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Shorter Bible Plays

Chapter 4: EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
By Rita Benton
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About This Book

A collection of short, stage-ready dramatizations of Bible narratives adapted for children's religious education. The volume offers simple scripts—ranging from short tableaux to longer plays—presenting episodes such as Noah's flood, Abraham's test, the infant Moses, the Exodus, Samuel's call, David and Goliath, Solomon's judgment, the Good Samaritan, and a manger service, accompanied by production guidance on costumes, scenery, props, and illustrations. An editorial introduction encourages child participation and provides practical staging notes to aid church schools and pageants.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Shorter Bible Plays

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Shorter Bible Plays

Author: Rita Benton

Release date: July 26, 2014 [eBook #46419]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Charlene Taylor, Martin Mayer, Fox in the
Stars, TIA American Library and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHORTER BIBLE PLAYS ***

THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH

Click for larger image.

The Abingdon Religious Education Texts

David G. Downey, General Editor

GEORGE HERBERT BETTS, Associate Editor

Shorter Bible Plays

BY

RITA BENTON

THE ABINGDON PRESS

NEW YORK             CINCINNATI

Copyright, 1922, by

RITA BENTON

All Rights Reserved

The right to produce these plays for religious and educational purposes (without personal profit), is freely granted.

All professional acting rights and moving picture rights are fully protected by copyright, and any individual or company desiring to produce these plays for profit must make application to the author and pay a royalty as agreed upon.

Printed in the United States of America

TO MY MOTHER
and Her "Sunday" Children

Unto her little child, a mother saith:
 "The Lord is everywhere, so have no fear."
 The child is quieted to have her near.
 Like unto God a mother comforteth.
And for her little child a mother prays:
 "That he may love me much, but love God more!"
 But 'tis our mothers that we all adore;
 And for our mothers, give we God the praise.
For childhood clearer sees God's wondrous grace,
 Sees God's love shining in his mother's face.

Copyrighted, 1922, by Rita Benton


CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

To the kindness of Edward D. Waters we are indebted for the use of many of these photographs.

EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION

Increasingly the church is coming again to use religious pageantry and plays for instruction and worship. In the earlier history of religion the dramatic expression of religious aspiration and feeling was almost universal. The dramatic impulse is deeply grounded in human nature, and may be made to appeal to the highest attributes of reverence and devotion.

Children should usually themselves be the actors and not mere spectators. In acting Bible stories they learn how intimately the past is linked to the present, and how the struggles of to-day after truth, courage, love, are like the struggles of the patriarchs and prophets. The stories become more vivid, their charm grows, as we study them in action—our own action. And when we have finished the production of a Bible play a portion of the most beautiful of all literature is ours forever.

In a portion of the plays they act out, the children should, under wise leadership, devise and prepare their own parts and lines. Along with these spontaneously planned representations, however, should come a fair proportion of carefully prepared simple artistic plays adapted to the age and understanding of the child and calculated to teach the lesson desired. Besides teaching their own particular lessons, such plays will serve as a model and standard for the children in preparing their own presentations.

It is the purpose of the present volume to offer a collection of shorter Bible plays of high standard, great beauty, simplicity, and careful adaptation. All of these plays have been used many times over with groups of children in church schools, and their value thoroughly proved. The editors offer the book to the church public believing it will be a helpful factor in the field of religious education.

COSTUMES

The costumes used in these Bible plays have been largely copied from Tissot's illustrations of the Bible.

A straight piece of bleached or unbleached muslin, seamed at the sides up to arm-hole, with a slit for the neck, has been found the simplest foundation costume.

Variations on this are:

A girdle.

Sleeves.

Fringes.

A cloak of contrasting color, of the same pattern as the slip, but open in front.

Several yards of material of contrasting color, thrown over the head or shoulders, or draped.

Strips of cloth, four to six inches wide, sewed the length of the costume. Black strips against white make an effective costume.

For the head use a square of white cloth bound round with a thick, dark cord.

For women the cloth may be lighter. They may wear two girdles instead of one, with the material puffed out between the girdles. Their veils also should be of lighter material; over these a heavy mantle may hang, if desired.

Barefoot sandals or Japanese sandals will do for the feet, if antique sandals cannot be made. In many cases it is preferable that the actors go barefoot.

For bracelets, crowns, scepters, fans, buy sheet copper or brass, tin shears, and cut as desired. These will last forever.

