A Troublesome Flock: A Mother Goose Play for Children |
A. W. Pinero’s Plays Price, 50 Cents Each THE AMAZONS Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full evening. THE CABINET MINISTER Farce in Four Acts. Ten males, nine females. Costumes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. DANDY DICK Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and a half. THE GAY LORD QUEX Comedy in Four Acts. Four males, ten females. Costumes, modern; scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. HIS HOUSE IN ORDER Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE HOBBY HORSE Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. IRIS Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. LADY BOUNTIFUL Play in Four Acts. Eight males, seven females. Costumes, modern; scenery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. LETTY Drama in Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery complicated. Plays a full evening. THE MAGISTRATE Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by
Walter H. Baker & Company
No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts
A Troublesome Flock A Mother Goose Play for Children By ELIZABETH F. GUPTILL BOSTON
WALTER H. BAKER & CO.1916
A Troublesome Flock
CHARACTERS - Old Mother Goose.
- The Old Woman that Lived in a Shoe.
- Old Mother Hubbard.
- The Bachelor’s Wife.
- Contrary Mary.
- Milk Maid.
- Curly Locks.
- Dingty Diddlety.
- Cross Patch.
- Betty Blue.
- Jill.
- Bo Peep.
- Miss Muffett.
- Rock-a-bye-Baby.
- Baby Bunting.
- Bachelor.
- Jack.
- Tommy Tucker.
- Georgie Porgie.
- Boy Blue.
- Humpty Dumpty.
- Jack Horner.
- Simple Simon.
- Tom, the Piper’s Son.
- Willie Winkie.
NOTE Twenty-five characters—ten boys and fifteen girls—are called for but the entertainment can be given by a smaller number by eliminating some parts. The play is so arranged that this can be easily done. No special setting is required. It can be given in any hall or schoolroom. Time—About forty-five minutes. Drama masks. Copyright, 1916, by Walter H. Baker & Co.
COSTUMES These directions are for those who wish special costumes. These are picturesque and pretty, but not essential. If you do not wish to go to the trouble of making costumes, many of the children may wear their own school suits, being distinguished by what they carry—Bo Peep by her crook, Boy Blue by his horn, etc. Of course, those impersonating the old women must have long dresses. Old Mother Goose wears a quilted yellow skirt, about to her ankles, a red, pointed waist, and pannier overskirt, also of red. The waist has a chemisette of white. Her shoes are high-heeled, low cut black shoes, with large silver buckles and red heels. Her stockings are red. Her hair is powdered, and combed in any old-fashioned way. Her hat is a tall, pointed one, of black, with a red band. She may have her knitting. The Old Woman, who lived in a shoe, wears a rusty black dress, made with a straight, full skirt and a basque. She has a white apron and kerchief, old-fashioned square bowed glasses (the frames only, of course), and a white cap, the strings hanging down on either side. Her powdered hair hangs in little curls on each side of her face. She carries a large shoe, cut from pasteboard, and covered with black, which is full to overflowing with dolls. She also has a bunch of switches. Old Mother Hubbard wears a red skirt, an old-fashioned “polonaise” of some flowered material (large figures), a bib apron, a white kerchief, and either an old-fashioned bonnet, or a ruffled cap. In either case, the strings are tied primly beneath her chin. She might carry a bone. She has black mitts. The Bachelor’s Wife wears a hoop skirt, and a white dress, the skirt of which is covered with ruffles. The waist may be made in any way that goes well with the skirt. She has a white shawl, white mitts, and a white bonnet trimmed with pink ribbon and rosebuds. This must be bent and soiled by her fall. Her dress must have a mud-stain or two, and be rather rumpled. She carries a satchel or carpet bag. Contrary Mary wears a dress of some large-flowered goods. The waist is very short and full, the skirt is straight, and very full, after the Greenaway style, and ends about half-way between her knees and ankles. It has a low round neck, and short puffed sleeves. She wears a long