Perilous Sketches
4 quirky, fun sketches (mostly perilous)
by Barbara Hockley
SPEED (free to download)
Gorgeous Gerald & The Ghost
Lost Happiness
Fairy Wings
A note on peril
I've always loved 'cautionary tales' and was very inspired by watching 'Shockheaded Peter', the 'junk opera' created by Improbable Theatre & The Tiger Lillies. I can't begin to describe the ingenuity, creativity and peril involved! My own tales are not that terrifying (honest).
SPEED - a FREE DOWNLOAD
About:
Speed is a cautionary tale - my favourite sort... The peril of too much haste - and the equal peril of not enough!
A short sketch in rhyme for 4 speaking characters and a couple of non-speaking characters.
- Use it as a reading exercise - working with rhyme and rhythm.
- Explore the physical action sequences
- Put it all together and perform!
Cast:
Lottie: a speedy girl (or any gender - just change the name and pronouns)
3 Friends: any gender
2 stretcher bearers (any gender, no lines)
Speed is a fun and challenging activity - you may also perform Speed for free if you wish. Workshop/classroom notes and ideas are included.
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE HERE!
Sample script for SPEED
The friends enter very slowly and make their way to centre stage
Friend 1:
We will tell you a tale
Of impatience and speed
Of hurdles and signs
That you really should heed
Friend 2:
It is a sad tale
But please take heart
It may keep you safe
And that sets it apart
Friend 3:
From stories of evil
Or horror without goal
And the whole thing starts
With us out for a stroll
Lottie runs up and stops in front of the friends
Lottie:
I don't care to stroll
I like to run fast
I don't look around
I go with a blast!
Lottie runs offstage
Gorgeous Gerald and The Ghost
ABOUT:
Gorgeous Gerald and the Ghost was originally a part of a one act play called 'Perilous Tales' – a series of four cautionary tales linked together. All four tales can be performed as stand-alone sketches. It's a bit dark, slightly twisted and somewhat amusing.
This tale is about the perils of vanity; of believing you are somehow 'special'; of losing your grip on reality and falling prey to those who would manipulate you for their own benefit. It also cautions against callous manipulation and greed.
The sketch calls for some athletic and strange physical moments from the actor playing GERALD. This happens when the GHOST takes over GERALD'S body... It will become clear (honest).
CHARACTERS:
2 Storytellers.
GERALD: Gorgeous, vain and rather stupid.
2 Vain & fickle friends
A GHOST: Stalks GERALD
IMELDA: The GHOST'S widow.
VAMP: A Vampire, IMELDA's new love interest.
SET:
Very little is required in terms of staging. If you have the time and means, you could create a decadent looking area and a lovely sofa for Gorgeous Gerald to start off in. Set it in whatever period of history you like – or make it contemporary. It doesn't matter.
At the end of the sketch, GERALD jumps off the highest branch of a tree on a hill. You may want something to indicate height – but bear in mind your actor will actually have to jump off it.
The running time is approximately 10 minutes.
COSTUMES AND PROPS:
Costume choices are mostly up to individual directors – depending on what period you choose to set it in.
GERALD and FRIENDS are elaborately, well dressed.
THE GHOST is quite the opposite and looking all the worse for being dead. Please note, the ghost is not dressed in a white sheet!
IMELDA looks rather seductive, possibly a bit gothic, being under the spell of a vampire.
THE VAMPIRE looks exactly how a vampire should look (cloak required).
You will need a large rusty nail! In the original production a 'pull-on metal nail' was created. More details in the script.
Sample of the script for Gorgeous Gerald & The Ghost
Note: Where you see italics it is written in rhyme. The characters come out of storytelling mode and speak to the audience when not in italics.
ST1:
The tale of Gorgeous Gerald and the Ghost.
Now, It may seem odd
Or decidedly strange
That someone like Gerald
Could make an exchange
With a Ghost so ghastly
So ugly and bad
But that's what happened
To the unfortunate lad
ST2:
Our story begins
One fine sunny day
As Gorgeous Gerald
On his bed lay
He said
GERALD:
Am I not
The most gorgeous fellow
My lips are so red
My hair so yellow
My complexion is perfect
My body divine
There is no body
So gorgeously fine
ST2:
But, there was something that Gorgeous Gerald didn't know.
