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Beware the Jabberwock

Short Play, Comedy  /  3girl(s), 2boy(s), 11any gender (youth)

Emma and Lucy are lost in Tulgey Wood, a mysterious forest full of weird and wonderful creatures. Joined by intrepid but hapless knight Percy, they come face to face with the awesome Jabberwock – and then Lucy is bandersnatched! Eventually the Jabberwock’s terrible secret is revealed, and the children find out what “frumious” really means.

Beware the Jabberwock

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3girl(s), 2boy(s), 11any gender (youth)
  • Duration
    Duration
    40 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fantasy, Adaptation (Literature), Theatre for Young Audiences, Fable/Folktale
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences, Children (Age 6-10), Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Finalist! 2006 Drama Association of Wales One Act Playwriting Competition, Youth Section
    Finalist! 2006 Scottish Community Drama Association Play on Words One Act Playwriting Competition, Youth Section

Details

Summary

Emma and Lucy are lost in Tulgey Wood, a mysterious forest full of weird and wonderful creatures. Trying to find their way home, they encounter boisterous Toves and anxious Raths, receive a warning from the refined and snobbish Borogroves about the deadly Jubjub Bird, and are stalked by the frumious Bandersnatch. Joined by intrepid but hapless knight Percy, they come face to face with the awesome Jabberwock – and then Lucy is bandersnatched! Eventually the Jabberwock’s terrible secret is revealed, and the children find out what “frumious” really means.

Suggested by the poem “Jabberwocky,” the play is set in the fantasy world of Lewis Carroll's Alice stories. Shortlisted in Scottish and Welsh playwriting competitions, one judge commented, “it has the same delightfully confusing dialogue of Carroll’s work and brings back fond memories of reading these stories as a child. Wonderfully cryptic nonsensical moments as well as moments of philosophical clarity made me smile and wonder. This play will go down a treat with children and adults alike.”

History
Beware the Jabberwock was first produced by Glenrothes Theatre Company’s Junior Players in June 2007. It was directed by Norma Nicol. The first USA production was by Springside School in Philadelphia in November 2009.

EMMA
LUCY, HER YOUNGER SISTER
FIRST TOVE
SECOND TOVE
THIRD TOVE
JUBJUB BIRD
THE QUEEN
FIRST BOROGOVE
SECOND BOROGOVE
FIRST RATH
SECOND RATH
PRINCE PERCY
TUMTUM TREE
JABBERWOCK
FIRST BANDERSNATCH
SECOND BANDERSNATCH

This is primarily a ‘youth’ play

  • Time Period Not Applicable
  • Setting

    Fantasy forest setting – as simple or as elaborate as desired

  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission, Physical Comedy
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Entertainment doesn’t get better than this.” – Amateur Stage

“Nonsensically fun and whole-family-friendly.” – Lewis Carroll Society of North America

“Played to mesmerized audiences.” – Wiscasset MS, Maine

“Something for everyone - not to be missed!” – Crossville Chronicle, Tennessee

“Fun, bright, fast-paced and hysterical – incredible entertainment.” – Weymouth HS, Massachusetts

“So excited to do my third production of your briliant plays. You are such an inspiration and your scripts create such joy for us as we get to create in your magical worlds. Thank you so much.” – Liesl Settgas, Stagenorth Groundlings

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £40 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Ron Nicol

Ron Nicol is an award-winning Scottish playwright published in the UK, United States and the Netherlands. He has written more than 50 one-act dramas, comedies, plays for young people, full-length plays and pantomimes. His work has been produced in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada ...

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