string of shells and beads, of different styles and colors, strung anyhow. She has a ruffled white apron, which she wears behind, tied in a large bow in front. On one foot is a white shoe and black stocking, on the other a black shoe and white stocking. On one hand is a long black mitt, on the other, a tan glove. She has a cap on, with the visor behind. One side of her hair is in curls, the other in a braid. She may carry a watering pot. The Milk Maid wears a dress of pink print or gingham, with the neck cut in a narrow, deep square outline, and edged with a narrow white frill. She has a white bib apron. Her sleeves are rolled above her elbows, and her dress and apron are folded smoothly up and pinned to display a green striped petticoat. She wears white stockings, low black shoes, a coquettish little white sunbonnet, and carries a three-legged milking-stool and a dented pail. Curly Locks has a white ruffled dress, a pink sash and shoulder ribbons, pink stockings, white shoes, and carries a pink sofa cushion to sit on. She may also have a thimble. Dingty Diddlety wears a hoop-skirt, and a dress of some material with very large figures. It has a straight, full skirt, gathered on to a plain waist with very full bishop sleeves, gathered into a narrow wristband, which fastens with one button. She has a round collar of lace or linen. At her left side hangs a large outside pocket, or bag. Her hair is parted, combed smoothly down on each side to hide the ears, and gathered into a knot low in the neck. Pin the collar with a large round or oval brooch. Her sleeves and pocket are filled with “gombobbles.” These are made by covering balls of wadding or crumpled tissue paper with orange-colored crepe paper. The “gombobbles” should be the size of small oranges, somewhat flatter. Have as many as her sleeves and pocket will hold. Cross Patch wears a short-sleeved red dress, and a full gathered pinafore of red and white print, made after the fashion of the pinafores so commonly worn in England. She wears a sunbonnet of red and white checked gingham, which she takes off, and swings crossly, occasionally. Sometimes she pulls up her apron, and sulks into that. Betty Blue wears an Empire dress of blue, blue stockings, and white shoes. A blue ribbon passes around the very short waist of her dress, and is tied at the left side of the front in four short loops and two long ends which fall to the hem of the skirt. The elbow sleeves are tied around with blue ribbons, as is her hair. She may wear a large hat of shirred blue mull, or no hat, as preferred. When she enters, one shoe is missing. Jill wears a gingham dress, with a long-sleeved print “tier.” One elbow of this is noticeably patched, the other has a good-sized hole. The tier is trimmed at neck, wrists and bottom with ruffles of the print, which are torn and dangling here and there. It has ties, one of which is ripped off, but hangs with the other in a limp, stringy bow. The back is decorated with a large grass stain; the front by an earth stain and a “barn-door” tear. Her hair hangs loose and tumbled, with no hair ribbon. Her feet are bare. If for any reason the bare feet are not liked, her shoes must be well worn, and her stockings torn. A torn petticoat should show a bit. Bo Peep wears a short, quilted skirt of blue, with a waist and overskirt of white, flowered with blue. The low, square neck, full elbow sleeves, and overskirt are edged with frills of the goods. The overskirt is looped up over the quilted skirt with blue ribbon bows. She has a large leghorn “flat,” trimmed with forget-me-nots or daisies, tied down, gipsy fashion, with blue ribbon. She carries a long crook, covered with silver paper, with a large blue bow tied just below the crooked part. Miss Muffett wears a pink dress, with a thin white overdress, with low, round neck and elbow sleeves. The neck, sleeves and bottom of over-slip are edged with ruffles. The slip is caught up a little to show the pink skirt. High under her arms is a broad pink sash, tied in a big bow behind. She has a full mob-cap of the white over pink, with a wired frill, and a pink ribbon passing around crown, and tied in a bow at side or front. Her stockings are pink or white, her shoes white. She carries a spoon. Rock-a-bye-Baby wears a short white dress with a yoke, short