ST1:
For Gerald had an admirer.
ST2:
A secret, secret admirer.
ST1:
An admirer from afar you might say.
ST2:
But also very close,
As you will see.
ST1:
Gerald's new fan
Was a Ghost you see
An unfortunate soul
Who just could not be
ST2:
At peace with himsel
In the afterlife
He craved the sun
And his beautiful wife
GHOST:
If only
ST2:
He thought
GHOST:
I could get into that skin
I could live once more
And try to win
Back my darling Imelda
Who is under the spell
Of a man who has clearly
Walked straight out of hell
ST1:
And the Ghost was right
For Imelda's new bloke
Was a creature of death
In a swishy black cloak
IMELDA:
Imelda did fear
That her suitor might try
To force his attentions
And make her comply
VAMP:
With his strange ideas
That sounded so clever
About drinking blood
And living forever
GHOST:
And the Ghost of her man
Was watching in vain
He knew he was helpless
In his Ghostly domain
He longed to be free
Of the twilight zone
The endless wandering
Without flesh and bone
COST: £5 for the script. £10 for unlimited performances.
The script is available on my online Payhip store. You can download instantly.
Lost Happiness
About:
This sketch was written as part of a series of 4 cautionary sketches called 'Perilous Tales' (it was then called 'Cedric & Sibyl's Tale).
Originally they were all designed to be played by an ensemble cast and dialogue linked each sketch. The entire cast remained on set throughout and took turns to act as narrators. As this tale requires some interaction from other characters (some non-speaking), you might like to experiment with having your cast onstage throughout. A few notes on props/staging are included with the script.
‘Gorgeous Gerald and The Ghost’ is also part of the Perilous Tales collection and is available on the website - should you want to link a couple together.
In this tale Cedric and Sibyl discover that they have created a life that is good and they are happy with it. They are determined to keep it that way and their efforts to do so create just a tiny bit of paranoia… at least to start with.
Sample of the script for Lost Happiness
Narr: This is a rather sad tale about the perils of too much happiness.
Cedric and Sibyl were a very lucky couple who were so devoted and glued together that they hardly knew that the world existed beyond their noses.
A murmuring of approval from the company
Ah, you like that?
How cosy, you're thinking
How very romantic.
Fools!
Watch.
See what befalls those who cannot bend with the winds of change
Sibyl and Cedric take CS.
Our tale begins as Cedric and Sibyl make an extraordinary discovery.
Sibyl: Life is good Cedric. Everything is as it should be. Everything is just fine.
Cedric: We must strive to maintain this excellent state of affairs, Sibyl my angel.
Sibyl: Indeed we must, Cedric my sweet.
Narr: And months passed. Our happy couple were occupied with attempting to remain exactly the same for fear that a change to their circumstances might dissolve their happiness.
Cedric: Is everything still the same Sibyl. Has anything changed?
Sibyl: Changed? Of course not. Who would do such a thing?
Cedric: We must strive not to change anything.
Sibyl: Were we striving before?
Cedric: Before what?
Sibyl: Before we decided not to change anything
Cedric: (A flash of panic crosses Cedric's face as he thinks) I… I have always striven to maintain our happiness my love.
Sibyl: Yes, I'm fairly sure I was striving as well.
Cedric: Then all is well and we should continue to strive.
Sibyl: Well, now we've started it would be foolish to stop.
Man: (Walks up casually) I say, do you happen to have the time?
Cedric: Time? You're after the time are you? Is that all?
Sibyl: What sort of time are you after? Do you want our time or have you misplaced your own?
Man: I just thought you might have the time.
Cedric: We have our own time, but not enough to share.
Sibyl: Find your own, ours is a very special time and we're not giving it away.
Man: Well, I'm sorry to have wasted it, good day (walks off).