For soldier costumes, make brilliant, short tunics. Belt these in with a twelve-inch strip of brown buckram, which, in turn, is tied on with a bright cord. Use cone-shaped caps.

Egyptian costumes may always be indicated by a belt with a broad flap in the center, reaching from waist to hem. For headdresses, use striped cloth; draw the two front ends under the cloth and pin at the back of the head.

For Babylonian costumes, take several yards of material; sew fringe to the ends and one side; pin one end of the goods at the back of model; wind goods about waist of model so as to form a skirt, and pin to end of goods; carry the rest of the goods around, under right arm, over left shoulder, about neck, over right arm; tuck in and hold in place by a three-inch belt. For head-gear use tall caps rather resembling a sugar loaf. Use heavy white canvas; this may be painted or fringed.

Try to use strong, bright colors, with white and black and brown. Avoid navy blue, turkey red, baby blue or pink. Try to use the same color-values.

SCENERY

A sea-blue curtain is the one essential.



NOAH'S FLOOD

THE PEOPLE

  • Messenger of God.
  • Noah.
  • His Wife.
  • Shem.
  • Ham.
  • Japheth.
  • Wives of Shem, Ham, Japheth.
  • Idolaters.
  • Animals.

    (The number and kind of animals must be left to the costumer. Where the animals mentioned in the play are left out, mention of them must be omitted.)

THE PLACE

  • Scene I. The building place of the Ark.
  • Scene II. Mount Ararat.

The Ark may be built on a framework of wood, covered with cloth to represent a child's toy. Bright colors are preferable, such as gray and scarlet. Or the Ark may be cut out of wall board. A door on hinges must be cut in the side, also a window. A gangplank may lead up to door. If the play is given indoors, a blue back-drop may be used against which colored lights may be thrown, to indicate storm. If given out of doors, a blue, smiling sky is always desirable.

Thin tarlatan may be cut in the shape, and painted to represent the rainbow, and stretched on a curved bit of wire.

THE PROPERTIES

  • A hammer and nails.
  • Fruit.
  • Pitchers and platters of food.
  • A rainbow.
  • An idol.
  • A few stones for altar.
  • Two doves or pigeons.
  • A Flood Curtain.

Trees, such as are seen in a child's Noah's Ark, may be cut out of wood and painted a vivid green. These will aid the picture.

NOAH'S FLOOD

(Taken in large measure from the play by Ranulf Higden of Saint Werburg's, Chester. A. D. 1299-1364.)

Scene I. The building place of the Ark.

(The three Sons of Noah enter and work upon the ark with hammer and nails, or any building tools. Occasionally comes a distant cry of, "Ho, ho! Ark-builders!" They look up impatiently. Presently some impish Children run in.)

First Child (jeeringly): Ark-builders, ark-builders, where is your wit?

Second Child: Ark-builders, ark-builders, when do you flit?

(Shem and Ham drop their tools and chase the children out, following them. Japheth continues his work at the door. Presently the children reappear, entering from the other side.)

Children (laughing merrily and pointing at ark): Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!

(Japheth goes inside and slams the door.)

Third Child: Ark-builder, ark-builder, come out again.

Children: Ark-builder, ark-builder, where is your rain? (They run out.)

(Noah comes out of the door and looks anxiously up at the sky. The Messenger enters; Noah bends prostrate.)

Messenger:

God, who all this world has wrought,
 Heaven and earth and all of naught,
 Sees his people in deed and thought
 Are lost in sin.
 Man that he made he will destroy,
 Saving a few who are his joy,
 And have his servants been.
 Noah, a righteous man thou be,
 A ship hast thou ma-de me,
 Of trees dry and stout.
 Three hundred cubits is it long,
 And fifty broad to make it strong,
 Of height fifty, lest it be wrong,
 Thus measure it about.
 One window's made with skill and wit,
 A cubit of length and breadth is it;
 A door upon the side doth sit,
 For to come in and out.
 Destroy-ed all the world shall be,
 Save thou, thy wife and children three;
 And their three wives also with thee,
 Shall live without a doubt.

(The Messenger goes.)

Noah (rising and raising arms to heaven):

O Lord, I thank thee; thou art kind,
 That savest me from all man-kind.

(Calls.)

Haste ye, children; God doth call.
 Hie ye, lest the water fall.
 Shem, Ham, Japheth, come ye here!
 Haste ye, haste ye, son-nes dear.

(Japheth enters from within ark; Shem and Ham enter shaking their fists angrily at Idolaters without, who mock and jeer.)

