Play Scripts for Kids Children's drama from page to stage

Seasonal

It has been traditional to mount performances at particular times of year for centuries – from the medieval mummer plays to the modern nativity, performances have long been associated with holidays and festivals. That history lends these productions a particular magic and there are now secular and non-denominational scripts which mean that mounting productions of this type no longer needs to exclude anyone.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted by Gary Owen


This is the first play adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel from an award-winning playwright who remains close to the original text but significantly updates the humor and fleshes out in spoken dialogue many of the important character passages from the book. This adaptation is not the stuffy stereotype of Victorian England but is unconventionally humorous, gritty and not at all tame in confronting poverty, greed and issues of unfairness in society: themes that will strikingly resonate with modern audiences.


This adaptation and the large size of the cast make it the perfect edition for the thousands of school performances which are held across the country each year during the holiday season. Unique to this adaptation, playwright Gary Own fills in the missing details in Scrooge’s background to explain his miserliness: how he was sent to a workhouse as a boy, starved, beaten and nearly worked to death. The Constable character from the workhouse then haunts Scrooge and appears every time he chooses money over humanity.



Advent Journey

Advent Journey by Ken Pickering


A Christmas musical show featuring an Advent Calendar with characters and objects appearing from the windows, taking the form of a journey towards the light at Bethlehem in an otherwise dark world


The play runs about 45 minutes and can be staged in almost any space using just simple props, or else a formal set with lavish costumes


Casting is also flexible and almost all parts can be play by either male or female


And the option to double-up, redistribute lines, and use additional musicians and dancers, makes it an ideal choice for Primary School, Drama School or Church Christmas production where it can be performed by a class, mixed age cast, or by adults for an audience of children


Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree

Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree by Michael Gravois


Aesop’s fables are given a festive spin …


There’s a mash-up of The Twelve Days of Christmas and The Tortoise and the Hare, where the six birds of Christmas compete in a comical race — with the turtle dove winning, of course. And a tiny snow mouse teaches the abominable snowman that little friends may prove great friends. Ebenezer Scrooge realizes that wealth unused might as well not exist. Santa’s elves dream of a life outside the workshop as they sing a “patter poem” about their ideal careers. And even though the eight reindeer panic when Rudolph gets a cold in the nose, they learn that necessity is the mother of invention


These dozen vignettes illuminate important life lessons by re-inventing the classic fables, blending humor, rhythmic elements, rapping, puppetry, poetry, song and storytelling to create a fast-paced, fun-filled show that’s filled with Christmas spirit.


8 to 50 gender-neutral roles


Single set – runs about 60 mins


Stageplays.com


Alex and the Warrior by Ann Coburn

Alex and the Warrior by Ann Coburn


Alex wants Grandad home from hospital for Christmas, so he makes a foolish wish. In spite of Cat’s warnings, he asks his favourite computer game character to come and help. But when The Warrior steps out of the screen, with a large sword and a lot of attitude, Alex begins to wonder what he’s let himself in for.


The Warrior’s deadly enemies, the Skarg, soon follow, trying to fit in as human beings in a world they don’t really understand. Alex and Cat struggle to keep The Warrior under control as they head through the winter streets to rescue Grandad, defeat the Skarg, conquer Karaoke and explain carol singing, all on one hectic and exciting adventure. Alex and the Warrior is a quest full of magic and danger, music and laughter: Dickens meets The Terminator in this modern fairytale for all the family.


Cast of 5 required


Christmas on Stage - An Anthology of Royalty-Free Christmas Plays for All Ages

Christmas on Stage – An Anthology of Royalty-Free Christmas Plays for All Ages – editor  Theodore O Zapel


You’ll find Royalty-free plays, readings, and monologs for all likes and all ages in this comprehensive anthology, all dramatizing the true meaning of Christmas. They offer both traditional and contemporary settings, drama and humor, new offerings and old favorites, and can be easily staged with a minimum of costumes and props. They may also be presented as live readings, tape recordings or radio-style broadcasts through sound systems.And since no royalty payments are required for performances, this low-cost anthology is a money-saving program resource for anyone with the responsibility of Christmas programming.


There’s enough material for many years of Christmas planning, and it’s conveniently divided into six sections –



  • Elementary Grades

  • Middle Grades

  • Programs for Teens and Adults

  • Readers Theatre for Christmas

  • Adaptations from Classics and Legends

  • Christmas Readings


Christmas Shorts - Going Home & The Christmas Witch & Xmas Cards & Nativity & The Student

Christmas Shorts – Going Home & The Christmas Witch & Xmas Cards & Nativity & The Student by Matt Hoverman


This Collection of hilarious festive comedy offers a wonderful alternative to the traditional seasonal play. The five short (10-15 minutes) comedy plays humorously comment on holiday themes – family, the nativity, Xmas cards, and elves!


