Jack Frost’s Surprise
A Hallowe’en Play in One Act
CHARACTERS
- Jack Frost
- Witch
- Jack-be-Nimble
- Jack-in-the-Pulpit
- Jack-in-the-Box
- Jack Sprat
- Jack-o’-Lantern
- Jack Tar
- Jack Horner
- Six Sailor Boys
COSTUMES
Jack Frost should wear a white costume with a belt
cut in points, from which little bells are hung, also a
pointed cap with a bell sewed on the end of it.
The Jacks may wear appropriate costumes or have
their names printed on their belts or caps. Jack-in-the-Box
should wear a large pasteboard box upon his
person and, of course, must pop up from the box
occasionally.
Witch should wear black dress and cape and high
hat. May carry a broomstick.
Sailors may wear regular sailor suits, or white suits
and sailor hats.
[Enter Jack Frost from left, Witch from right.]
Jack Frost:
I am Jack Frost, Jolly Jack Frost,
Through the woods today my way I lost;
This self-same thing I oft discover,
In October the summer’s over.
Though elves come tripping o’er the green,
I’m the only Jack upon the scene.
Witch:
Ha, ha, ha, on Hallowe’en,
Ghosts and elves are often seen;
And many a Jack trips o’er the green,
Ha, ha, ha, on Hallowe’en!
Jack Frost:
Though the wrong road we have taken,
In that surely you’re mistaken;
Even summers charm is lost,
But I’m the only Jack—Jack Frost.
[Witch taps with her cane, enter Jack-be-Nimble
with candlestick.]
Jack-be-Nimble:
I’m Jack-be-Nimble, I have to be quick
When I jump over my candlestick;
I’m most as nimble as a rabbit,
For jumping soon becomes a habit.
[Jack Frost shakes hands with Jack-be-Nimble, and
the Witch taps with her cane each time, as a new Jack
enters.]
Jack-in-the-Pulpit:
I am Jack-in-the-Pulpit, very shy,
Scarce glancing at the passerby;
If truths on Hallowe’en you’d teach,
You’d find me very glad to preach.
Jack-in-the-Box:
I’m Jack-in-the-Box, I know no reason,
For feeling sad in any season;
I like to pop up on Hallowe’en,
When many a curious sight is seen.
Jack Sprat:
I’m Jack Sprat, and tired at that,
There’s only one story you hear;
I’m Jack Sprat, eating lean, not fat,
At any time of the year.
Witch:
Ha, ha, ha, you’re a jolly fellow,
Come on, now, be a story-teller.
[Jack Sprat takes his stuffed cat out from under
arm.]
Jack Sprat:
My Hallowe’en cat, behold her here,
I like her well though she has but one ear;
To get a bargain she never will try,
She went after butter when butter was high!
[Jack-o’-Lantern, boy with lighted lantern, enters
by door or window.]
Jack-o’-Lantern:
I peep in the window, or look in the door,
Jolly Jack-o’-Lantern, you’ve seen me before;
I stand on the lamp post, or grin on the gate,
On Hallowe’en night you dare not be late.
See my big mouth and shining eyes,
I’m bound to give you a surprise.
Jack Tar:
They say, “Who is this fellow? see how he dances,
Lightly retreats, and lightly advances”;
Who else is coming? around him he glances,
Jolly Jack Tar, the hornpipe he dances!
[Enter many sailor boys, dance or jig, line up and
sing.]
Tune: “Marching Through Georgia.”
MERRY SAILOR LADS
1.
Merry sailor lads are we,
Upon the sea we go;
Singing quite new-fangled tunes,
And songs of long ago.
As we journey on our way
We sing, “Ye-ho, ye-ho”
While we are sailing the ocean.
Chorus.
Away, away, our ship’s a tidy craft,
Away, away, we never stoop to graft;
See our tidy vessel now, we man her fore and aft
While we are sailing the ocean.
2.
Happy-hearted sailor lads,
We really know no fear;
Our home is out upon the sea,
We’ve sailed for years and years.
When we see the bonnie flag,
We always give three cheers
While we are sailing the ocean.
[While sailors are singing, Witch goes off stage and
comes back with Jack Horner, who sits down at corner
of stage.]
Sailors [point to Jack Horner in a corner eating pie]:
Ha, ha, if we linger longer.
We discover old Jack Horner;
Ha, ha; ho, ho; the sailors cry,
We’ll help you eat your Christmas pie.
Jack Horner:
You’re very welcome to my pie,
I’ve sat for years and years;
According now to history,
Hallowe’en appears.
Sailors:
Take his pie and rid the corner,
Of this greedy little Jack Horner.
[The Witch and Jack Frost are in front, the other
Jacks behind them; the rest of the school may line
up for the chorus, waving banners, on which is written
the word “Hallowe’en.” They all sing.]
Tune: “Yankee Doodle.”
THE SPOOK SONG
1.
Surprises come on Hallowe’en,
You know ’tis very true, sir;
We’ll trip it lightly o’er the green,
That’s what the Spooks all do, sir!
Chorus.
Sing! hurrah for Hallowe’en,
Hear our gentle humming;
Sing! hurrah for Hallowe’en,
Soon the Spooks are coming.
2.
The sights and sounds of Hallowe’en,
Are nothing very new, sir;
We’ll never tell you what we’ve seen,
Our song is very true, sir!
[This may end the program, or the stage may be
quickly darkened and the Hallowe’en Ghosts may be
given.]
