Clutching head and holding up notes) Oh for goodness sake! How am I going to make this work?
St. George: Start with the dragon!
(Aside to audience, pointing at Princess 1) And I don’t mean her!
Circus Assembly for Key Stage One
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down. Role of Narrator taken by Class Teacher.
Duration: 10 - 15 minutes
This script is suitable for both upper and lower Key Stage I. Whereas the first half is on the history of circuses, there are lots of jokes to cheer up our Sad Clown for younger children in the second half - plus ample opportunities for ‘the performance of a lifetime’!
This script is a kind of template - it can be used for any size class and be expanded to any length of time.
Oh, and did I mention Health and Safety?!
Sample Text:
Fire breather: Look at what fire breathers do!
(Fire breather breathes out fire)
(Everyone gasps and applauds; Narrator rushes on with fire extinguisher)
Narrator: Hey! Health and safety! Health and safety! Stop this now!
Sword swallower: And then there’s my act (holding up sword)
Narrator: (Intervening quickly) I have no idea what you intend doing with that sword – but not here, not now!
Sword swallower: But I was only going to swallow it (pauses) like this!
Narrator: (Shrieking) Stop now! That’s way too dangerous!
(Whole cast groans)
Sad Clown: You see? Always some health and safety spoilsport around these days to ruin our fun!
(Circus juggler walks up and down, juggling)
Narrator: Now, that’s more like it! Plenty of skill, no danger!
(Stilt walker walks up and down)
Narrator: (Applauding) Bravo!
(Contortionist and ‘Strong man’ perform, Narrator watching anxiously)
(Everyone gasps and applauds; Narrator rushes on with First Aid Kit)
Narrator: This really won’t do! What have I said about health and safety?
(Lion roars loudly)
Peter Pan Play including A Social Commentary from J.M. Barrie
This script is for children aged 10 plus (upper Key Stage II and Key Stage III)
It uses the skeleton script of previous Peter Pan Play but adds a more serious component in the form of ‘social comments’ from J.M. Barrie.
Cast of 30 – easily adjustable up or down
Duration – Around 30 minutes for reading time. This does not include music suggestions.
Sample Text
Peter: Ah, a timely arrival, Mr. Barrie! I am
Mr. Barrie: Peter Pan, of course! I trust you are enjoying your role?
Peter: Well, I
Narrator: (Intervening quickly) Of course he is! Who wouldn’t be honoured to take the leading role?
Mr. Barrie: But wait! He doesn’t look so sure. Is there something you would like to talk to me about?
Peter: Well, as a matter of fact there is!
Narrator: (Aside to audience, groaning) Oh oh! Here we go!
Peter: You see, I think your story deserves a slightly more serious treatment!
Narrator: (Protesting) But it was intended for children!
Mr. Barrie: (To Narrator) And your point is? Are you saying children should not see the serious side of life?
Narrator: Well,
Peter: Aha! That was just what I was trying to say before you arrived! It’s time to perform a play that deals with your views, as the writer.
Mr. Barrie: (Incredulously) You mean, that isn’t already the case?
Peter: I’m afraid not.
Mr. Barrie: Well, now! Perhaps that does need changing!
(Both Peter and Mr. Barrie turn to Narrator)
Mr. Barrie: Would you, as the director of this play, be OK with (pauses) a few additions? Just some comments I might make along the way?