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!
Aesop Fables: The Lion and the Mouse Guided Reading Script
plus
lesson plan including teaching input, synopsis, guided reading script, discussion points and suggestions for further work.
Cast of 6, around 10 minutes reading time
Lesson: 20 – 30 minutes, depending on how much of the lesson plan is used. The material could, of course, be split over a series of sessions.
The script can be used either as a guided reading script (6 readers) or as a mini performance (cast of 6); and could be used either in a Literacy or PSHE class (owing to the life lessons contained within the text)
Sample Text
Lion: Because sometimes you need to listen to someone else, take their advice
Mouse: However small they are! And that’s exactly what he did!
Lion: Yes, I listened
Teacher: And then was ‘big’ enough to act on that advice! See, sometimes you can become big by the smallest actions!
Pupil 2: (To Lion) So you let the mouse go?
Lion: That’s right! Was I the champ? Or was I the champ?
Mouse: (Coughing) Eh hem! Small matter of what I said to you?
Lion: Ah yes! You mean, helping me out at some future event
Mouse: When you, my large friend, might actually need me!
Pupil 1: (To Lion) And did you? I mean, need your wee friend?
Lion: Oh, I most certainly did! I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today if I hadn’t let my rodent friend here go!
Narrator: So, what happened?
Lion: I got caught by hunters, is what happened! Soon after bidding farewell to Mouse here, I managed to fall into a trap and get all tied up in knots!
Mouse: (Laughing) How very careless of you!
Lion: No laughing matter, I can assure you! If you, Mouse, hadn’t come along and rescued me
Pupil 2: (Gasping) What? You, a mighty lion, rescued by a mini mouse?
Lion: Indeed. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Teacher: Which makes you an even bigger, grander lion in my opinion!
Pupil 1: And mine!
Pupil 2: (Spluttering) But, but, wasn’t it just the tiniest bit humiliating – being rescued by a mere mouse?
Mouse: (Sighing) Oh dear! I can see we might just have to spell this one out!
Other available scripts: The Fox and the Stork, The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs, The Jay and the Peacock and The Tortoise and the Hare - available separately or as a set.
An assembly on England in celebration of St. George's Day; plus a set of five Guided Reading Scripts (plus quizzes) with 6 speakers each; plus St. George's Day Poem. Whole package - 3 products for price of one!
Enjoy!
St. George's Day Set of 5 Guided Reading Plays on England:
1. St. George Meets Robin Hood
2. A Brief History of the English Monarchy
3. Famous People
4. England's Geography and 'Places'
5. English Customs
This set of 5 plays, with 6 speakers each, plus quizzes, was written in celebration of St. George's Day. Narrated in all 5 plays by St. George himself, .... with a little help from Robin Hood!
Sample Texts:
Play 1 St. George meets ... Robin Hood
St. George: Ah Robin! Thank you so much for joining me this morning. I trust you have been given an explanation as to why you are here?
Robin Hood: Indeed. And may I say, it is an honour to fulfill such a role. That is, to one such as yourself.
Play 2
St. George: Please! A little respect for the dead! OK so Henry VIII wouldn't be most women's number one choice husband
Robin: Not if they valued their necks!
St. George: But his daughter certainly made up for his lack of heart!
Elizabeth I: Good Queen Bess! That's what they called me!
Play 3
Queen Eliz: Of course not! It was those other great qualities - of standing up for what you believed in
St. George: Like when I stood up for my faith, even though it cost me my life.
Churchill: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.."
Shakespeare: (Interrupting) "Friends, Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears .."
Lennon: Sadly that Emperor Diocletian didn't lend his or he wouldn't have had you beheaded ...
Play 4
St. George: But before we visit any of these places, let us quickly look at where England itself is.
Robin: That's easy! South of Scotland and East of Wales!
Play 5
Weatherman: Indeed. Every cloud has a silver lining!
St. George: Really?
Robin: Just an old English proverb. We have lots of those
International Children's Book Day Assembly or Class Play
This script was written in celebration of International Children's Book Day April 2nd 2017 including characters from Horrid Henry, Peter Pan, The Gruffalo, Charlotte's Web, Captain Underpants, Matilda, The Tales of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
NB This is the same script as World Book Day Assembly but adapted to International Children's Book Day.