Idolaters (without): Ho, ho! Ark-builders! Ark-builders, ho, ho!

Shem:

Father, the people mock at us and jeer.
 They say, "See Noah and his son-nes dear!
 Where is the flood of which they have such fear?"

Noah:

Aye, let them mock, for God hath said to me:
 "Thy house shall live; the rest shall swallowed be
 E'en in the mighty belly of the sea."

Japheth: But, father, art thou sure?

Noah (sternly): Well? Sure of what?

Japheth (hastily): Nay, nay, I see I'm wrong; I question not.

Noah:

Doubt not, for God hath given a sign.
 Now let your wives bring food and wine,
 Water and fodder for the kine,
 And work right busily.

(All work busily. The Wives enter carrying pitchers and platters of fruits. Noah's Wife enters leisurely, carrying a distaff, or a plate of fruit.)

Noah's Wife:

Noah, my husband, dost thou then believe
 That the good God would so his children grieve,
 And drown them all? Thou dost thyself deceive.

Noah: I do believe it.

Noah's Wife:

Nay, how comes it, when
 The world is drowned that we be sav-ed then,
 That we alone be saved of living men?

Noah:

Because to no false gods we've bowed the knee,
 Therefore God hath said to me:
 "Thou and thy family shall sav-ed be."

Noah's Wife:

And must our friends and all our kindred die?
 I cannot save myself and hear their cry.
 If they cannot be saved, no more will I.

Noah: Peace, woman, go within. (Points sternly.)

Noah's Wife: I will not go.

Noah:

Then stand without and watch the waters flow.
 Thou wilt be glad to enter soon, I know. (She seats
 herself beside ark and munches apple or plies distaff.)
 Hark, what was that?

Ham (sullenly):

'Tis the idolaters; they make them merry
 With worship of false gods—and all contrary
 To the true God's command.

Noah:

How long, O Lord, how long must we
 Listen to this mockery?
 O let the flood appear on sea and land!

(Music. Enter the Idolaters carrying an idol of gold. They sing and dance about it.)

Listen: [[mp3]] [[Ogg Vorbis]] [midi]

Sheet Music: [pdf]

Music XML: [XML]

(One Idolater pours out a libation of wine. Noah strides forward and knocks over idol. The Idolaters huddle back.)

Noah: Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination to the Lord!

Idolaters: Sacrilege!

Noah: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the stall! Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out!

Sons (loudly): Amen!

Idolaters: Woe! Woe! Woe! (They surge forward.)

First Idolater: Upon them!

Second Idolater: Scatter them!

Third Idolater: Destroy them!

Fourth Idolater: No! (He pushes others back.)

It is the old ark-builder. Very sad!
 Cursing of other men hath made him mad.

WIFE OF NOAH'S SON

Click for larger image.

A Maiden (holding out her hand to Japheth):

Come, join in the dance;
 Be glad and sing.
 For the juice of the grape
 Is a pleasant thing,
 And hath sweet fragrance.
 Be glad and sing.

(The Idolaters start out, Japheth following.)

Noah's Wife: My son, and dost thou leave me?

Noah:

Go thy ways.
 Thou shalt repent thee before many days.

First Idolater (pointing upward mockingly):

I see a cloud in the sky; it grows.
 Perchance, it is your flood. Who knows?
 Get into the ark lest it wet your toes.

All the Idolaters (laughing): Get into the ark lest it wet your toes. (They dance out with Japheth.)

Noah (arms upraised):

Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth,
 For the hour of her desolation cometh!

(Turns to other sons.)

Have done, ye men and women all,
 Hie ye, lest the water fall.
 Of clean beasts, seven shall be,
 Of unclean, two; thus God bade me;
 The flood is nigh, I plainly see;
 Wherefore hasten ye,
 And see now that each beastie be in stall.

(Shem and Ham go out. Noah turns his back and laments):

And Japheth hath forsaken me—my son!
 O my son Japheth, O my son, my son!

Noah's Wife (mocking):

Why dost thou grieve? The Lord hath promised thee,
 Thou shalt be saved and all thy family.

Noah (turning):

Yea, it is well, and God doth not deceive.
 He will return again, I do believe.

Ham (returns):

The animals are in the ark,
 Save those which Shem now bringeth. Hark!
 Hear ye the roaring and the bark?

(Loud roarings heard outside.)

(Enter Shem with procession of animals. Ham aids him drive the animals. First of all enters a solitary Dragon.)

Noah: Where is your mate, good Dragon? Tell me—where?