white socks, and slippers. Her short sleeves are tied up with ribbons of baby blue, and she may wear a broad sash of the same color. She has a white lawn baby bonnet, with broad ties. She carries a Teddy Bear. Baby Bunting is dressed like Rock-a-bye Baby, with pale pink ribbons instead of blue. When she comes in, she wears a coat and bonnet of white bearskin, but as these are too warm to keep on long, Mother Hubbard may help her to remove them before she sits down with Rock-a-bye Baby. She carries a toy rabbit. The Bachelor wears an old-fashioned suit, with long coat, knee breeches, and a ruffled bosom shirt. He has white stockings, low shoes with big buckles, and a tall hat. Jack wears a checked gingham shirt, and blue overalls, which bear witness to the fact that he “has fallen into a mud-puddle, flat.” His overalls are rolled up above his knees, and his feet are bare. There should be a patch or two, also a tear, somewhere about him. A battered straw hat is on the back of his head, his hair is uncombed, and he is none too clean. He and Jill have a battered pail. Jack has it when he enters, but Jill has it part of the time, and sometimes they swing it between them. Tommy Tucker wears gray knickerbockers, a blue Norfolk jacket, blue stockings and cap, and gray belt. Georgie Porgie wears a brown Greenaway suit, with long trousers buttoned over a short tight waist, in what used to be known as a “broadfall.” He has a white frill collar. He carries a large cloth spider by a string. Boy Blue wears a blue sailor blouse, blue knickerbockers, a leather belt, to which his horn is fastened by a cord, and a large haymaker’s hat, with a blue band. Humpty Dumpty is the fattest boy obtainable. He wears a blouse and knickerbockers of red, padded well. Pad his stockings, also, and make him look as round and fat as possible. Jack Horner wears a gingham “tier” and white frill collar over his trousers in the fashion of little boys of thirty or forty years ago. His trousers come half-way to his ankles, but the tier stops at the knees. It has a strap across the back, and is often below the strap. Simple Simon wears a carter’s smock frock of brown jean or linen, not too clean, with long loose trousers of the same material. The frock comes to his knees. His hair is mussed. He is eating a pie, which he carries in both hands, with no plate. Tom, the Piper’s Son, wears a Greenaway suit of gray, with a short round jacket of dark red, and a white turn-down collar. His stockings and cap are red. He carries his pipe, a toy flute. Wee Willie Winkie wears his “nightgown”—one of the sleeping garments cut with legs, in either white or colored outing flannel. This may have feet, or he may wear bed slippers. Better still, he may have his feet bare. Choose a small, mischievous boy for this part.
Impress each child with the character he is supposed to bear, and have him act it out all the time he is on the stage. The old women pronounce their words in an old-fashioned way. Mother Goose and Mother Hubbard may knit, the Old Woman tend her babies, Jack and Jill nudge and push one another, or tease others. Miss Muffett sulks, Cross Patch strikes at the boys who tease her, etc. The Bachelor occasionally tries to join some group, but is always brought back by his wife, who lectures him in pantomime. Tom Tucker is all taken up with the Milk Maid. Simon, when not eating, stares, open-mouthed, and backs away from Jack Horner, who is inclined to fight with him. Once in a while, Georgie scares one of the girls with his spider. Contrary Mary refuses to be scared, and tries to catch the spider. Occasionally she waters some one with her watering pot. All this should be in pantomime. The songs, except where otherwise stated, are sung by all on the stage, except the one they are sung at. The piano should not be in evidence, but just accompany the children to help them keep the tune. If given in a schoolroom with no curtain, they may all run out after the final “yell.” The tunes are easily learned by rote, in fact, many of them will be familiar to the children. They can be sung nicely without accompaniment, if given in the schoolroom. Many of the little boys’ suits worn just now are charmingly picturesque, and have a quaint, old-fashioned air, fitting them perfectly to be “Mother Goose Costumes.”