Cast of 30 (easily adapted up or down)
Duration: Around 20 minutes not including music suggestions
Sample Text:
Narrator: Thank you! Of course there is so much to celebrate in the world of literature! All those wonderful inspirational characters!
(Enter Horrid Henry, scowling)
Horrid Henry: Dah! I suppose you’ve got a whole line up of squeaky clean characters for us today? Just got one word to say to that – BORING!
Narrator: And you are? (Pauses) Oh, don’t tell me – Horrid Henry!
(Aside to Audience) A shame he had to start us off today! Definitely not one of our more likeable characters!
(To Henry) Now, if you don’t mind, I do have a lot of other, shall we say ‘more wholesome characters’ to introduce!
Horrid Henry: (Scowling) Please yourself!
(Exit Horrid Henry, giving exaggerated ‘yawns’)
Narrator: (To Audience) Oh dear! Sorry about that! Let’s see if we can ‘raise the bar’ a little!
(Peter Pan ‘flies’ onto the stage)
Narrator: Ah! Peter Pan! How nice to meet you!
Peter Pan: The pleasure is all mine!
(Enter Wendy and Tinkerbell)
Peter Pan: I’d like you to meet
Wendy: (Curtseying) Wendy (looking at Peter Pan adoringly) Darling!
Tinkerbell: (Trying to ‘swoosh’ Wendy out of the way) And Peter’s favourite, Tinkerbell!
Peter Pan: (Laughing) Now, now Tinkerbell! We have spoken about that jealousy thing!
(Tinkerbell pulls a face, sulking)
Wendy: Oh but she’s so adorable! You can’t be cross with her for long!
(Enter Horrid Henry)
Horrid Henry: What was I saying about those yukky sugary-sweet characters? Time to introduce some more interesting ones!
(Horrid Henry beckons to Captain Cook and Crocodile)
(Enter Captain Cook and Crocodile, snapping at Narrator’s heels)
Narrator: (Angrily) Who let this beast on here? (Glaring at Horrid Henry) Oh I might have known you’d be up to no good!
Good and Bad Assembly or Class Play
Ever wondered why some people are happy and others not? Could it perhaps have anything to do with their outlook on life?
The two gangs in this assembly certainly see life very differently - well, they would, wouldn't they - given that one are a group of peace-loving hippies and the other, a group of street-wise warriors?
But no differences are irreconcilable. Read on!
Cast of 30 - easily adjustable up or down
Duration - around 10 minutes without inclusion of music suggestions (which will double the length of performance)
Sample Text
(BG stands for Bad Gang; GG stands for Good Gang)
BG Leader: (To GG Leader) There you have it, Sunshine! That’s my gang! Where’s yours?
Music 3 Joybringer – Manfred Mann’s Earthband
(BG 15 – 28 perform song, singing and dancing, joyously)
GG Leader: (Applauding) Ah now that’s more like it! Thank you so much!
GG 1: Oh! Our pleasure! Thank you for listening!
BG 1: (Mimicking) Oh! Our pleasure! Thank you for listening
(Bad Gang all fall about laughing)
(BG 2 goes over to GG 2, in threatening manner)
BG 2: So what are you going to say, little ‘joybringer’?
(Bad Gang all fall about laughing)
GG 2: Oh you needn’t think I’m afraid of you!
BG 2: Well, you should be! I don’t reckon much of your chances in a stand up fight with us lot
(Turns to Bad Gang) Am I right, guys?
Bad Gang: (Aggressively) Right!
(BG 2 swaggers back to seat)
GG 3: Oh I can’t tell you how much we’re (pointing to Good Gang) all looking forward to that!
(Collective Gasp from Bad Gang)
BG 3: Are you mad? Or just plain stupid?
GG 3: (Laughing) Maybe a little mad! But (pointing to Good Gang) we’re all good with that, right?
Good Gang: (Joyfully) Right!
BG 4: (Contemptuously) Pah! Just look at them! Thinking themselves so great!
GG 4: Oh I can assure you we’re far from being just thinkers!
BG 4: (Laughing, sarcastically) Right! You still up for some action?
