Primary school

by Peter Griffith

 

The eccentric aristocrat Lady Bigmouth is touring Germany, visiting primary schools. With her is her long-suffering Butler Baxtiff, who has to do everything that Lady Bigmouth says. Also with her is Buckingham, Lady Bigmouth's pet guinea-pig. Lady Bigmouth's visit guarantees an hour of fun for audiences in the 1st and 2nd school-years – what happens when Buckingham escapes among the children? – and how does poor Baxtiff deal with the demands of his employer that he should find fresh food for the adventurous guinea-pig, or milk an angry cow to provide her with a glass of milk?

 

The play is written in extremely simple English, and is presented very visually so that even 6- and 7-year-old children in their first years of learning English can enjoy the slapstick humour. During the play the children have a chance to practise words that they will have been learning in their lessons – the colours, the numbers, the parts of the body, the clothing, opposite adjectives, etc.

 

 

Photos of 'Buckingham'

 

Extract from the script 'Buckingham'

Lady B: This is Baxtiff. He is my butler.
Baxtiff: My lady?
Lady B: You are my butler.
Baxtiff: Yes, my lady.
Lady B: Baxtiff helps me. He must do what I say! Baxtiff!
Baxtiff: Yes, my lady?
Lady B: You must do what I say.
Baxtiff: Yes, my lady.
Lady B: What must you do Baxtiff?
Baxtiff: I must do what you say, my lady.
Lady B: That's right. Baxtiff!
Baxtiff: Yes, my lady?
Lady B: Turn round.
Baxtiff: Yes, my lady. (Baxtiff turns round)
Lady B: You see? Baxtiff does everything that I say.

by Peter Griffith

 

The story of Dick Whittington is one of England's best-loved folk-tales. The young Dick arrives in London, with nothing to eat and no money. His only friend is his cat... but the cat helps Dick to become the richest man in London.

 

Dick Whittington is a lively and exciting play with a wealth of comic characters – a positive experience for primary-school pupils who are beginning to learn English. The play makes use of vocabulary that will be familiar to pupils in the 3rd and 4th school-years colours, food, animals, household items, etc.


 

Photos of 'Dick Whittington'

 

 

Extract from the script 'Dick Whittington'

Mrs R: So, you are the new kitchen-boy, are you? What is your name?
Dick: My name is Dick.
Mrs R: Well, I am Mrs Rednoze. I am the cook, and you must do what I say. What must you do?
Dick: I must do what you say, Mrs Rednoze.
Mrs R: That’s right. I don’t like lazy boys. Are you lazy?
Dick: No Mrs Rednoze.
Mrs R: Yes you are. You are a lazy little beggar-boy. What are you?
Dick: I am Dick.
Mrs R: No, you are a lazy little beggar-boy. Say it. What are you?
Dick: I am a...
Mrs R: Go on.
Dick: Lazy...
Mrs R: Yes?
Dick: Little...
Mrs R: Go on.
Dick: Beggar-boy.
Mrs R: That’s right. That’s what you are. A lazy little beggar-boy. And what do I do with lazy little beggar-boys?
Dick: I don’t know, Mrs Rednoze.
Mrs R: Mrs R: I beat them. Like this. (Mrs Rednoze hits Dick with the rolling-pin)
Dick: Ow!!!

by Peter Griffith

Frootsie and Mudge visit your school!  Frootsie thinks he is very clever... and Mudge knows that he is very silly. They make friends with the audience, using all the words that they have learnt in their English lessons. Together, they discover how to ask for food, and put on clothing, and sing action-songs. They visit the farm, and the town centre, and the zoo. . . But they feel happiest when they are in the school, with their friends. This play in very simple English is an interactive play for all beginners using easy vocabulary and bringing laughter and fun to English lessons.

Photos of 'Frootsie and Mudge'

Extract from the script 'Frootsie and Mudge'

Frootsie: Mudge, why are you scared of them?
Mudge: There are so many of them.
Frootsie: Yes, but there is nothing to be scared of.
Mudge: Isn’t there?
Frootsie: No. They’re really small
Mudge: Are they?
Frootsie: Yes. Look at them. Look at this one; she’s very small. What’s your name?
Child C: C
Frootsie: Hello C, I am very pleased to meet you. Please stand up.  Mudge, C is very small. Stand back to back. Mudge, look how small C is. C, this is my friend Mudge.  Can you say hello to Mudge?
Child C: Hello Mudge.
Frootsie: Thank you, C, this is very good. Now Mudge, say hello to C.
Mudge (nervous): Hello C.

the greeting goes on with several children… later: 

Frootsie: There - you see. They are all very nice.
Mudge: All of them?
Frootsie: Yes, all of them. They are very very nice. They are all your friends.
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