Dragon (with a mournful flap of his claw):

She is eating up the village over there.
 She bade me ask how many there would be
 Within the ark?

Noah: My sons, their wives and me.

Dragon: I cannot add.

Noah: In all there will be eight.

Dragon (mournfully):

Alack, alack, good Noah, it is fate.
 I fear she would not enter if she knew.
 She eats a man a day; ye are too few.

Wives (to Noah, with horror in their faces): O father!

Dragon:

Do not fear; too few ye be,
 And eke too thin, to suit my wife and me.

(Crawls out.)

Shem (bringing other animals up):

Sir, here are monkeys, frogs and bears,
 Kangaroos, giraffes and hares,
 Elephants also in pairs.

(Goes out.)

(The Bear sits down facing audience, and scratches his nose. The Monkey runs away; he is brought back. The other Monkey climbs on roof of ark and pulls the ear of Giraffe as that beast looks out of window. They drag the Elephant in with great difficulty. Noah counts off the animals as they enter.)

Noah:

Enter monkeys—frogs—bears—
 Kangaroos—giraffes—hares—
 Elephants also in pairs—
 Stop! Stop! Too many rabbits far there be.

Rabbit (one of a group of little white rabbits): O sir, I only brought my family. (Weeps.)

Noah: Where are the lions? (One Lion stalks in; Wives flee.) Thou art late; turn ye, O Lion; seek your mate.

(Whereupon the Lion shall turn to audience and roar

until his mate shall run to him, and both shall enter the ark together.)

(If so be that any child shall cry or whimper when he heareth the lion roar, then shall the lion remove his mask and say, "Good child, be not afraid.")

Noah:

Now all are in, I plainly see
 The ark can nowise fuller be,
 Save should my son return to me.

(Japheth enters running.)

Japheth (kneeling):

Lo, I have sin-ned against thee;
 I pray forgiveness heartily,
 And do repent me sore.

Noah (embracing him):

Haste ye, haste ye, son-ne dear!
 The sky grows dark; the flood is near;
 And waters 'gin to roar.

(The waters begin to rise. This may be shown by a painted curtain, by folds of green tarlatan or in any way the wisdom of the producer may suggest. Noah's Wife begins to look uneasy and regards the sky.)

Noah: Good wife, wilt thou enter now?

Noah's Wife (hastily): Yes, good Noah, yes, I trow!

(She runs up gang-plank.)

Noah (to sons):

Draw the plank; make all fast.
 The flood cometh quick at last.

WIFE OF NOAH'S SON

Click for larger image

(They draw up plank; then Shem points to distance. Two Tortoises enter, panting. With grins, the sons shove out the plank and Tortoises enter ark. They close the door and window. Enter a Woman of the Idolaters. carrying a baby. She enters between the flood-curtain and the ark.)

Woman (cries):

Good Noah, I repent me of my sin!
 O ope the door, good man, and take me in!
 O ope the door!

Noah (looking out of window):

Call on your gods to lift you from the wave.
 Are your gods helpless that they cannot save?

Woman (holding up baby): Yet save my child!

Noah's Wife (at the window):

Yea, save the child we must;
 For God is merciful as well as just.

Noah:

Cry to the gods of gold to give release.
 I am forbid to save you; go in peace.

(He closes the window; she sinks with her child behind the waves. The water rises; those within the ark chant a psalm.)

Noah (chanting):

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
 The floods have lifted up their voice;
 The floods lift up their waves;

All (chanting):

Above the noise of many waters,
 And mighty breakers of the sea,
 The Lord on high is mighty.

Scene II

Enter the Messenger. (If the play is given in-doors, this may be omitted.)

Messenger:

Although yon sky be peaceful and serene,
 I pray you that the son-ne be not seen,
 And that instead, ye hear the thunder's roar,
 And lightning's flash, as ne'er ye've seen before,
 And rains descend as ye shall see no more.

(Messenger goes.)

(Noah opens window; there is a loud roaring.)

Noah:

Peace! (The noise stills.)
 Now forty days are fully gone,
 Send a dove I will anon,
 To see if aught of tree or stone
 Be dry in any place.
 And if this fowl come not again,
 It is a sign God stops the rain,
 And all is dry in hill and plain,
 By God, his grace.
 Go forth, O Dove, and quickly see
 If this flood yet doth cease;
 If so, return again to me
 With the olive branch of peace.(He lets dove loose.)

Cries Within Ark: The dove! The dove!