(BG 4 struts up and down, bracing his muscles; Bad Gang all do the same)
GG 4: Very impressive – as a display! Shame it doesn’t have much substance!
BG 5: Pah! Just jealous, that’s what you are! Making fun of us – how low can you stoop!
GG 5: (Anxiously) Oh we didn’t want to make you feel bad about yourselves
Music 4 Bad – Michael Jackson
(Bad Gang all jump to their feet and perform again, as before)
Pancake Day Assembly or Class Play
Cast of 30. Duration 15 - 20 minutes. Maybe a case of too many cooks in the kitchen? And whoever said flipping a pancake was easy? Definitely time somebody in the kitchen gave up something for Lent - could the belly size of that Master Chef, Monsieur Bon Appetit, be a clue?
This is a light-hearted assembly based on Shrove Tuesday - otherwise known as Pancake Day or Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday!
Sample Text:
Narrator: Hmm! But the whole point of Shrove Tuesday
Chef 13: Is that it’s the last day before Lent!
Chef 14: Which is all about giving up things.
Narrator: And how long does Lent last?
Chef 15: Well, traditionally it’s forty days
Chef 16: Between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday
Chef 17: Or around six weeks leading up to Easter.
Narrator: OK. So going back to Shrove Tuesday, why the pancakes?
Chef 18: Well, I guess they’re a way of using up things like eggs, milk and sugar before this time of fasting?
Narrator: (Clapping) Ah! You guess right! Congratulations! So, what are we waiting for?
(Enter Master Chef)
Master Chef: Or shouldn’t that be, who are we waiting for? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten Moi?
Narrator: Ah! You must be
Master Chef: Monsieur Bon Appetit!
Narrator: A fine name
Master Chef: For a fine chef! The best! Moi? Je suis magnifique!
Narrator: (Aside) And so very humble! (To Master Chef) Monsieur, we are delighted you could join us today!
Master Chef: Mon plaisir! (Looking around) So, where is mon cuisine?
(Everyone looks around in confusion)
Narrator: Er, I think it might be helpful if you could try and stick to English.
Master Chef: (Huffily) As you wish! So, where is my pan? Where are my ingredients? Where
Narrator: (Interrupting) Oh don’t worry! We’ve got all that sorted! Look! You have an army of chefs to help you!
Master Chef: (Muttering to audience) Hmph! Ever heard the expression ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’?
Narrator: Sorry, we didn’t quite catch that!
Master Chef: Oh don’t worry! Just saying what a delightful set of helpers I have here today! So, let us start.
(Enter Chefs 19 - 28 with ‘kitchen props’; chefs proceed to prepare pancakes under watchful eye of Master Chef, who stands over and checks their every move, occasionally stepping in to show them how it is done ‘properly’)
Superheroes Assembly for Key Stage I
Duration:
Around 10 – 15 minutes depending on how many ‘superhero demonstrations’ there are. The first ‘speaking’ part of the assembly is around 5 minutes reading time. The rest of the assembly is down to the teacher in charge as explained in Production Notes.
Cast:
Written for cast of 30 but easily adaptable up or down. The cast comprises class teacher as narrator plus children 1 – 30.
This assembly or class play is in roughly two parts - the first deals with the qualities of a superhero and how a superhero would change the world; the second is a demonstration of 'superpowers' by different 'superheroes'.
It is very much a 'movable feast' - the children can make their own choices re: how they'd change the world; and likewise choose which superheroes they'd like to portray - they can even make up their own. I have thus provided a 'template' which can be adapted according to class numbers and 'members'.
Sample Text:
Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our assembly on
Whole cast: (Together) Superheroes!
Narrator: So, for the benefit of our audience, what makes a superhero? Or maybe I should ask the question, what makes a hero super?
Child 1: Super powers, of course!
Child 2: You can’t do much without them!
Child 3: Especially against those horrible baddies!
Narrator: So. Let me get this straight. Heroes are always good?
Child 4: Right. They fight for what is good in the world
Child 5: Against all that is bad!
Narrator: That must take a lot of courage!
Child 6: That’s why they’re superheroes!
Child 7: Brave!
Child 8: Strong!
Child 9: And determined!