The 5 Plays are …


Going Home – M1,F1


Newlyweds Greg and Cheryl have resolved to spend Christmas together alone in their tiny apartment for the first time


The Christmas Witch – M2,F1


Two dudes find their relationship challenged when an ex-girlfriend with a penchant for breaking hearts and feasting on human flesh shows up on Christmas Eve


Xmas Cards – M1,F1


Every year, prosperous, conservative couple Ned and Nelly fill out their Christmas cards together. Or rather, Ned tries to fill them out and Nelly slowly drives him insane. Why should this year be any different?


Nativity – M2,F2


Two strangers – one dressed as Mary, the other as Joseph for separate upcoming holiday pageants – meet in the waiting room of the Bethlehem, PA Fertility Clinic one Christmas Morning …


The Student – M2


Winner of the 2009 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival


A two-character holiday comedy about a burnt-out, adult education writing teacher who rediscovers his passion in one of the strangest student-teacher conferences of all time


“Four Stars! Touching and inspiring … a favorite!” ~ Indianapolis Performing Arts Examiner


Father Christmas and Uncle Holly

by Alison HedgerBuy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...


Published by Cyberpress


Large Mixed Cast


Did you know that Father Christmas has a twin brother called Uncle Holly?


This happy story with seven happy songs reveals the well-kept secret of the twin brothers


We also meet the army of red and green elves and learn about the secret snow tunnel


And how the elves spend their Christmas morning now all the toys are finished


And what Uncle Holly and Father Christmas do for their Christmas dinner


And how they spend Christmas afternoon


Lots of action and plenty of accompaniment on pots and pans!


For children in toddler and play groups, nurseries, pre-school, reception classes and Key Stage 1


It’s also suitable for older children with learning difficulties


Runs about 20 mins


SONG LIST:


FATHER CHRISTMAS

UNCLE HOLLY

SAW, HAMMER, PAINT AND GLUE

TRAMPING ALONG

FILLING UP THE SACKS

PLAY IN THE SNOW

LAUGH AND SING AND DO A DANCE


TBuy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...his is the PDF SCRIPT


Happy Christmas Tommy - the Christmas Miracle of 1914 - performance pack

Happy Christmas Tommy – The Christmas Miracle of 1914 – Performance Pack – includes Backing Tracks CD & Full Score  – by Anthony James


World War 1, the Western Front, both sides have quickly reached stalemate. Soldiers from Britain and Germany huddle in freezing muddy trenches, while shells and bullets explode around them. But on Christmas Eve 1914, the guns fall silent. For one brief magical moment the spirit and glory of Christmas shined across the battlefields of Flanders and Normandy, touching the hearts of mortal enemies. Dirty, tired, war weary soldiers from both sides climbed from their trenches to enter No-Mans land and to meet each other, to share chocolate, to tell stories, even to play a game of football.


Happy Christmas Tommy is based on that extraordinary Christmas of 1914 – those two days when the reality and futility of war were never so relevant, and the spirit of peace and goodwill never so strong.


Characters


Total Characters, Main parts – 4, British troops 4, German troops 4, Girls back home 2, Officers 1,  Chaplain. Troops general. (All numbers flexible)


This Performance Pack includes …


The Script


An Art Pack – containing instructions as to how to design and construct the scenery, make the costumes and recreate the props


Music Score – score for piano which usually includes guitar chords


Music CD – fully orchestrated Backing Tracks which can be used for performance & rehearsal


No Stable Too Small - Fifteen Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes

No Stable Too Small – Fifteen Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes


This great value festive Collection offers no fewer than 15 Christmas plays

These humorous, down-to-earth plays each bring a fresh perspective to the Christmas story through such creative devices as imagining the thoughts and feelings of fringe characters (like an innkeeper or a servant or one of the magi)


Or by updating the story with contemporary settings and characters


It also offers a variety of practical material for a range of situations – from shorter plays with small casts and lines that can be easily mastered by younger children to more elaborate pieces with sophisticated themes for older children and adults


The flexible scenes are especially valuable for small congregations that lack the resources to mount large-scale productions


No sets are required, and only simple costumes and minimal props are needed


And with a running time of about 20 minutes each, it’s easy to fit them within a Christmas Eve or Advent Sunday worship service


TITLES INCLUDE:


No Stable Too Small

Love Finds a Way

It Wasn’t the Hilton, You Know

Christmas Eve at Angel School

Because God Said So, That’s Why

No Small Parts

“Unto Us a Child Is Born”

Miracles? No Problem!


