Once: as after subtracting the first time there are four beans!

Transcription

1 1 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Conundrums How many times can you subtract one bean from five beans? Once: as after subtracting the first time there are four beans! Jack s Mum was one of eight daughters. Each daughter had a brother. How many children were in the family? Nine: the one brother was common to all eight sisters Just Kidding A market holder was selling beans in the market: Come and buy, only 2 a kilo he shouted Passer-by: Did you raise them yourself? Yes. They were only 1.50 yesterday! The Giant s Amazing Maths Choose any number Double it Multiply by 5 Drop the naught from the end This is the number first chosen Percussion Fun (by Alison Hedger) Find suitable school percussion instruments to represent the following: Beanstalk (occurs 6 times) Jack (occurs 5 times) Greedy Giant (occurs 4 times) Magic Hen (occurs twice) Gold (occurs twice) Also have some magical-sounding bells to make an atmospheric start and finish to the story. After one rendition, replace the words with musical instruments...once upon a time a BEANSTALK grew to enormous proportions. JACK climbed the BEANSTALK and found a GREEDY GIANT living in the clouds. JACK stole the GOLD and the MAGIC HEN belonging to the GREEDY GIANT, and took them back home with him by climbing back down the BEANSTALK. JACK chopped down the BEANSTALK before the GREEDY GIANT could catch him. So JACK had the GOLD and the MAGIC HEN, and was rich. The GREEDY GIANT was got rid of, and the BEANSTALK became famous everyone knows about JACK and the BEANSTALK!...

2 2 JACK and the BEANSTALK By Douglas Wootton Edited by Alison Hedger The traditional tale A mixture of narrative, spoken word, chant and song A Kaleidoscope of fun from beginning to end All year round PRIMARY Approximately 15 minutes Included are some corny jokes, a math s puzzle and percussion fun by Alison Hedger The Music Notation and Recordings of the music are available for downloading from Tap in the title, JACK and the BEANSTALK, into the search bar A mixture of narrative, spoken word, acting, chant and song For class use end-of-term entertainments suitable for concert performance

3 3 Background Information The story as we know it today probably has its origins in an ancient Norse Tale. Written versions go back to the early 18 th Century but it can be assumed that prior to this, the tale of Jack encountering a fearsome giant, was handed down for generations by word of mouth. Giants were thought to be real, and unpalatable versions of the story may have included cruelty, violence, gory killings and erotic episodes. However when the tale of Jack along with other fairy stories, was rewritten in the mid 19 th Century it became suitable for children and family enjoyment. It was probably at this stage that the fanciful magic beanstalk was added. Early versions of the story were known as Jack the Giant Killer. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK has three repeated songs which carry the story along. The songs are interspersed with narrative, and the piece rolls along in one kaleidoscope of fun from beginning to end. In addition there is a foot-stamping Fee Fie Fo Fum chant which is enjoyed by everyone, a harp alert and an exciting chant for the giant s chase and demise. The story characters can deliver some spoken lines and also take some solo singing if appropriate. Alternatively, the choir can not only sing all the song lyrics but also say the character solo lines. Both approaches leave the characters free to concentrate on mime, which may suit young performers. The choice of how to present this work is up to you and your interpretation of what will work best in your particular circumstances. Performance Versatility: Words that come in the narrative and song lyrics within speech apostrophes, can be allocated to the story characters to say and sing These words can be spoken and sung by individuals from within the Choir All the narrative can be delivered by the Narrators with suitable emphasis on the character s speech All the song lyrics can be sung by everyone again with character interpretation. These alternatives will leave the story characters free to concentrate on mime (useful if you are involving young children)

4 4 CAST Narrator(s) Jack lazy Jack s Mother harassed The Cow bewildered Old Man Bean Seller cunning Giant s Mum big as a bus Giant greedy Hen (optional) Harp comes to life Choir Optional parts for extra children: sound effects operatives and non-speaking villagers PROPS some props can be mimed if preferred Beans Beanstalk Rustic table Very large saucepan big enough for Jack to hide in (constructed out of a modified packing box perhaps) Cardboard hen (optional see cast list) Stacks of gold eggs Large toy axe N.B. All actions follow the story line no stage directions are given, as you may be giving a concert performance. Words that come in the narrative and song lyrics within speech apostrophes, can be allocated to the story characters to say and sing These words can be spoken and sung by individuals from within the Choir All the narrative can be delivered by the Narrators with suitable emphasis on the character s speech All the song lyrics can be sung by everyone again with character interpretation. These alternatives will leave the story characters free to concentrate on mime (useful if you are involving young children)