A Troublesome Flock Enter Mother Goose, advances to front, drops an old-fashioned curtsey. Mother Goose. Good-evenin’, good people. I’m sartinly pleased To see such a company out. I’m an old-fashioned critter, as old as the hills, And so are my children, no doubt. For “Auld lang syne’s” sake, you’ve invited us here Jest to see ef we be jest the same As when you were young, and fast friends with us all. Well, here I be, and glad that I came. I hope that my children won’t show off too much, But there is no telling! You see, They are lively young critters, brimful of their pranks, And they’re troublesome comforts to me. When shet up in a book, they behave fairly well, But once let ’em loose, and—— Dear me What a racket! What can they be up to out there? Perhaps I had better go see. (She starts, but the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe entering, she turns back.) Was it your young ones making that terrible noise? Old Woman. No, it wasn’t. ’Twas some of your own girls and boys. My babies helped, crying a little, you see, But the poor things are hungry as hungry can be. I just wish I had that old dog by the ears, I’d pull ’em, I wager, until I fetched tears! I’d made a big kettle of broth, rich and good, When I spied Willie Winkie a-stealing my wood; And while I was chasing the mischievous tike, (Such a chase as he led me! You ne’er saw the like! He was sassy, and called names, too, over and over!) Well, while I was chasing o’ him, old dog Rover Come snooping along; and he spied out the kettle Where I’d sot it a minute, to cool and to settle, And he stuck in his nose, that’s so long and so lean, And jest gobbled away till the kettle was clean. My babies all yelled to see their bill of fare Going down that dog’s neck, but not much did he care Till I caught him, and gin him a trouncing. You bet That the greedy old critter’s hide smarts on him yet. Then I gin Mother Hubbard a piece of my mind Till she went away, snuffling. Said I was “unkind”! Mother Goose. There, do stop your jawing! Just give them some bread. I often have told you you should. A good slice of bread, spread with butter and jam, Is sure to do any child good. Old Woman. I never give bread to my babies, you know! It isn’t good for them, at all. ’Twould give them the colic; and only just think If they all at once started to squall! Mother Goose. Then they must wait till milking time, it won’t be very long: One’s crying now! Old Woman. I’ll spank it. Mother Goose. No, soothe it with a song. (Old Woman takes up one baby, and sings to it. Tune: No. 1.)
Old Woman (singing). Byelow baby, sleep like a lady, You shall have milk when the cow comes home. (She should fuss over her babies a good deal, as the play progresses, occasionally taking up one to kiss, cuddle, or spank, as the case may be. A bang is heard, then a peal of laughter, followed by a scream.) Mother Goose. There! That’s the twins, you can tell by their noise. They make as much racket as seventeen boys! (Jill runs in, with Jack in pursuit. Mother Goose seizes him, and Jill turns and makes faces at him.) Jack (struggling). Lemme go, Mother. Just let me catch Jill. I’ll fix her! Jill. No, sonny, I don’t think you will. O Mother, you ought to have seen him fall flat In the mud-puddle. Jack. Jill was to blame, Ma, for that! Jill. I wasn’t! Jack. You was! Jill (illustrating). Why, you sprawled just like that! Jack. Well, you stuck out your foot. Mother Goose. That’s enough, now, of that. Have you fetched any water? Jack. A barrel or two; and we’re hungry. Jill. Oh, give us some pie, Mother, do! (She clasps Mother Goose’s waist.) Mother Goose (smoothing down her dress and putting back her hair). Such a wild-looking child! Come now, listen to me! Spruce up now! Act pretty! There’s strangers here. See? Go sing for ’em, nice now, just so they will know You’re not wild critters, even if you do seem so. Jack ⎫ (advancing, grin, fidget a bit, look at each other and Jill ⎭ giggle, then bow elaborately, and sing. Tune: No. 2). Jack and