Child 10: It’s not always easy being a superhero!
Narrator: (To cast) So. If you had the powers of a superhero, what would you do to make the world a better place?
Child 11: I would take food to everyone who was hungry.
Child 12: I would give shelter to everyone without a home.
Child 13: I would hug everyone who feels unloved.
Child 14: I would drive around in a Ferrari!
Narrator: (Snorting) Oh really! And how is that going to improve the world?
Child 14: Well, it would certainly improve mine!
Awe and Wonder Assembly
This KS II class play is on awe and wonder – and there’s plenty of that about in the awesome world of nature!
Scoring a ‘WOW!’ proves a bit of a challenge for this particular set of children – it seems to take a lot to impress the ‘awe-full-not’ teacher who is taking the assembly!
Cast of 30 (easily adaptable up or down)
Duration - around 15 minutes not including music suggestions
This script is the first in a series of Awe and Wonder Assemblies – the second one being on Man Made Wonders – loosely based on the Seven Wonders of the World but probably with a lot more thrown in! There will be ‘parallel’ simpler scripts for Key Stage I children on this theme.
Sample Text
Narrator: So. Let us make sure this assembly is (pauses) awesome! What have you got for me?
Child 12: Well, we thought we’d start with all the most awesome places in the world.
Child 13: Aside from our school, of course!
Narrator: (Smiling) Of course!
Child 14: So, what about
(Each child in turn holds up a picture of the place they are describing)
Child 14: This great lump of rock!
Narrator: Great lump of rock? What’s so awesome about that?
Child 14: (Indignantly, to Child 10) What were you saying about adults? This lump of rock just happens to be Uluru – otherwise known as Ayer’s Rock, in Australia.
Narrator: Well, it does have a pretty amazing colour.
Child 14: Red sandstone! Formed six hundred million years ago!
Narrator: Wow!
(Whole cast cheers)
Child 10: Wow! We got a wow!
Narrator: Well, I’m not that hard to impress!
Child 14: Difficult not to be impressed by the world’s biggest monolith – that’s a single rock, by the way!
Narrator: Yes, yes. I knew that!
Child 14: And that it’s some nine kilometres in circumference?
Narrator: Hmm. Of course! I am a teacher, you know!
Child 15: Well. What about this. The Grand Canyon!
Narrator: More rocks?
Child 15: (Indignantly) Yes but these rocks form one of the deepest gorges on Earth!
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’.
Easter Egg Hunt Assembly – Key Stage II
Cast Size - 10 or 30 (short and long version within one script - as explained in production notes) or any number in between. The main characters? Clumsy Chicken, Tactless Turkey, Grumpy Goose, Daft Duck, Feisty Pheasant, Greedy Guinea Fowl, Sad Swan, Envious Emu, 'Onourable Ostrich ... and an Easter Bunny called Funny Bunny! A star cast! And with over 20 jokes (not all of them fowl!) - join the crew and find out if Clumsy Chicken can be saved from her fate - as roast chicken!
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes. (10 minutes reading time; addition of songs/music takes performance to around 20 minutes)
Also available to buy separately: Key Stage I version of this script - Clumsy Chicken is joined by 29 feathery friends! The perfect excuse for a mask-making extravaganza!
These two scripts could be combined to add length to either i.e. jokes from the Easter Egg Hunt (KS II) could be added to the Key Stage I script; and additional characters from the Key Stage I script added to the Key Stage II script.
Sample Text
Child 13: How do you make a rabbit stew? (Pauses) Make it wait for three hours!
Funny Bunny: (Holding up hands) OK! Enough!
Child 14: What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny!
Funny Bunny: (Angrily, and having a quick itch) OK! What didn't you understand about enough?
Clumsy Chicken: (Jumping up and down, hysterically, on the spot) And I'm running out of time! Don't you see? If I can't give a basketful of eggs to the farmer, I'm .... I'm...
Tactless Turkey: Roasted? I think that's the word you're looking for!
(Clumsy Chicken clucks all the louder)
Funny Bunny: Now! Now! Don't panic! Don't panic! I'm sure help is at hand
(Enter Envious Emu and ‘Onourable Ostrich)
Envious Emu: (Strutting angrily up and down) Do you know? That peacock bird has been getting right up my beak! All that (demonstrates) flouncing around with her peacocky feathers! It's enough to make you ill!
