The Gnaughty Gnome

The play was written for year 5 and 6 pupils at an urban primary school. It is suitable for key stage 2 children as a Christmas production.

Father Christmas and his two helpers, Sally and Tom are getting ready for Christmas. Father Christmas isn't very keen, and when he hears that the Gnaughty Gnome wants to take over the Christmas present delivery service, he is only too happy to retire. However, after much persuasion and cajoling from Sally and Tom, he agrees to carry on.

They set out on Christmas Eve, but they haven't gone far when they are hijacked by a Gnaughty Gnome magic spell. Father Christmas and the reindeer fall asleep and cannot be woken. Sally and Tom are unaffected, but at a loss to know what to do.

From out of nowhere appears a young fairy, Estella, who offers to help. She has only limited powers of magic, but she is able to bring four toys to life to help the children. And so, Action Man, Sindy Doll, Teddy Bear and Rag Doll appear in life to track down the Gnaughty Gnome and make him change his spell.

Estella can perform one more spell - instant transport - and she sends the band off to the place where the Gnaughty Gnome has been most recently.

The place turns out to be Nursery Rhyme Land and our intrepid band soon discover that it is the Gnaughty Gnome who is responsible for all the things that go wrong there: he pushed Humpty Dumpty off the wall, he stole Bo Peep's sheep, he put the pussy down the well. With this information the children and toys set off in pursuit.

With Teddy's insight and Action Man's laser vision they catch up with Gnaughty on the hill where Jack and Jill met with such misfortune, and soon capture him. All attempts to force Gnaughty to change his spell are useless, and it is left to Rag Doll, who tricks him into giving her the antidote, to put things right.

Back at the north pole Father Christmas is restored to consciousness the children are re-united with him and the toys return to his sack. Unaware that anything untoward has happened, Father Christmas sets off to deliver the presents and Christmas is saved.

The last song can be displayed for audience participation and the words in verse 3 altered to suit the location and personnel involved in the performance.

Comments

Captivating and original new pantomime. It really was a clever package - in fact I enjoyed it more than a professional panto." Kent and Sussex Courier

"I purchased the Gnaughty Gnome from you last year and my pupils thoroughly enjoyed it." Primary School Teacher, Edinburgh, Scotland 2004

Thanks for sending the script. I've read it over and I think it's an excellent choice for my group of students" Elementary School Counsellor, Nevada November 2003

"I wish to repeat the play of the Gnaughty Gnome, which was carried out very successfully three years ago." Primary School Rhyl 2005

"Hi Robert, Just thought you would like to know that 'The Gnaughty Gnome' play which you supplied went down a real treat just before Christmas" Primary School Dorset

Age Range: 9 - 11 years

Duration: 40 minutes

Cast: 25

Number of Songs: 5

Prices:

£25.00 Copy of the script
£7.50 CD of songs
£15.00 Piano Score

Samples:

The Action Man Song
"Hands up, I got you covered"

Scene sample

Images
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