Description

Guy Fawkes Assembly

Guy Fawkes Assembly has a cast of 30 – numbers can be easily reduced (as explained in Production Notes).  The includes of a *mini-play entitled The Trial of Guy Fawkes presents a ‘new take’ on history’s verdict – an interesting twist when the only witness is found guilty by the only member of the jury! i.e. Guy Fawkes walks (free)! This mini-play has a cast of 6 and its inclusion is optional – the rest of the assembly focuses on the facts! Another ‘addition’ is at the end of the script where I have included a Fact File – which I thought would be useful (a) to add more facts to the assembly if necessary (perhaps if the mini-play is not included) (b) as an introduction to the subject (c) as the basis for a quiz, to test the children’s knowledge. Hopefully, a pretty comprehensive package!

*Guy Fawkes on Trial This is a short play with a cast of 6. It could be used in the classroom or put on as a performance in front of the school or used by a drama club. Duration: Around 10 minutes

Sample text From Guy Fawkes Assembly:

Characters (Cast of 30)

Narrator

Children 1 -10

Guy Fawkes plus 13 Conspirators

Cast for ‘play’: Judge

Guy Fawkes

Policeman (Witness) – see Production Notes

Defence

Prosecutor

Member of the Jury

Music: Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks

(Children file in to this music)

Narrator:             Good morning and welcome to our Guy Fawkes Assembly.

Child 1:                 The music you have just been listening to is Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. First performed in 1749 for George II

Child 2:                 But more recently played, in 2002, in celebration of our present queen’s Golden Jubilee

(Child 3 nudges Child 2)

Child 2:                 Oh! That’s Queen Elizabeth II, of course! At Buckingham Palace – plus fireworks!

Child 3:                 The earliest fireworks were made in China, around 2,000 years ago – otherwise known as Chinese crackers!

Child 4:                 The first ones to be used in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.

Child 5:                 Fireworks became more and more popular

Child 6:                 And King James II was so impressed by those used at his own coronation in 1685 that he had the guy in charge knighted!

Child 7:                 Did you say ‘guy’?

Child 6:                 I may have done. Why?

Child 7:                 Not the Guy?

Child 6:                 What are you on about?

Child 7:                 (Shaking his head in disbelief) Only the most famous Guy in our entire history!

(Guy Fawkes steps forward)

Guy Fawkes:      (To Child 7) Thank you! That would be me! Guy Fawkes!

(Whole cast applauds and cheers)

Narrator:             (Disapprovingly) Only the most infamous Guy in our entire history!

Guy Fawkes:      (Looking hurt) Ooh! That’s a bit harsh!

Narrator:             I don’t think so! We will draw our own conclusions from the following evidence. (To Guy Fawkes) Please sit down!

(Guy Fawkes sits down, moodily)

Narrator:             So. Let’s learn a little more about this man – this Guy Fawkes.

Child 8:                 He was born and educated in York.

(Guy Fawkes stands up)

Guy Fawkes:      Nothing wrong with that!

Narrator:             (Testily) Do please remain seated, Mr. Fawkes, until I ask you to stand up!

(Guy Fawkes sits down again)

Narrator:             Please continue.

Child 9:                 At around the age of 16 he became a Catholic and became very cross when his king, James I, refused to let Catholics practice their own form of worship.

Child 10:               At that time, only the Protestant form of worship was allowed. Guy Fawkes wanted to change this.

(Guy Fawkes stands up)

Guy Fawkes:      Well, can you blame me? Wasn’t it just a little unfair that we were forced to practice our religion in private? And even then we ran the risk of being executed, if found out!

Narrator:             So you decided to take matters into your own hands? By blowing up the king of England?

Guy Fawkes:      Quite right! And to help me …. (Waving co-conspirators onto the stage) Meet my fellow conspirators!

(Each taking a bow as they introduce themselves)

Robert Catesby:               Robert Catesby, at your service. I was the leader!

For sample text of mini play, go to Trial of Guy Fawkes in History section of Guided Reading.