From: jim.speirs@canrem.com (Jim Speirs)
To: dannys@iis.ee.ethz.ch (Danny Schwendener)
Subject: Skits again



Article #R95a.
==============

Skits

Two for Christmas

Trimming the Tree
Characters: Mother, Father, Child
Props: Scout staff with sprig of evergreen lashed to the top.  Some
materials to make snipping and sawing sounds (you can prerecord these
on cassette tape).

Mother is on stage, father and child out of sight.

Father tells child to go ask mother how the tree looks.

Child runs onstage and asks.

Mother peers through imaginary kitchen window, points and says it
needs more off this side.

Child runs off stage and repeats her directions.  Sounds of sawing,
snipping, etc.

Repeat several times, with mother pointing in different directions
each time, father perhaps becoming impatient, and child becoming more
and more tired.

Finally, many sounds of sawing and snipping.  Father marches on stage
with staff, shoves it to mother and audience.

"Now is it right?!"


The New Computer
Characters: Computer, Child
Prop: instruction book (or simply use mime)

This is a monologue with the opening words left to the imagination of
your boys.

Computer is onstage, crouched on hands and knees with arms covering
head.  Child runs on, announces that Santa has been here and left him
a new computer.

Child opens up computer and sets it up (computer faces audience, bends
over, puts hands on knees).

Child says something like, "Hmmm, here's the instruction book. Uh . .
. lessee . . . (reads)  "To start your computer, insert a disk. "

(Pantomime inserting disk, continue reading)
"Then type the word 'Run' and press the 'Return' key. "

(Puts down book, makes a big show of typing)
"R-U-N"

When he presses the return button, the computer runs off stage.

The child's look of surprise (face the audience!) adds to the ending.


Dinner Special
Characters: two customers, waiter.  Let actors develop actions and
dialogue from the situation
Props: table with tablecloth, candles, menus, etc.  Most important - a
storybook

Two customers enter a fancy seafood restaurant, study menus, etc.
Waiter strives to take orders.  One customer orders shrimp.  The
second says, "I'd like a lobster tail, please. "

Waiter says appropriate things, goes away, returns with storybook,
sits down near customer two but facing audience, and begins reading:
"Once upon a time there was a little lobster.... "


Quick & Corny

Scout 1: Whatcha doing ?

Scout 2: Writing a letter to my little brother.

Scout 1: Why are you writing so slowly?

Scout 1: Because my little brother can't read very fast!