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The Reluctant Dragon
Large Cast School Play for Kids to Perform

Sound Cues

Script Sample

THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
CAST LIST
Running Time: About 45 minutes
Flexible Cast of 43: Every role may be played by male or female!
Easily adapted for larger or smaller cast

WIDGET: A boy (m/f, 140 lines total)
WIDGET #1: (m/f, 25 lines)
WIDGET #2: (m/f, 24 lines)
WIDGET #3: (m/f, 20 lines)
WIDGET #4: (m/f, 17 lines)
WIDGET #5: (m/f, 21 lines)
WIDGET #6: (m/f, 17 lines)
WIDGET #7: (m/f, 16 lines)

HAIRYTOES: Widget's friend (m/f, 65 lines total)
HAIRYTOES #1: (m/f, 27 lines)
HAIRYTOES #2: (m/f, 20 lines)
HAIRYTOES #3: (m/f, 18 lines)

MORTIMER: A dragon (m/f, 63 lines total)
MORTIMER #1: (m/f, 21 lines)
MORTIMER #2: (m/f, 9 lines)
MORTIMER #3: (m/f, 16 lines)
MORTIMER #4: (m/f, 17 lines) 

SAINT GEORGE: A dragon slayer (m/f, 23 lines)

OLD FOLKS: Storytellers (m/f, 3 lines together)
SEASONED SALLY/SAL: (m/f, 12 lines)
ESTEEMED ELLIE/EDDIE: (m/f, 13 lines)
HIGH FALUTIN HAL/HELEN: (m/f, 12 lines)
LORDLY LOU/LORI: (m/f, 11 lines)
MAGNIFICENT MAGGIE/MOE: (m/f, 12 lines)
VENERABLE VAN: (m/f, 12 lines)

SHEPHERDS: (m/f, 1 line together)
ANGUS: Widget's father (m/f, 32 lines total)
ANGUS #1: (m/f, 17 lines)
ANGUS #2: (m/f, 15 lines)
GILROY: (m/f, 17 lines)
LUDWIG: (m/f, 19 lines)

GRODY GOBSTERS (Neighborhood bullies):
SCUMWORTH: A bully prince (m/f, 22 lines)
BRILLOPAD: (m/f, 5 lines)
SNORGGLES: (m/f, 6 lines)
FESTER: (m/f, 9 lines)
RATSBEAK: (m/f, 4 lines)
YELLSALOT: (m/f, 5 lines)

MOTHER: Widget's mother (m/f, 11 lines)

VILLAGERS: (m/f, 11 lines together)
TOWN CRIER: (m/f, 5 lines)
MILKMAID: (m/f, 4 lines)
BLACKSMITH:  (m/f, 3 lines)
COBBLER:  (m/f, 3 lines)
FARMER: (m/f, 3 lines)
BAKER: (m/f, 3 lines)
WOODSMAN: (m/f, 3 lines)

KING FANCY PANTS: (m/f, 19 lines)

GURU GUYS: (m/f, 9 lines together)
MASTER GURU: (m/f, 9 lines)
MANTRA MOLLY:  (m/f, 4 lines)
TRANSCENDENTAL TIM:  (m/f, 3 lines)
PEACEFUL PETE: (m/f, 3 lines)


If you love dragon movies and books,
you'll love ArtReach's version of The Reluctant Dragon!
The Reluctant Dragon play for schools Fun crutain call to Dragon Play Lively action in The Reluctant Dragon.
Belmont Day School, Belmont MA - Monkton Central School VT

The School Play Package gives you the freedom to adapt the script to your needs.  Add songs, lines, characters if you like.  You also have the right to make a video/DVD of your special show!


THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
WHY IS THIS PLAY BEST FOR YOUR SCHOOL?

Written especially for young people to perform.
While you may find large cast plays from other publishers, most of those were originally written for adults or professional actors to perform. They often contain difficult dialogue, unfamiliar or complex language, and speeches too long for young children to memorize. They may even contain jokes, innuendos and subject matter that may not be appropriate for children.