Jill. Jack and Jill rolled down the hill And spilled their pail of water. Ma got mad and spanked the lad, And likewise little daughter. Jack did run to have some fun With Jill a-following after. Where they’re met, there’s fun, you bet, And jokes and tricks and laughter; Quarrels, too—just one or two! We spat with all our might, sir. Life’s not nice without some spice, And that is why we fight, sir. (They turn to audience.) There! Now it’s your turn. Enter Bachelor, followed by Wife. Jack. Gee! Here comes the old Bach With his wife trotting after. Jill. Just look at that thatch! Wife (removing bonnet). Look at that! I should say so! And look at my gown! Do I look like a bride that has just come from town? Bachelor (brushing her dress). It will straighten out, Wifey, and look just as well As ever. Yes, better, perhaps, who can tell? Wife. Straighten! My dear, haven’t you any brain? And you’re rubbing the mud in! That horrible lane! Old Woman. You do look a sight, dearie, yes, so you do, As if you had been in a terrible stew. Did you tumble? Wife. He spilled me. A fine bridegroom that! Jill. Another one fell in the mud-puddle, flat. Mother Goose. But where’s the wheelbarrow? I told you, you know, To wheel her right carefully. Did you do so? Bachelor. My bride was so heavy, the wheelbarrow broke. To wheel such a plump little wife is no joke! And she’s mad! She just scolded me right out and out, I’m afraid that her elbows are sharp. Wife. There’s no doubt That you’ll find them so, Hubby, if you try that trick Upon me again. Now you’ll just go right quick And mend that wheelbarrow, and take me to town, And buy a new bonnet, and likewise a gown. Bachelor. But I can’t, my dear love. I have spent all my cash On the wedding. Wife. Oh, why was I ever so rash As to trust my new clothes to that wabbly wheelbarrow Where the lanes were all muddy and terribly narrow! Jack. Next time, little woman, just use your own feet And hold up your gown, if you want to keep neat. Old Woman. Yes, Shanks’ mare is safest. I travel that way. I don’t trust my old bones to wheelbarrow or shay. Wife. Well, as soon as he earns it, he’ll buy me a gown And a bonnet as well. There now, Hubby, don’t frown. Of course you expected to give me your cash, Or else why get married? Bachelor. Oh, dear! I was rash. I got me a wife just to keep my house nice, To cook me my dinner, to drive off the mice, To sew on my buttons, and sing o’er each task. I didn’t suppose she for money would ask! Must I give it to her, Mother Goose? Mother Goose. Why, of course. Jack. Don’t you do it, old fellow. Spunk up and be boss! Wife. Spunk up and be boss! Pretty good, Jacky dear, When you know that your twin leads you round by the ear. Jack. She doesn’t! Jill. I do. Old Woman. Yes, she sartainly do! Bachelor (to Jack). Say, let’s run away from this crowd, me and you. (Wife takes Bachelor by the collar, Jill seizes Jack by the ear.) Jack (pulling Jill’s hair). Here, stop that, you Jill! Bachelor. And, my love, please let go! Wife. Not till you promise to stay. Oh, no, no! I’ll be no grass widow. (Shakes him.) Do you go or stay? Bachelor. I stay, love, of course. Wife (releasing him). And you’ll do as I say. Jack. He’s henpecked! He’s henpecked! Old Woman. Well, Bub, so be you. Jack. I ain’t! Old Woman. Yes, you be. Mother Goose. Come, stop bickering, do! (Jack, Jill, and Old Woman sing. Tune: No. 3.) No. 3. THE BACHELOR’S WIFE. (Also, Dingty Diddlety.) music [Play Music] Jack, Jill, Old Woman. The Bachelor got him a nice little wife, And she’ll be the joy and the plague of his life. He’ll have to buy bonnets and many a gown, And do as she bids him with never a frown. Bachelor. Well, that wasn’t quite what I reckoned on When I married, don’t you see—— Wife. You quite forgot, my Hubby dear, That you’d have to reckon with me. (Screams are heard. All listen. Miss Muffett runs in, crying, followed by Georgie Porgie.) Miss M. Ma! Make Georgie Porgie behave! He’s so bad! Old Woman. That’s so. He’s a tarrible mischievous lad. Mother