‘Onourable Ostrich: Now, now! You really should try to be less envious of others! Anyone would think your name was
Funny Bunny: Envious Emu?
Envious Emu: How did you guess? A bunny with brains! Fancy that!
Grumpy Goose: Unlike this bird - with very little brain! Maybe it never made it to the top of that neck!
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)
Eurovision Song Contest Assembly or Class Play updated to 2018
Maybe this year – a few more points for Grande Bretagne?!
It's that time of year again! Get ready for the funniest show on earth! (Does anyone really take it seriously?!)
This assembly gives a quick chronological run through past winners ... and losers! How can, for example, the UK get it so right ... and yet so desperately wrong! A light hearted coverage of all UK winning songs (and runners up) plus such greats as Abba. The song list is memorable - for all the right reasons!
Cast size 30 - easily adaptable up or down.
Duration: 15 - 30 minutes (depending on number of songs chosen)
Sample Text
Music 8 Waterloo – Abba
(Whole cast plus ‘Abba representative sings song)
Narrator: Wow! What a hit that was! It certainly launched Abba into a glittering rock career!
Rock Star (‘Cliff’) (Grumbling) And as if it wasn’t bad enough - our beautiful Olivia Newton John being pipped to the post. Then it happens again the following year – this time to my mates The Shadows!
Music 9 Let Me Be the One – The Shadows
(Whole cast singing brief excerpt from song)
(Judge charging back onto stage)
Narrator: (Testily) You again!
Judge: But they didn’t win! I thought this line up was meant to be just for winners!
Narrator: (Outraged) What? And miss some of the best music? Never!
(Turning to cast) Are we agreed?
Whole Cast: (Blowing kisses at Narrator) Oh yes! Peace and happiness! We love you!
Music 10 Save Your Kisses for Me – Brotherhood of Man
(Whole cast plus Narrator sing this song)
Narrator: (Sighing) Ah! 1976! Another great win for the United Kingdom!
If by Rudyard Kipling Assembly or Class Play
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down.
Duration - around 10 minutes not including music suggestions.
Unlikely as this may seem but this classic poem by Rudyard Kipling manages to bring together 20 readers and 8 rappers - along with one somewhat incredulous Narrator and poet!
This assembly includes both original material and ... well, who can argue that the rappers aren't themselves a pretty original lot - to say nothing of the material they produce!
If the language of the original If seems a little dated now, take heart from what can still be gleaned from it, in the right enthusiastic hands!
Sample Text
Rapper 4: So I think it’s fair to say
Rapper 5: It’s all a bit iffy!
(All rappers laugh)
Narrator: Now, now people! A little respect for our great poet here, if you please!
Rapper 6: Oh! Absolutely no disrespect intended, bro!
Rapper 7: No, we were just making the point that none of what we are about to say is a given!
Narrator: Pardon?
Rapper 8: It’s all about making your own choices.
Rapper 1: Nobody can make you good!
Rapper 2: That has to come from you!
Rapper 3: And that’s not always easy!
Rapper 4: Take that first couple of lines
(Narrator points to Reader 1)
Reader 1: If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you
Rapper 4: Sound familiar?
Rapper 5: In this crazy world where everything has to be ‘now’, how many people do you know who can stay calm under pressure?
Other poems converted into plays by Sue Russell:
• Smugglers Song – Rudyard Kipling
• The Highwayman – Alfred Noyes
Also available – a large collection of alternative Shakespeare and fairy tale scripts plus
• Take a Book – Different Genres of Writing Assembly
• Great British Writers Assembly. This short small cast assembly - 6 speakers (with adaptations for whole class) focuses on the writers *Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll and J.K. Rowling and their books.
• Roald Dahl Assembly
India Assembly
Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down
Duration - minimum 10 minutes reading time - this, as explained in Production Notes, could be increased to 30 minutes plus
The cast (should that be caste?!) of this Indian Assembly or Class Play is anything but equal with the appearance of three gods - two with 4 arms and the other with 4 heads - which one is the narrator supposed to address?