Easy to understand and memorize.
Dialogue is simple, fresh, quick and humorous, keeping the action flowing without stops and starts between scenes. This keeps young people and young audiences engaged throughout the performance - no awkward pauses, no dead-time, no wiggles!

Everyone participates!
All children are involved throughout the performance. This builds confidence, promotes team spirit and eliminates rehearsal rowdiness. The audience is often asked to join in the fun, and action often spills into the aisles! All of our SCHOOL PLAYS give suggestions on how to divide up large parts (such as Peter Pan) among several performers so that no one child is the "star".

Familiar stories with upbeat endings.
The story line stays as close as possible to the familiar story the kids already know.  While some authors feel the need to "improve" the story, our SCHOOL PLAYS stay as close to the familiar narrative as possible, making it easier for children - and your audience - to understand.

Feel free to edit!  Go ahead and tape it!
Most publishers insist that no changes may be made to their scripts.  We know that your goal is to engage every child in the most meaningful way and that your needs are unique.  Cut, eliminate, re-assign lines, or add as much as you like!  Also, there are no restrictions on video tapes.  Parents want a tape or DVD to remember their child's big moment.   Go ahead and tape away!


THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT

Writers often describe a magical phenomenon when a piece seems to write itself.  It doesn't happen often and it doesn't mean there's not a lot of drudge work still to do once the idea has been born.  But I will say that Treasure Island came forth on its own with very little tug and pull from me.  Writing this play was simply fun. 

It's hard to remember to have fun when there are pressures from all sides to produce a great show.  I confess, when I ran a professional theatre company I certainly worried about meeting payroll more than enjoying the process of creation.  I had a thing I called the "Wednesday Blues", which usually hit midway through rehearsals of a new play, when I tossed and turned all night imagining an enormous flop.  I can only say that I stuck it out long enough to learn that things will almost always turn out better than you thought they would.  Theatre is teamwork and if you put your faith in the natural exuberance of your performers you will be rewarded with a wonderful show.  

So don't let any naysayers get you down.  Persevere, remember to laugh, have faith and simply enjoy the process.  It's all just make-believe.   You can't do it wrong.  Your kids can't wait to discover all the talents and gifts that lie within themselves.  Your job is simply to coax them out and then sit back and enjoy!

Thank you for choosing The Reluctant Dragon.  Have a wonderful show!

- KSM

The Reluctant Dragon, play for schools
Eisenhower Middle School, Everett WA



THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
CD SOUNDTRACK CUES
Cues, sound effects, background music (traditional-classical)

The CD Soundtrack contains special sound effects and background music (public domain traditional-classical) that may be used to greatly enhance the performance. It does not contain music and songs from the movie or stageplay, nor does it contain music for the performers to sing along with. Cues have 10 seconds of silence at the end - times shown below include silence.
[ Click on [sample] to hear a short sample of the indicated cues ]

 1. PLEASANT VALLEY MUSIC  (1:01) [sample]

 2. MORTIMER MUSIC  (1:30)

 3. GRODY GOBSTERS MUSIC  (0:45)

 4. NIGHTIME SOUNDS  (0:52) [sample]

 5. KING'S FANFARE  (0:33)

 6. PLEASANT VALLEY MUSIC  (0:41)

 7. GURU MUSIC, WIND, GONGS  (2:34) [sample]

 8. KING'S FANFARE & CROWD  (0:41) [sample]

 9. ST. GEORGE FANFARE, MUSIC  (0:35)

 10. ST. GEORGE FANFARE  (0:17)

 11. MORTIMER MUSIC  (0:38) [sample]

 12. GURU MUSIC, WIND, GONG  (1:42)

 13. "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE&ldots;"  (0:29)

 14. KING'S FANFARE  (0:24) [sample]

 15. ST. GEORGE MUSIC & CROWD  (0:34) [sample]

 16. MORTIMER MUSIC & CROWD  (0:44)

 17. FIRE, BATTLE, ST. GEORGE "DIES"  (0:44) [sample]

 18. FIRE, BATTLE, MORTIMER "DIES"  (1:14)

 19. PLEASANET VALLEY MUSIC  (1:00)

 20. CURTAIN CALL MUSIC  (2:26) [sample]


Note: Some teachers choose familiar songs, obtain sheet music and insert their own music choices into the play.  We recognize that each school has a wide variety of educational needs to fulfill and we invite you to be creative in your use of our scripts; including changes or additions that are appropriate for your students. As author/publisher of our own creative works, we do ask that you obtain proper copyright permission for any additions you might make - that responsibility is up to you.