And seven more!


Papa Panov's Magic Christmas

Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...by Paul Thain from Leo Tolstoy


Published by Samuel French Ltd


Large Mixed Cast

Papa Panov is an old shoemaker, now almost too blind to thread a needle


On Christmas Eve he has a dream that Jesus will visit him on Christmas Day


Eager and anxious, he waits all day


But his only visitors are a tramp, a roadsweeper, and a pauper woman with her cold and hungry baby


Despite his disappointment and fading hope, Papa Panov gives them his coat, his money, his soup


And even the tiny shoes he was saving as a present for Baby Jesus


Night falls and his special visitor still hasn’t arrived


Papa Panov thinks himself a silly, old fool


But then he has another dream …


A dream which convinces him his special visitor did come after all


Adapted from a short story by Leo Tolstoy, Papa Panov’s Magic Christmas makes a perfect play for Christmas


Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...It can involve any number of children and it runs about 25 minutes


Papa Panov's Magic Christmas - PDF

Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...by Paul Thain from Leo Tolstoy


Published by Cyberpress


Large Mixed Cast

Papa Panov is an old shoemaker, now almost too blind to thread a needle


On Christmas Eve he has a dream that Jesus will visit him on Christmas Day


Eager and anxious, he waits all day


But his only visitors are a tramp, a road sweeper, and a pauper woman with her cold and hungry baby


Despite his disappointment and fading hope, Papa Panov gives them his coat, his money, his soup


And even the tiny shoes he was saving as a present for Baby Jesus


Night falls and his special visitor still hasn’t arrived


Papa Panov thinks himself a silly, old fool


But then he has another dream …


A dream which convinces him his special visitor did come after all


Adapted from a short story by Leo Tolstoy, Papa Panov’s Magic Christmas makes a perfect play for Christmas


Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...It can involve any number of children and it runs about 25 minutes


The Box of Delights

Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...by Piers Torday from John Masefield


Published by Faber & Faber


5 Male 3 Female


Adapted for the stage for the first time by Piers Torday, John Masefield’s much-loved classic The Box of Delights lauded by The Times as “One of the greatest children’s books ever written”

It’s a magical and festive adventure in which one boy must confront the secrets of the past to defeat the evil in his present


Kay Harker is heading home for the school holidays


Recently orphaned, he knows this Christmas will be different but nothing could prepare him for the journey that lies ahead


On the train he meets an old magician – Cole Hawlings – who charges Kay with safeguarding a wondrous device that has time-travelling powers


It’s an instrument that Cole’s nemesis, the wicked sorcerer Abner Brown, will stop at nothing to steal for himself


And so when the old man mysteriously disappears, Kay faces the fight of his life


Buy Now Green Button Png - Free Transparent PNG Download ...The future of Christmas itself depends upon him and now he must protect both the Box of Delights and the people he loves


The Christmas Cracker & Who Is Welcome? - Two Christmas Plays

The Christmas Cracker & Who Is Welcome? – Two Christmas Plays by Jenifer Hillman


The Christmas Cracker


Mother writes a letter to Santa, asking him to help her children find the spirit of Christmas.Santa sends his Sprite, who travels in an enormous Christmas cracker, and who gives the children five crackers to pull. Each cracker contains a different scene showing people giving at Christmas, and the play ends in the stable where, surrounded by the traditional Nativity characters.


Cast : 38 ( mostly variable m/f ) + shepherds, angels etc


Suggested Age Range : 5 to 8 – runs about 45 minutes


Music : Various Christmas songs throughout


Set : Home; Santa’s workshop; in the sky; the soup kitchen; Bethlehem (One Christmas-style backdrop would suffice)


Who Is Welcome?


This is the story of a group of aliens who, whilst following the Christmas star, crash-land on Earth. Here they meet a variety of characters, pirates, animals, kings and shepherds all travelling to Bethlehem to see the new-born king. Worried that they are either too dirty, strange or wicked, they are relieved to find that all are welcome in the stable.


Cast : 36 ( mostly variable m/f ) + shepherds, angels etc


Suggested Age Range : 5 to 8 – runs about 45 – 50 minutes


Music : Various Christmas songs throughout; a suggested list is provided


Set : In a spaceship; in the woods; the stable, or can be played with a backdrop of woods throughout


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