Dialogs and Plays
Reading edition
The Hallowe’en Ghosts
[A dialog for twenty or more children, all ages. Eight wear sheet and pillow-case garments, enter from right and left on a darkened stage, make comical gestures, whirl round in couples, line up, recite]:
We’re the Hallowe’en Ghosts, Much like lamp posts; We make curious hosts, We’re the Hallowe’en Ghosts. Hush, hush, hush!
[One at a time, they tip-toe back to seats arranged at back of stage.]
First:
Oh! who will sing a ghostly song?
Second:
Ghostly hours to us belong.
Third:
We ought to act in a ghostly way.
Fourth:
The Harvest Moon makes it bright as day.
Fifth:
We try to speak in a ghostly voice.
Sixth:
On Hallowe’en we have no choice.
Seventh:
The time is late, the hours advance.
Eighth:
We soon will give a ghostly dance!
All:
To learn to be ghosts in any season. Is difficult, do you know the reason?
First:
We might learn to groan and also moan!
[All moan.]
Second:
Who’s next to speak? Why not learn to shriek?
[All cry.]
First:
I’m the ghost of a song, forgotten long, I hum as I join this silent throng; A ghost, of course, should properly grieve, When he has lost “Sweet Genevieve.”
[They hum or sing, “Sweet Genevieve.”]
Second:
I’m the ghost of the flowers, for hours and hours I’ve watered them with my tears, like showers; What if the ghostly flowers should be seen Here, late tonight on Hallowe’en?
[Tiny children enter with hoops of flowers, go through short drill and silently vanish.]
Third:
I’m the ghost of a dream, strange it may seem, I ride up and down on a pale moonbeam; The witch with her cat, neither lean nor fat, Side by side on a broomstick sat!
[A witch, cat and broom, cut from paper, are slowly lowered from above and withdrawn.]
Fourth:
I’m the ghost of a turkey, who once strutted gay, And came to his end on Thanksgiving Day!
All:
Ha ha; ho, ho; what did he say, The turkey—a ghost on Thanksgiving Day!
[A large picture of a turkey, or one cut from paper, should be lowered from above.]
Fifth:
I’m the ghost of the leaves, my spirit grieves, As my fancy a picture about them weaves; They dance and they play in merry October, The life of the leaves can never be over!
[Children wearing dresses covered with autumn leaves dance in; six at the right, six at the left; pass each other several times, form a circle. All go to center and back, holding hands high; every other one to center and back, every other one in place; every other one in center, remain there, form two circles, one circle right, one left; march right and left, meet in lines; march by twos, fours, sixes; march right and left, repeat; one line stands, the other line marches around them, weaves in and out between them; the line that marched, now remains still while the other line marches around them, and weaves in and out between them; form a circle at right and left of stage, skip out.]
Sixth:
I’m the ghost of a story book you know, Left a whole year out under the snow.
All:
He left the book in some secret nook, Tell us, has it a spooky look?
[Here a good ghost story may be told.]
Seventh:
I can neither retreat nor advance, I tell you I’m the ghost of a dance; I’m educated, but I regret, I can’t remember the minuet.
[All shake heads.]
Eighth:
I’m the ghost of the cat, who for long hours sat, Warm by the hearth, on a bright red mat.
All:
Meow—Meow—Meow.
[They now dance two and two and silently whirl off; or they may leave their seats one at a time, and the last one runs off shrieking.]
On Hallowe’en Night
A Play in Four Scenes
CHARACTERS
Six Witches—Either boys or girls.
Teacher—Larger girl.
Little Boo-Hoo—Small girl.
Little Never-Care—Small boy.
Miss Teaser—Girl.
Mr. Never-Say-Please—Boy.
School Children—Any number.
Four Owls—Either boys or girls.
Four Cats—Either boys or girls.
Trumpeter—Small boy.
Columbus—Larger boy.
Sailors—Any number.
COSTUMES
Witches wear long, black capes, pointed black hats and carry broomsticks.
Owls and Cats wear masks.
The other characters may wear their names on their sashes or caps, unless more elaborate costumes can be provided.
No special scenery is needed.