Music & Sound Resources Available on the Internet
( Sheet Music, Song Books, CDs, DVDs, Sing-along, Karaoke, Sound Effects )


Train Your Dragon in Three Easy Steps!
Fun swordplay in ArtReach The Reluctant Dragon The Guru tells Widget how to train his dragon. Drama for Kids to Perform
Belmont Day School, Belmont MA - Monkton Central School, VT - Drama Workshop, Brisbane AU



THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
SCRIPT SAMPLE

Saint George has been summoned to fight Mortimer the dragon.  Widget and Hairytoes fear for his life, so they travel to the mountain of the Master Guru to ask him to teach them how to train Mortimer to fight.
(Script pages 33-37, sound cue #7 is playing.)

[sound cue 7 sample]

    GURU GUYS:  ENTER!

(GURU GUYS move aside and hold their arms out to gesture the way toward the MASTER GURU.  MASTER GURU sits on a rock, legs crossed yoga style.  His head is bowed.)

MASTER GURU:  I have been waiting for you.

HAIRYTOES:  You have?

MASTER GURU:  I have observed the long history of dragons in your country. Once there were many.  Now there are none. 

WIDGET:  Why?  Why do all dragons have to be destroyed?

MASTER GURU:  Not all.  Some may live. 

HAIRYTOES:   What do we have to do?

MASTER GURU:  You must train your dragon, following my three easy steps.  I have written a handbook.

(MASTER GURU hands the book to WIDGET.)

Many have travelled far to receive this gift.  Only you have held it in your hands.  Next year, of course, it will be available on Amazon. 

(WIDGET opens the book.)

MASTER GURU and GURU GUYS:  (Dramatically, holding up one finger.)  Step one. 

WIDGET:  (Reading, trailing his finger along the words in the book.)  Hold your dragon.

MASTER GURU and GURU GUYS:  (Holding up two fingers.)  Step two.

WIDGET:  (Turns page, reading.)  Protect your dragon.

MASTER GURU and GURU GUYS:  (Holding up three fingers.)  Step three.

WIDGET:  (Turns page, looks up.)  There's nothing there.

MASTER GURU:  If you succeed with steps one and two, you will finally learn the secret of...

(MASTER GURU and GURU GUYS each raise three fingers and speak together.)

MASTER GURU and GURU GUYS:  Step three!

MASTER GURU:  Be brave, Widget.  For this is your adventure!

(OPTIONAL SOUND:  Gong! This can be played on a real gong while GURU sitar music plays.

GURU GUYS turn their backs and stand shoulder to shoulder, hiding MASTER GURU.  They exit.

SOUND CUE ENDS.

MAGNIFICENT MAGGIE enters.

OPTIONAL TRANSITION:  HAIRYTOES #2 exits, HAIRYTOES #3 enters and continues to end of play.)

MAGNIFICENT MAGGIE:  And so the boys rushed back to the cave to begin Mortimer's training!

(OPTIONAL TRANSITION:  MORTIMER #3 enters.

MORTIMER enters, crossing in front of WIDGET and HAIRYTOES, in a huff.)

MORTIMER:  No, no, no, no!  I won't have it!  Teach me the warrior ways of the ancient Greeks!  Teach me the violence of Renaissance literature!  But you will never teach me to fight like a dog, never!

WIDGET:  But there's no other way, Mortimer. 

HAIRYTOES:  It's for your own good!

MORTIMER:  Savage medicine.

WIDGET:  Now it says here.  (Reading.)  Hold your dragon.  This can be easily done if you can calm him down and knock some sense into him.

MORTIMER:  Crudely worded.

WIDGET:  (Reading.)  Stroke his tail.