Just one of the many problems facing our narrator - the main one being sheer volume of music, colour, joy and .. well everything that makes India such a vibrant country!
Sample Text:
Music 2
(Shiva dances across ‘the stage’)
(Narrator tries to stop him but is confused by the number of arms – four)
Narrator: Er, em, excuse me … but who are you and what are you doing?
Shiva: What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m dancing, of course!
Narrator: Well, I think we can all see that. But who are you?
Shiva: (Exploding) Who am I? Who am I?
Narrator: Well, if you put it like that – yes, who are you?
(Whole cast gasps in horror)
(Child 7 goes over to Narrator)
Child 7: (Aside) Surely you know who this is?
Narrator: (Irritably) Well, do you really think I’d be asking if I did?
Child 7: It’s Shiva – the Destroyer!
(Narrator gasps)
Narrator: Oh no! Not that god with the power of life and death?
Child 7: That’s the one!
Narrator: (To Shiva) Oh I am most dreadfully sorry! I had no idea that it was you, Shiva!
Shiva: Oh I’ll forgive you! I guess I do look (waving arms around) pretty ‘armless!
Narrator: Well, I wouldn’t say that! I mean, I think I counted … four arms?
Shiva: Oh that’s nothing! When you compare it with number of names I have!
Narrator: And they are? (Holds up fingers to start counting on) Now, let’s see. Starting with Shiva …
Shiva: Er, I don’t think we have time to run through the others – there are over one thousand of them!
This is one of several assemblies written by Sue Russell on different countries. Others include England, Scotland, Wales, Great Britain, Holland, Australia, France, Spain, Malta and India plus ‘Around the World in 20 Minutes’.
Other Indian scripts:
Divali and the Story of Rama & Sita (as a play within a play - a little like Midsummer Night’s Dream!)
plus scripts on Gandhi and on the Indus Valley Civilisation.
It's Good To Be Me Leavers Assembly
Class size - any
Duration - open ended
This leavers’ assembly can be tailored to any class or year group size; and likewise can be any length.
I have provided a 'skeleton script' of around 5 minutes actual reading time but with numerous opportunities to add on e.g. in 'Wish' and 'Achievement' sections. There are also numerous songs/music which can be included or omitted accordingly.
There is the additional fun 'option' of the schools staff 'joining in' at the end - but this is optional and can be left out.
Sample Text:
Child 1: What’s there to celebrate?
Child 2: (Holding up Numeracy exercise book) Look at my scores in Maths. Five out of ten, six out of ten, three out of ten … Why do I bother? I’ll never get Maths!
Child 3: Huh! Think that’s bad? You should see the marks I get in my spelling tests! You think you’ve got number blindness? (Child 2 nodding in agreement). Well, I’ve sure got a bad case of blindness when it comes to stringing more than two letters together!
Child 4: But at least you don’t make everybody around you wish they were deaf! (Starts singing totally off key/out of tune ‘Do Ray Me Far So La Tea Doe’ set of scales. Whole cast clasps their hands over their ears). See what I mean?
Teacher: (Uncovering ears) Hey? What? Oh, you mean your slight lack of musicality? Well, maybe there is just a little room for improvement.
Child 5: (Holding up bits of woodwork, taped together but falling apart) And what about my latest Design Technology ‘project’? I don’t think I’ll be getting the call to build the next Olympic stadium!
Teacher: (Stroking chin, reflectively) Hmm. Maybe not.
Child 6: (Holding up ‘art work’ – black dot in middle of yellow paint) And I don’t suppose I’ll be in the Tate Gallery any time soon!
Teacher: Ooh. I wouldn’t bank on it – have you been recently? ‘Anything goes’ there! I think your work would fit in perfectly!
Child 7: (Breathlessly) But what about me? I try every year to run that one minute mile – but have I got beyond one hundred metres yet? (Starts coughing and clutching his side) Not a chance!
Teacher: Enough! Enough! What is wrong with you guys?
Other Leavers Assemblies by Sue Russell:
• Leavers' Assembly for Year 6's
• Our School's Got Talent Leavers' Assembly
• Olympics Leavers Assembly
• School's Out Leavers' Assembly