5 5 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK by Douglas Wootton Approximate duration: 35 minutes A BLUESY LITTLE PANTO!! With additional incidental music by Alison Hedger All the MUSIC is available as downloads from Tap the title Jack and the Beanstalk into the search bar INCIDENTAL MUSIC AHCM540 SONG 1a AHCM541 JACK Welcome to Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a story that s very old And many times it has been told How lazy Jack found wealth and gold. But even so, we re very sure You d like to hear it just once more! JACK HE WAS A LAZY BOY Jack he was a lazy boy He liked to loaf about, And so there s nothing left to eat. Just hear his mother shout, Take the cow to market Jack, And see what it will fetch. We ll have to sell the cow Because you re such an idle wretch. But it s such a long walk to market, And it s so boring. Why can t you go Mum? Gasps of horror from All SONG 2a AHCM542 GET OUT OF THE HOUSE Get out of the house, you stupid boy. You never gave your poor old mother any joy. We re going to starve, because of you. We ve got to sell the cow now, what else can we do?

6 6 Gasps of unbelief from All Well, not a penny have you earned Or at school your lessons learned. So get to market now young man And get the best price that you can So Jack he goes off with the cow on a rope. But do you think that he will sell it? Not a hope! Because he will meet this strange old man, Who says to Jack My lively lad, now here s my plan. I ll give you five beans for that cow, They re magic beans. Young Jack says Wow. I ll have those beans, you take the cow. I ll take them home and plant them now! Screams But mother said, FIVE BEANS! FIVE BEANS FOR OUR COW? AAAAAAARGH!!! SONG 2b AHCM542 Throws beans away YOU IDIOT BOY You idiot boy. You stupid child. You re such a fool, you re such a fool you make me wild. Just give them to me, you dopey lout. And now get out, get out, get out, GET OUT!!! Well, what do you think happens next? You know, don t you? SONG 1b AHCM541 JACK GETS UP NEXT MORNING Jack gets up next morning and He says Mum, come and see A beanstalk higher than the clouds And thicker than a tree. All look up in amazement and ooh and ahhh Jack goes up the beanstalk and His mother says Take care. You never know there might be lots Of nasty things up there!

7 7 Up and up he goes so high, It doesn t bother him. And at the top he sees a Giant s castle huge and grim. Jack is very hungry and He thinks I need a meal. I bet there s loads of food in there To borrow, beg or steal. SONG 2c AHCM542 SO JACK HE DECIDES So Jack he decides to knock on the door; It s opened by the biggest giant you ever saw. She s big as a bus, the giant s old Mum. She says Hullo my likely lad, so glad you ve come. Jack says I d like something to eat. She says Come in now take a seat. She thinks I ll fatten up this one, He ll make a nice meal for my son! Then from far away Jack hears the Giant s giant tread All stamp to these famous lines FEE, FIE, FOE, FUM I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN. BE HE ALIVE OR BE HE DEAD I LL GRIND HIS BONES TO MAKE MY BREAD. AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!! SONG 2d AHCM542 OH DON T LET HIM IN Oh don t let him in, dear giant says Jack, He ll grind my bones, he ll break my legs, he ll break my back. Dear lady I swear, I promise it s true, I ve never seen a sweeter lovelier giant than you. His words are music to her ear. She says I ll keep you safe my dear. I ll do the very best I can. Now hide inside this big saucepan.

8 8 GIANT GIANT S MUM GIANT MOTHER!! I SMELL A BOY!! And mother said.. No, no! No my lovely gigantic son. It s just the boy sandwich you had last night. It s always hard to get rid of the smell of boys! THEN GET ME MY DINNER COS I M GETTING THINNER. FORTY COW PIES Hmmm THAT SHOULD DO THEN I LL FINISH WITH ELEPHANT STEW. Lots of slurpy noises from. Big sighs, patting of stomachs etc. Even a belch perhaps? GIANT NOW BRING ME MY GOLD! AAAHH! MY LOVELY GOLD, LET ME FEEL YOU! LET ME SMELL YOU! He does SONG 3a AHCM543 JACK PEEPS OVER THE EDGE OF THE POT Jack peeps over the edge of the pot. The giant is counting his gold on the table. Jack thinks to himself I could nobble the lot. I ll wait in the pan till I m able. The giant is sleepy, his mother is too. And soon they are snoring their heads on the table. Jack thinks to himself It s too good to be true, I ll steal all the gold now I m able. Off Jack goes with a run and a jump. Back down the beanstalk as fast as he s able. His mother says Where have you been you great lump? Then Jack dumps the gold on the table. And Mother said OOOOOOOOOOW! LOOK AT THAT!!

