On Hallowe’en Night

A Play in Four Scenes

CHARACTERS

COSTUMES

Witches wear long, black capes, pointed black hats and carry broomsticks.

Owls and Cats wear masks.

The other characters may wear their names on their sashes or caps, unless more elaborate costumes can be provided.

No special scenery is needed.

Scene I

[In the woods. Witches enter from right and left.]

[Three recite]:

On Hallowe’en night, when the moon is bright,

And all the world is still;

On Hallowe’en night, when the moon is bright,

We come tripping o’er the hill.

[Others recite]:

On Hallowe’en night, we will scare you quite,

If you mortals will come out;

On Hallowe’en night, we will scare you quite,

We’re wise witches without a doubt.

[They stand in line, tap canes after each recitation.]

First:

One little boy cries when he goes upstairs.

Second:

One little boy will not say his prayers.

Third:

One little girl will cry and tease.

Fourth:

One little girl will never say “Please.”

Fifth:

Little boys, little girls, we laugh and shout.

Sixth:

Ha, ha; ho, ho; the witches are out.

[All sing.]

Tune: “Coming Through the Rye.”

1.

If you ever chance to wander,

Late on Hallowe’en;

If you ever chance to wander,

Many sights are seen.

Witches are so very funny,

In their cap and gown;

Just hear our canes go rap-a-tap,

The witches are in town.

2.

Soon the witches will be dancing,

Out upon the green;

Soon the witches will be dancing,

Late on Hallowe’en.

With their canes a-rapping, tapping,

You can hear them shout,

If they catch a mortal napping,

He had best look out!

[They dance two and two, and dance out.]

Scene II

[In a schoolroom. A large sign at back of stage, “Kept After School.” Teacher at desk, several children in seats.]

Teacher:

Late today and late tomorrow,

Tardiness will bring much sorrow.

Little Boo-Hoo:

I’m always late, what can I do,

But cry again, Little Boo-Hoo.

Little Never-Care:

I’m the little boy who Never Cares,

I even forget to say my prayers.

Miss Teaser:

I’m only known as Little Miss Teaser,

Nothing ever is known to please her.

Mr. Never-Say-Please:

I am Mr. Never-Say-Please,

I quite forget kind words like these.

Teacher:

To be on time, now is the rule,

And I have kept you after school;

But you’d better run home now without doubt,

’Tis Hallowe’en, the witches are out.

[The Witches are seen peeping in door or window.]

Children:

Ha, ha; ho, ho; we need some switches,

To keep away the silly witches;

To be disturbed we do not mean,

When homeward bound on Hallowe’en.

Scene III

[Same as Scene I. Many children are seen hurrying along through the woods with dinner pails, the four who were kept after school coming in last, and finally left alone on the stage. They sing or recite.]

Tune: “Lightly Row.”

1.

Autumn time, autumn time,

All the leaves are falling down;

Autumn time, autumn time,

Leaves of red and brown.

Trip it lightly as you go,

Hallowe’en has come you know;

Autumn time, autumn time,

Witches are in town.

2.

Hallowe’en, Hallowe’en,

Comes but once in every year;

Hallowe’en, Hallowe’en,

Fairies will appear.

Little elves in wood and glen,

Are the little fairy men;

Hallowe’en, Hallowe’en,

Spooks are drawing near.

Owl [behind scenes]:

How do you do? How do you do?

Tu-whit, tu-whoo, tu-whit, to-whoo.

Children:

If we were good, yes, very, very good,

We never would be lost in the woods.

Cat [behind scenes]:

Would you like to get out?

I could tell you how

If you learned my language,

Meow—meow.

Children:

Ghostly shadows linger near,

We are lost it doth appear.

[Witches come in, circle round the children.]

Witches:

Spell of air and spell of water,

For each little son and daughter;

Turn them into dolls today,

Or wooden statues as we say.

You’ll need some manners it is seen,

Even now, on Hallowe’en.

[They lead a boy and a girl right, a boy and a girl left, where they stand still as statues while the play continues.]

Witches [rapping]:

Rap-a-tap, rap-a-tap,

Take a little winter nap;

Little Owls, little Cats, where have you been,

Come, join our revels on Hallowe’en!

[Enter Cats and Owls.]

Dance and play, dance and play,

Summer days are over;

Dance away, dance away,

Last night of October.

Cats:

We are the Cats, we bow and sing,

And we can do most anything.

Owls:

We are the Owls, with eyes so bright,

We’re always “seein’ things at night.”

First Cat:

What’s yonder there? [Points to children.]

Second Cat:

Just see him stare!

Third Cat:

And here, and here.

Fourth Cat:

Some spell, ’tis clear.

First Owl:

A paper doll’s worth lots of money.

Second Owl:

This one holds a basket, it is funny.

Third Owl:

A wooden statue now I see.

Fourth Owl:

His dinner pail appeals to me!

[Cats circle round boy and girl at right, Owls round boy and girl at left. The curtain falls.]

Scene IV

[Same as Scene III. Two boys and two girls still remain on stage in the statue-like positions. Three ships are next shown on a sheet, and led by a trumpeter, Columbus and his Sailors enter.]

Trumpeter:

Blow, trumpet, blow; blow, trumpet, blow,

Columbus is a rover;

Blow, trumpet, blow; blow, trumpet, blow,

With his discovery over.

He may not know which way to go,

Blow, trumpet, blow; blow, trumpet, blow.

[Enter Columbus and Sailors; Sailors dance and sing.]

Tune: “Yankee Doodle.”

1.

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

We love the water’s motion;

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

We make a great commotion.

Chorus.

Sing! hurrah for Hallowe’en,

See Columbus coming;

Sing! hurrah for Hallowe’en,

Join us in our humming.

2.

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

And up the mast we’re going;

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

And stormy winds are blowing.

3.

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

We’ll land and give a party;

We’re sailors bold on Hallowe’en,

We give a greeting hearty.

Sailors:

In 1492, we made discoveries, it is true,

Some claim there is nothing ever new

At midnight on Hallowe’en.

Columbus:

Whist! be still! what have we here?

Some new discoveries it is clear.

[Columbus goes to boys and girls.]

Columbus:

Oh! who will break the magic spell,

The Witches are about;

The Owls and Cats now re-appear.

There’s mischief without doubt!

[The Witches, Owls and Cats creep in.]

Owls:

Be good—remember words like these,

Go home and do not pout or tease;

And do remember what you’ve seen

Late at night on Hallowe’en.

Or else next year we’ll call for you,

Tu-whit, tu-whoo, tu-whit, tu-whoo!

Cats:

Be good—and try to be polite,

As well as learn to read and write;

For enchanted you have been,

On this night of Hallowe’en.

If you want to improve, we’ll tell you how,

Meow—meow—meow—meow.

Witches:

Believe in witches if you choose,

Just go about and spread the news;

We’ll try to get you without doubt,

On Hallowe’en if you are out.

You’ve felt tonight the Witches’ spell,

Little mortals, fare-you-well.

[The Cats, Owls and Witches go out. Columbus brings out a large flag, the Sailors circle right and left around the children, recite and close with one verse of Star Spangled Banner; children come to life and join in chorus.]

Columbus:

We’ll wave a flag red, white and blue,

The bonnie banner for me and you;

Come, form a ring, we’ll dance and sing,

’Twill break the spell of everything.

[All wave flags as they sing chorus, and all who have taken part in the play, re-enter, line up in the back, and join in the chorus.]