(HAIRYTOES strokes his tail etc. as it is read.)

MORTIMER:  (Giggling.)  That tickles.

WIDGET:  (Reading.) Pat his head.

MORTIMER:  Watch the petunia.

WIDGET:  (Reading.) And whisper sweet nothings in his ear.

(HAIRYTOES whispers in his ear.  MORTIMER goes all squishy with joy, rolls around and stretches like a kitten.)

HAIRYTOES:  Widget!  I think he's purring!

WIDGET:  It says here.  (Reading.)  Purring is a good sign. 

(HAIRYTOES rubs MORTIMER's tummy.  MORTIMER gurgles with delight.)

Now, you must catch him when he is off his guard.  

(WIDGET gestures to HAIRYTOES to go around to MORTIMER's tail and hold on.) 

And deliver a swift and exacting insult.  

(WIDGET goes to MORTIMER'S ear, lifts it and yells into it.) 

Your mother wears army boots!

(MORTIMER jumps up with a flash of anger!)

MORTIMER:  I beg your pardon, sir!

WIDGET:  I bet you can't breathe fire, you wussy cupcake dragon!

MORTIMER:  Why you little...

HAIRYTOES:  Fire, Mortimer!  You can do it!

(MORTIMER hisses at HAIRYTOES!)

WIDGET:  More!

(MORTIMER hisses harder at WIDGET.  They react to heat of fire.)

Now hurl an insult, Mortimer!  

MORTIMER:  (Angry.)  This is highly irregular!

WIDGET:  It's got to be meaner! 

MORTIMER:  (Angrier.)  I find you most unpleasant!

WIDGET:  Meaner!  And you've got to use poetry!

MORTIMER:  (Furious.)  Roses are red, violets are cute, If you don't take it back I'll kick your patoot!

WIDGET:  Hold on Hairytoes! 

(MORTIMER flails his arms around not being able to reach WIDGET because HAIRYTOES has him by the tail.  HAIRYTOES jumps high back and forth as if the tail is hurling him back and forth.) 

Hold him!

(ALL are shouting and groaning with the effort.  WIDGET jumps this way and that as MORTIMER flails.  Finally MORTIMER is exhausted and falls.  HAIRYTOES and WIDGET fall to ground, breathless.)

HAIRYTOES:  We did it!

WIDGET:  (Reading.)  Congratulations.  You have successfully completed step one.  You have Held Your Dragon!

(OLD FOLKS enter.

OPTIONAL TRANSITION:  WIDGET #5 exits, WIDGET #6 enters.)

VENERABLE VAN:  Just then, from the distant hills, the boys could hear the kingdom erupt in excitement!

(SOUND CUE #8: Fanfare!  The sounds of a crowd shouting. [sample]

WIDGET and HAIRYTOES look out over the audience.)

HAIRYTOES:  Look!

(VILLAGERS enter full of excitement.  TOWN CRIER enters ringing his bell.)

TOWN CRIER:  Hear ye!  Hear ye!  All hail King Fancy Pants!

(KING FANCY PANTS enters from behind the audience, standing behind them or in aisle.   VILLAGERS cheer and encourage the audience to join them.)

VILLAGERS:  All hail King Fancy Pants! 

(KING FANCY PANTS raises his hand in acknowledgement. 

SOUND CUE ENDS.)

KING FANCY PANTS:  Behold my loyal subjects.  The moment of glory is at hand!  The Great Saint George has arrived!

(SAINT GEORGE enters.  VILLAGERS erupt in joy and cheer!

SOUND CUE #9:  Fanfare 2!  SAINT GEORGE music.  Cavalry charge horns - a war call!  SOUND CUE ENDS.[sample]

SAINT GEORGE:  I rise like a Zeus to your call!
Only I can make the beast fall!
I'll stick my spear thru him
Then I'll barbeque him
I'm simply the greatest of all!


Note: This is a sample from the actual script.  To review the entire play, order the PERUSAL SCRIPT (online instant download). Or to save 20% on the full production kit and royalty for one performance, order the SCHOOL PLAY PACKAGE (below) and start rehearsals today!

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