Jack Frost’s Surprise

A Hallowe’en Play in One Act

CHARACTERS

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.]