Christmas plays for children by Robert Smith

The Gnaughty Gnome Target Age Group 9 - 11 Cast c.25 A Christmas fantasy. The Gnaughty Gnome tries to stop Father Christmas delivering presents. Christmas is saved when 4 toys from his sack are brought to life to track down the Gnome. They find him in Nursery Rhyme Land and it turns out that he is responsible for all the things that go wrong! (He stole the Queen of Hearts' jam tarts for example) 5 catchy songs that your children will love singing. "Hi Robert, Just thought you would like to know that 'The Gnaughty Gnome' play which you supplied went down a real treat just before Christmas" Primary School Dorset "I wish to repeat the play of the Gnaughty Gnome, which was carried out very successfully three years ago." Primary School Rhyl 2005 "Captivating and original new pantomime. It really was a clever package - in fact I enjoyed it more than a professional panto." Kent and Sussex Courier "Thanks for sending the script. I've read it over and I think it's an excellent choice for my group of students" Elementary School Counsellor, Nevada November 2003 "I purchased the Gnaughty Gnome from you last year and my pupils thoroughly enjoyed it." Primary School Teacher, Edinburgh, Scotland 2004	The Christmas That Nearly Wasn't Target Age Group 4 - 7 Cast At least 15 My best seller by a long way! Father Christmas has been on holiday for too long and doesn't want to bother with all those presents. The elves are on strike and the reindeer have grown too fat to fly! Mrs Christmas saves the day. Cast of at least 15. The story is told by narrators. Father Christmas has quite a few lines to speak, the rest are one or two liners. 6 lovely songs. "It was a huge success especially as we added a twist - the parents and workers at our pre-school performed it to the children of the village and it went down a storm. So much so that we are having to put another show on this year and your adaptation of Snow White sounds just the ticket." Burghclere Pre-School Nursery Newbury "Many thanks for sending me the script. It's perfect for my young drama group" Shoutabout Theatre Co. Dorking, Surrey. "......but thanks for supplying us with a script that worked so well. We involved 180 infant school children, yes we did add a few snowflakes to accommodate them all -- we even had a few inspectors checking on Santa's workshop, they passed the inspection I'm glad to say!" Church Hill Infants School Leics
Grimstone's Glory Target Age Group 9 - 12 Cast c.15 Victorian Christmas Melodrama about an evil Sweepmaster and his unfortunate charges. Lots of drama, pathos, humour and a happy ending! 6 brilliant songs. "Junior School pupils have been playing to packed houses in the Village Hall this week with Grimstone's Glory, a gripping Victorian melodrama. Son of Scrooge, grandson of Fagin, the sweepmaster Grimstone casts the populace into gloom and despondency with his evil ways, but as Christmas approaches the villain mellows, sees the light and everyone lives happily ever after." Sussex Courier	Just In Time Target Age Group 4 - 7 Cast At least 15 More problems for Father Christmas. This year he has simply been working too hard - testing the new toys on the market, visiting shops undercover to see what's on offer, training all the 'shop Santas' - and Mrs Christmas insists he takes a nap. She even locks the door to his room so that no-one disturbs him. Unfortunately, she loses the key and pandemonium ensues. Needless to say the day is saved. The story is told by narrators, Father Christmas has the most lines to learn but there are many one or two line parts, and bags of opportunities for movement and dance and dressing up. Four hand-built songs Suitable for Infants, 4,5 and 6 year olds. "Thank you so much for writing us yet another box office triumph, but also for all your help putting the show together - it has been great fun!" Barcombe Primary School East Sussex
Sophie's Christmas Target Age Group 8 -11 Cast c.21 A retelling of the Christmas Nativity. It concerns the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, especially the census and the difficulty of finding accommodation, as seen through the eyes of a young girl.:~ 2 original songs and space for carols. One substantial speaking part (Sophie), several 'good size' bits and smaller parts If you want a play for juniors, based on the nativity, this will, I humbly propose, fit the bill. "The Headteacher said it was the best Christmas performance the school had ever staged" Mid Sussex Leader Dec 20 2001	The Special Gift Target Age Group 4 - 7 Cast At least 10 The Christmas Nativity for infants. Two children from the inn hear of the baby's birth, see the shepherds and the wise men bringing gifts and want to give him a present of their own. 3 main speaking parts, with scope for lots of dance and movement by others. 4 splendid songs.
Snow-White Target Age Group Written for adults to act, but suitable for all ranges Cast At least 10 The traditional Pantomime re-written for youngsters to enjoy. All in rhyme, with guest appearances from Captain Hook (looking for Peter Pan!) this was originally written for parents to perform to pupils, and it was achieved with the minimum of rehearsal! I am sure children will enjoy performing it. The Queen has the longest part - I played Snow-white so gave her very few lines, and there are lots of one or two liners so it is suitable for a range of children's ages and abilities. I have composed 5 brand new songs (I each for Snow-white, the Queen, the Dwarves and the Prince plus a rousing show stopper for the end ) and not a hi-ho in sight!! "We had our performance of Snow White yesterday and it was a huge success. We had a packed hall and everybody loved it so thank you again for another great play. We also introduced an autograph book at the end of the performance which we gave out to all of the children so they could get their favourite characters autographs and this proved to be hugely popular (both with the children and cast) so you may wish to pass that onto anyone else who purchases your script" Pre-school playgroup, Berkshire	The Stable of Stone Target Age Group 4 - 7 Cast At least 15 The Christmas Nativity story in a form ideal for very young children. Narrators (who need to be good readers) tell the story with one or two line speaking parts for others. 4 jolly songs. "Robert, I just wanted you to know that the Christmas play was a full success. We had a fun time practising and it turned out really nice. If I ever need another play I will definitely look at yours first. The response from the congregation has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you again and I wish you a very happy 2004" Barbara Shober Wyoming, USA

Jack and The Beanstalk

Target Age Group Suitable for 10 and 11 year olds and upwards. Cast At least 12

Another pantomime. All in rhyme with lots of humour, this play gives opportunities to a wide variety of abilities and acting experiences. Jack is the major role with lots of lines to learn, but there are plenty of other less exacting parts including Jack's mum, police officers, the giant, a local authority planning officer and, of course, the bean seller. Now with 5 great songs to accompany the action

"Just to keep you informed I have started the rehearsals for Jack and the Beanstalk and they are going extremely well. The children absolutely love the script and songs - Jack learnt all his lines over one weekend! Thanks again for all your efforts especially in producing the songs so quickly." Primary School teacher Durham UK December 2004

The Snow Queen

Target Age Group I have written three versions: - one for Infants (4-7 yr olds), one for early Key Stage 1 (7-9 year olds) and one for 10+ year olds. Cast At least 20 but scope for many more

Hans Christian Anderson's famous, haunting story adapted for young actors with six lovely songs to enhance the action.

All the key elements of the original story are retained, the three versions differ only in the amount of lines for each character and the difficulty of the language. Most of the story is carried by narrators, who need to be good readers. Gerda has the most lines to learn.

There are songs for the Wicked Magician (who starts the whole story), 2 for Gerda looking for Kay, The Snow Queen, and a happy song to end the show PLUS two dances (Sparrows and Snowflakes.) It really is a complete package.

All my songs come on CD - you can play and practice them anywhere, you don't have to worry when the hall, or the piano or the pianist is available

On most of the cds I provide four versions of each song.

I sing with a simple accompaniment. This gives the cast the best opportunity to learn the tune and the words

I sing with an instrumental accompaniment. This enables the actors/singers to get accustomed to the 'full' version

A piano only version which you may choose to use in performance or........

Finally the instrumental version alone which you can use as a 'karaoke' track in the performance.