9 9 SONG 1c AHCM541 MONEY, MONEY, MONEY Money, money, money, oh It s such a lovely word. It s quite the best that Jack And his old mother s heard. But the story tells us that These simple country folk Spent the lot and soon were Absolutely stony BROKE! So. SONG 1d AHCM541 UP THE MIGHTY BEANSTALK Up the mighty beanstalk goes Young Jack, again, once more. And at the giant s castle soon He s knocking on the door. Ha the giant s mother cries The Boy who stole the gold, And grabs him by the neck and Gets him in a strangle hold! EeeeeeErrrrrrrrK!!! SONG 2e AHCM542 OH IT WASN T ME Oh, it wasn t me he tries to croak. Oh Missus Giant please, let me go before I choke. Oh I wouldn t steal your precious gold. It was another boy who looks like me, I m told. Well, she s a sucker for his charm. She says I ll keep you safe from harm. She gives him giant stew to eat, And then they hear the giant s feet.

10 10 chant and stamp feet GIANT FEE, FIE, FOE, FUM, I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISH MAN. BE HE ALIVE OR BE HE DEAD I LL GRIND HIS BONES TO MAKE MY BREAD. AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!! Jack, Jack, quick as you can Back inside the big saucepan! MOTHER!! I SMELL.A BOY! And mother said. GIANT S MUM No, no! No Son. It s just the boy omelette you had last night. It s always hard to get rid of the smell of boys. GIANT THEN GET ME MY DINNER COS I M GETTING THINNER. MY, OH MY! SHEPHERD S PIE? NOT ENOUGH SHEPHERDS! ROAST ME A CAMEL AND TWENTY LEOPARDS! Lots of slurpy noises from. Big sighs, patting of stomachs etc. Even a belch perhaps? GIANT NOW THEN, BRING ME MY HEN! WE LL HAVE SOME GOLDEN EGGS TODAY NOW, LAY HEN, LAY! CHORUS And in the story, so we re told, His wonderful hen lays eggs of gold!

11 11 SONG 3b AHCM 543 JACK PEEPS OUT OF THE SAUCEPAN Jack peeps out of the saucepan just then. The hen she is laying gold eggs on the table. Jack thinks to himself Oh, I m having that hen. I ll wait in this pan till I m able The giant is sleepy, his mother is too. Soon they are sleeping their heads on the table. Jack thinks to himself It s too good to be true. I ll steal the fat hen now I m able Off Jack goes with a jump and a run, Back down the beanstalk as fast as he s able. His mother says Where have you been my young son? Then Jack puts the hen on the table. And Jack says.. JACK We ll have some golden eggs today Now, lay hen lay! And the hen lays a golden egg! And another, and another, and another! Oooooeeeee!! said mother. Now we ll never have to beg. SONG 1e AHCM540 BUT HAVING LOTS OF MONEY But having lots of money Doesn t stop you being bored, Even though there s nothing in This world you can t afford.

12 12 Jack decides to climb the magic Beanstalk just once more, And sneaks inside the castle through a Crack in the back door. And this time Jack, that crafty little man, Hides in the oven, not in the pan! SONG 3c AHCM543 THE GIANT HAS EATEN The giant has eaten another huge meal. There s nothing amazing upon the big table. Jack thinks to himself Oh, there s nothing to steal. I ll get out of here when I m able The giant shouts Mother, now bring me my harp. He calls to the harp saying Play to me sweetly Such wonderful music, so mellow not sharp. The giant is spellbound completely. Jack is enchanted by music so sweet. It sends the great giant to sleep at the table. Jack snatches the harp with his fingers so neat, And runs off as fast as he s able. But SHOCK and HORROR! The harp begins to sing HELP! HELP! STOP THIEF! HELP! HELP! STOP THIEF!

13 13 Run Jack, run! Don t stop running. Run Jack, run! The giant is coming! SONG 4 AHCM544 Speaking over accompaniment THE GIANT AWAKES The giant awakes with a mighty roar. He sees Jack running out of the door. Suddenly giant land isn t such fun. Faster and faster young Jack must run Down the beanstalk, quick as lightning. Here comes the giant so huge and frightening. Mother cries Jack, Quick bring me an axe He chops and slashes and cuts and hacks. The beanstalk bends and breaks and CRASH! Down falls the giant, his head goes SMASH! It s not very healthy to fall on your head! And so the beanstalk giant was DEAD!!!! shouting HOORAY! SONG 1f AHCM541 Alternative line: SO NOW JACK AND HIS MOTHER So now Jack and his mother Are as happy as can be. They ve got the hen, they ve got the Harp it s easy-street for free! (Harp and satellite TV!)

14 14 So dear friends remember though A giant is huge and tall, The bigger that they come, will mean The harder they will fall! Well, that ends our story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Thank you for listening.. And now you may talk! Bye-bye! INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO FINISH AHCM540 THE END