Goose. And what’s he been doing now? Kissing you? Miss M. No. It’s worser than that. (He brings spider from behind him, and swings it toward her. She screams.) Ma, don’t let him do so! Mother Goose. Now behave, Georgie Porgie! Old Woman. He can’t let her be. Why he does want to pester folks so for, beats me! Miss M. I was having a party, alone, right out there On a tuffet, and he gave me such a bad scare! I broke my new bowl with the border of blue And spilled all my curds and my whey, Mother, too. Do whip him! He needs it! Georgie. Well, she was a pig! Her bowl was chuck full. Miss M. Well, ’twas small! Georgie. No, ’twas big, And she wouldn’t give me the least taste! ’Twasn’t fair! So I crept up behind her, and gave her a scare. (’Twas only a cloth spider, too, honor bright!) But she scampered off in a terrible fright, And let the bowl drop. It fell with a crash, And her feast all ran out, while the bowl went to smash. (All sing, while Miss M. sulks. Tune: No. 4.) All. Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Selfish as she could be. Never she’s sharing, No tiny bit sparing. A cute little piggie is she. Miss M. Ma, make ’em stop! They’re plaguing me! Mother Goose. Well, you should have shared with him, you see. (All sing, as before.) All. Look at the spider, Who sat beside her! Isn’t he queer and fat? He’s only a cloth one, Oh, she is a soft one To be so much frightened at that! Miss M. Ma! Ma! Do make ’em stop! Mother Goose. Don’t whine. Miss M. Well, some of ’em’s teasing me all the time. (All sing, as before.) All. Little Miss Muffet Never can rough it; Always she’ll howl and yell. Be careful to please her, For if you should tease her, She’ll run to Ma, bawling, and tell. Miss M. I don’t like any of you girls and boys, And that isn’t singing. It’s just a big noise. (Georgie swings spider at Wife. She screams, and clasps her hands around Bachelor’s arm.) Wife. Oh, save me, dear, save me! The horrible beast! Bachelor. It’s just a cloth spider, can’t hurt in the least. Stop scaring my wife, sir! Take that thing away. (He swings it toward shoe.) Old Woman. And don’t scare my babies. Go ’way, now I say! Georgie. I’ll kiss ’em all round, then. Old Woman. You just let ’em be. They’re frighted o’ you, ’cause you plague ’em, you see. Georgie. Then I’ll kiss Tomboy Jill. Jill. Ho! You don’t dare! You know That I slap your face well when you bother me so. Georgie. Well, to kiss a new bride’s quite the thing, don’t you see. Bachelor. No, it isn’t! Her kisses belong, sir, to me. Georgie. Ho! ’Tis every one’s privilege to kiss a bride. (Kisses her cheek with a loud smack.) Gee! Wasn’t that sweet? I must kiss t’other side. (Does so.) Bachelor. You’ve insulted my wife! An apology’s due. Georgie. No apologies here, Bach. Bachelor. Then I challenge you To a duel, to-morrow, at quarter past nine. Just pick out your second, and I will name mine. Is it pistols or swords, sir? (He has started toward Georgie, but his Wife takes him by the collar and marches him back.) Wife. Here! You come right back! I’m sure I should not look at all well in black. ’Twas only a kiss, and besides, don’t you see, If you’re killed, who’ll buy dresses and bonnets for me? (All sing. Tune: No. 5.) No. 5. GEORGIE PORGIE. (Also, Cross Patch.) music [Play Music] All. Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls, and made them cry. When he kissed the bride—too bad! Hubby did get awful mad. (Contrary Mary runs in, backward, turns around, runs up to Bachelor, and kisses him.) Wife. Here! Stop that, you impertinent Miss! It isn’t the groom, it’s the bride they kiss. What a forward young snip! Bachelor. Well, Wife, I vow I liked it. Old Woman. The shoe’s on t’other foot, now. Mary. I never do things the way other folks do. That’s the reason I kissed him instead of you. Wife. Well, I—— Mother Goose. There, there, now! Don’t fuss. It’s just Contrary Mary. If you mind her, she’ll do something still more contrary. (All sing. Tune: No. 6.) |
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