James and the Giant Peach

Opening Dance/Pantomime

(The opening pantomime begins when the lights dim in the

theatre/gymnasium. All is quiet, until slowly music fills the auditorium. As

if released from a cage, suddenly several “dancers” wearing bright clothing

enter from the back of the auditorium. Each contains a streamer or ribbon or

flag that is peach coloured, and these wave in the air as they skip down the

centre aisle merrily. Meanwhile, from the front of the auditorium, another

group of brightly coloured dancers has entered, also carrying streamers etc.

Both groups converge in the centre, and do a simple dance. NARRATOR #1 is

brought in by hand by one of the smallest dancers who leads the narrator to

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the centre. The dancers engulf NARRATOR #1 in the centre, as they

circle/skip around him/her. Finally they open up the circle, creating a semicircle

behind NARRATOR #1 and The DANCER. This dancer takes a peach

out of his/her pocket and holds it out for the audience to see. The two conduct

a brief clown/pantomime scene of NARRATOR #1 trying to get the peach etc.

At last, in a grand gesture, THE DANCER hands the peach to NARRATOR

#1, who takes it, and bows to the dancer. Casually, NARRATOR #1 takes a

bite of the peach and strolls to their place on stage, sitting down languidly

while eating the peach. The dance continues with one or two more skipping

circles and then the dancers exit through the front entrance of the stage.

NARRATOR #2 enters, as if searching for NARRATOR #1. At least they see

each other and wave. NARRATOR #2 joins #1.

Most of the action takes place on the gymnasium floor, except for the two

NARRATORS who are on the stage, until the shift of the play, when James

enters the Giant Peach. The Giant Peach shall be on the stage, and the action

shall shift so that it is now on the stage rather than the gym floor, unless

specificied.)

Scene 1

(A story is about to unfold…)

Narrator #2:
What have you got there?

Narrator #1:
A peach.

Narrator #2:
Oh, it’s just a peach. And here I was jealous for a moment.

Narrator #1:
Just a peach? How can anyone say, (mocking) “just a peach”?

There is no such thing.

Narrator #2:
Well I’ve had peaches before. Just a bit of fruit is all.

Narrator #1:
(As if covering the ears of the peach) Have some respect for this

most sacred of fruits!

Narrator #2:
(Confused) Well I guess my Mum sometimes puts peaches in a

fruit salad and it’s quite del-

Narrator #1:
(Gasps!) Your Mum dares to mix this delicious, unique,

stunning, most magnificent of all pitted gifts into a mash of pathetic bananas

and apples and oranges. (Getting more intense) Don’t you know that those

fruits have NOTHING on the peach!

2

(There is an uncomfortable silence, while NARRATOR #2 tries to figure out

why his/her friend is so passionate about this fruit. NARRATOR #2 takes a

seat next to NARRATOR #1, and tries several times to speak, as if a bit

afraid.)

Narrator #1:
What is it? Get on with it!

Narrator #2:
Well…I’m not trying to be rude…I just…

Narrator #1:
Spit it out!

Narrator #2:
It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone quite so passionate about

anything really, let alone…(timidly, as if afraid of saying the word) fruit.

Narrator #1:
(Takes a deep breath) You want to know why I am so

passionate?

Narrator #2:
(back pedaling) Well if it’s a personal question, you don’t have

to answer.

Narrator #1:
I’ll answer the question. You want answers?

Narrator #2:
(Now indignant) Yes actually! I think I’m entitled!

Narrator #1:
(Getting heated) You want answers?!

Narrator #2:
(Nearly shouting) I want the truth!

Narrator #1:
(Standing up, strictly shouting like a drill sergeant) You can’t

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