Description
Part 5 of an 8 part drama, as a group of ladies go on a wacky safari.
In this segment the women meet their Henrietta the dancing hippo . . . honest . . . like a real dancer . . and she wants to come to America. Priscilla Benchley-Ferguson, the BBC London correspondent is getting really stretched on this jungle assignment!
The entire drama can be done as a complete 120 minute presentation, see “Its A Jungle Out There” on the DramaShare site.
In Segment2 to Segment8, (SHOWN BELOW), a (new) rendition of the old song, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is used to bring out a theme, or simply to be silly. . . (there is a lot of silly in this script actually), but excellent learning about being a Christian.
The following LISTING is the makeup of the individual segments of this series, ALL ARE INCLUDED IN THE COMPLETE PACKAGE which is at a preferential price
For the compete package of ALL 8 Segments shown below CLICK HERE
Sketch 1 (Opening) sees the planning for the safari going on. (20 minutes)
Sketch 2 is the arrival in the jungle (16 minutes)
Sketch 3 features Molly the gorilla (14 minutes)
Sketch 4 features Stretch (the short-necked) giraffe (15 minutes)
Sketch 5 (THIS SEGMENT)features Henrietta the dancing hippo (10 minutes)
Sketch 6 features Lucy the leopard (10 minutes),
Sketch 7 features Suzette the (French) lion (10 minutes)
Sketch 8 (Closing) is about leaving the jungle (25 minutes)
This script can be done in 8 separate parts or as one production as a full length or dinner theatre.
See the individual Sketches online for more information on each segment
Cast: 10+
- Christa, the organizer, leader
- Jean, level headed
- Monica, level headed
- Connie, not so much level headed
- Alma, way not so much level headed
- Becky, experienced in safaris
- Ontondra, a native to the jungle,
- Stretch the giraffe
- Molly the gorilla
- Priscilla Benchley-Ferguson, BBC London reporter, (British accent)
- Henrietta the hippo,
- NOT IN THE SKETCH Suzanne the lion, Lucy the leopard,
- (could be extras with non-speaking roles)
Bible Reference:
Set:
- minimal sets, see individual segments
- the first scene is meeting room at the church and all others are jungles scenes
Lighting: standard
Sound: wireless mics if available
Song:
- song to the tune of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight“
SFX:
- sounds of the jungle, animal sounds, etc contact DraamShare
Costumes:
- Human characters would likely be dressed in regular clothing although “safari excursion” clothing would be a nice touch
- animal costumes can be as elaborate as skills and time allow,
- a mask or small item to identify the animal is all that is really necessary
Props:
- microphone, chairs, tables.
Special Instructions: none
Time: 10
This script can be done in 8 separate parts or as one production as a dinner theatre.
Sample of script:
Sketch #5 – Henrietta the Hippo
Actors: Christa, Monica, Jean, Alma, Connie, Becky, Priscilla, Ontondra, Henrietta
actors walking onstage
Jean: The thing that is the most impressive is how all the creatures in the jungle fit into a plan, all have their place.
Monica: And how they seem to serve each other.
Priscilla: Interesting. . . Example please if you will. . .
Monica: Well take the jackal, he isn’t fast enough or smart enough to hunt for his own food so he follows the lion around and cleans up the table scraps.
Priscilla: Quite so!
Alma: Or the lion and the gazelle.
Priscilla: I am sorry, I do not offhand recognize that relationship.
Alma: Well, duh! . . The eater and the eaten!
Priscilla: “Eater and the eaten”?
Alma: Look, in the jungle the lion can’t just wander up to the takeout window at McDonalds, say “Big Mac and fries”, there has to be something for them to eat.
Christa: And what of hippopotamus?
Alma: Henrietta is so sweet, I could just hug her!
Priscilla: And Henrietta would be . .?
Monica: Henrietta the Hippo.
Priscilla: I say, this should be a ravishing interview . . . well . . where is she? . . Come now, no time to dawdle!
Ontondra: Hippopotami seldom come out of the water during the day, they sunburn easily.
Henrietta wanders onstage, stretching, yawning
Henrietta: I was having the most awesome dream, I was dancing with George Clooney. . . I tell ya, that guy can hoof it!
Priscilla: You were dancing with George Clooney?
Henrietta: Beats always dancing with my cousin Hubert I tell ya! . . That clumsy hippo broke three of my toes at last month’s “Dancing With the Hippos” competition! . . And to make it worse my next door neighbour Teresa won. . . I still say there is some rhinoceros blood way back in her DNA!
Priscilla: If we may . .
Henrietta, sees Alma, rushes to her side: Oh there is my friend, sleek and slender Alma . .
Monica: Sleek and slender?
Alma: It’s Henrietta’s fantasy so back off, OK?
Henrietta, arm around Alma’s shoulder: So, have you thought more about . . you know . . what we were talking about?
Alma: Well, some yes, but . .
Christa: Just exactly what are you two planning?
Henrietta: This gorgeous creature Alma is going to take me home with her to America! . . I am soooo excited . . Who cares if Teresa calls herself the dancing queen, I will be . . (holds hand over heart), . . a citizen of the US of A!
