World Cup 2018 Assembly

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.