(As they watch the man depart a girl approaches from the other side)
Girl: Excuse me. I wonder if you would care to give something to the local Orphanage to help the children towards a better happier life.
Sibyl: (Surprised) Oh! Well that was a bit sneaky. Creeping up and surprising innocent people like that.
Cedric: And what is it that you think we can give.
Girl: Well, I just thought you might like to share some of your good fortune with others.
Sibyl: Certainly not!
Cedric: Here, take some money instead and be on your way!
They thrust money at her & she wanders away confused.
A woman wanders by.
Woman: Could you tell me…
C&S: NO!
People are generally wandering around in close proximity to Cedric & Sibyl.
Gradually people get closer & C&S are more intimidated.
COST: £5 for the script. £10 for unlimited performances.
The script is available on my online Payhip store. You can download instantly.
Fairy Wings
About:
Lucy & Gemma are 2 sisters - no other characters . Lucy is about 18 and Gemma15 (ish).
Gemma is going to a party & would like to borrow Lucy's fairy wings...
Are fairies real? And should you mess with one, if they are? These are the important questions tackled in the sketch...
The set is minimal and the sketch is very simple to stage.
A sofa or two seats of some description facing the audience.
Lucy is sitting watching television (television not on set but would be where the audience are sitting) She has a remote and possibly other necessary items for watching television (drinks/snacks). You may need to update to the latest technology! Also, concealed behind her seat is an impressive (and real...) fairy wand.
Sample of the script for Fairy Wings
Gemma: Hi Luce, what's on?
Lucy: Nothing.
Gemma: Must be something, you're watching it.
Lucy: No I'm not.
Gemma: You are Luce. You're sitting in front of the television, with it switched on, holding the remote watching a programme - whatever it is.
Lucy: Staring.
Gemma: What?
Lucy: I'm staring. It's not the same as watching.
Gemma: The difference being?
Lucy turns and stares hard at Gemma
I see what you mean (pause)
I was wondering if I could borrow your...
Lucy: No.
Gemma: I haven't said what it is yet!
Lucy: Don't need to. The answer is no.
Gemma: Can I borrow your fairy wings?
Lucy: No!
Gemma: Please.
Lucy: No.
Gemma: I'll look after them.
Lucy: No.
Gemma: You don't give me a chance.
Lucy: No.
Gemma: But I'm going to this party and we're all supposed to dress up as something and I thought I would go as a fairy and for that I need wings.
Lucy: No.
Gemma: I knew you'd say that.
Lucy: The last time you borrowed my best tiara it came back tarnished.
Gemma: Tarnished? It's plastic!
Lucy: It was tarnished.
Gemma: Well, wings won't 'tarnish'
Lucy: No, they'll break, or snap, or rip, or bits will fall off.
Gemma: ( Tries a different approach) Oh well, I suppose I'll have to stay in then. What else is on tonight?
Lucy: You can't stay in, Tom's coming round later on - you cannot stay in, you must go out.
Gemma: I would love to oblige, I really would, but for that I need wings.
Lucy: You're not having my wings and you can't stay in!
Gemma: We could play scrabble - the three of us - or maybe monopoly - or possibly even strip poker. Shall I get some beers ready?
Lucy: You are gross!
Gemma: Well, I don't know what to go as and you're just being mean.
Lucy: Ok. For a start, fairies are special characters. Not everyone can carry it off, and you - well, you're not the fairy type.
Gemma: And you are I suppose?
Lucy: Of course.
Gemma: Well I think you're too old to be a fairy.
Lucy: That stupid. It's like saying that all fairies die when they get to 18!
Gemma: No, that's not the point! You're too old to be playing at being a fairy!
Lucy: (Outraged) I am NOT playing!
Gemma: (Thinks) So, why do you have strap on wings?
Lucy: You really don't get it do you. I have the spirit of a fairy, but in a human body. You can't just strap on wings and become a fairy, you need... something inside.
Gemma: Like what?
Lucy: You need to find out who you are inside - the real you - not the human façade - the mystical person who lies beneath.
COST: £5 for the script. £10 for unlimited performances.
The script is available on my online Payhip store. You can download instantly.