“The Jokers of Jericho”
Written by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2008 Sheep Laughs Publications
Synopsis: In a script that is performed without actor lines, only narration supplied on the soundtrack CD, Storyteller Grandpa is relating the Biblical events of the fall of Jericho to a group of children. As he speaks, our imagination brings it to life, and we see parts of the story acted out by the teens and adults. Told from the perspective of some inhabitants of Jericho watching from the wall as the Israelites march around for the 7th time on the 7th day. They laugh and mock them and Rahab who is there in the city. But when the walls fall, they’re not laughing anymore.
(Soundtrack key: NO LINES TO LEARN, the Skit Trax supply the narration, background music and sound effects.)
In its script form, this is a play with no lines to memorize! One that all ages can be a part of: children, teens, adults and even seniors. You’ll have an easier time recruiting cast members when they hear there are no lines to learn. All of the narration, music and sound effects come on a CD, ready to play!
Length of play: 12 minutes.
Number of cast: Approx. 15, but most of those are minor parts; and as many extras as you have available.
Category: Biblical Story, Dramatic, Medium-Length Skit, No Lines To Learn
Price of Script PDF & MP3 Skit Trax: Instant Download ONLY: $14.99 Add to Cart
Price of Script PDF & Physical CD: $19.99 plus shipping: Add to Cart
YOU MAY ALSO ORDER THE SCRIPT AND SOUNDTRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
NOTE: In case you only want to do the embedded Jericho scene, just delete the framework scenes at the beginning and end, and use the Jericho part on the Soundtrack.
Setting: The stage is divided between the Storyteller’s area, and the Jericho Wall scene.
Time to perform: 12 minutes, the time of the narrated soundtrack.
Characters: Grandpa, the Storyteller. The Storyteller’s Wife. The Children that are listening to the Storyteller; at least 5 or 6, but the more you have to use, the better. David McAllister, the Narrator Kid. Rahab, the harlot. A group of Mockers of Jericho, at least 5 or 6, more if you have them. Several members of Rahab’s family, among whom are her mother and father which are older adults, younger men who are her brothers, and some young female relatives. The two spies that made a covenant with Rahab, which only come in at the end. You may also use any extras as the invading Jewish army, if you have them.
CASTING NOTES: these short series of plays are designed to allow all ages to participate. The kids can be in the group of youngsters that listen to the Storyteller; the teens and adults can act out the story, and an older man can play the Storyteller. An older lady can also play his wife.
Extras: You may cast as many extras as you wish for the listening group of kids, the wall crowd, and Rahab’s family.
Special Costumes: Robes for all the Biblical characters.
Props: A length of red or scarlet rope. (A tie-back for a maroon or burgandy satin swag curtain would be great for this. Otherwise, a dyed or spray-painted rope will do.) A fogger machine would be great to enhance the wall destruction scene.
Promotional materials: Graphics are included on the script download page which you can use to make a poster for your performance.
“The Jokers Of Jericho” Script breakdown
by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2008 Sheep Laughs Records
The play opens with a group of neighborhood children coming to the house of a local celebrity, “grandpa, The Storyteller” who has a radio show. The kids come every Saturday to hear Grandpa tell one of his exciting Bible stories, and among them is the main kid, David McAllister, who at this point is recalling and narrating this event as an adult. He has a problem with being bullied in school over his faith, and is feeling down over it. The kids all gather round as Grandpa begins, and then we see it acted out on the main stage, as the story is brought to life in the audience’s imagination.
At this point the narrator changes to the voice of Grandpa as he tells the story of Jericho. He beings by setting up with some backstory, and leads up to the point where we see what happens from the vantage point of the people of Jericho on the city wall.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: jokers_of_jericho_preview_01
The citizens of Jericho are watching the activity of the Israelites as they march around their city. This is now the seventh day of the marching, and this time they are about to complete their seventh time around the city in one day. The people on the wall are mocking them, making jokes and taking it lightly. As this happens, we see Rahab come onto the wall looking for her young nephew. She tries to persuade him to come with her, as she believes something is about to happen. He wants to stay with his friends, and they start mocking Rahab as well. The teen is undecided, as Rahab begs him to come with her. Finally, he does, as his friends deride him for doing so.
Preview the section of the soundtrack that is heard during the scene above by clicking on the player below.
After they leave to go to her home, the marching armies stop and go quiet. This puzzles the jokers on the wall, who watch in amusement. But when the signal is given, the priests below blow their ram’s horns, and everyone in the crowd circling the wall begins to shout praises to their God. This triggers a shaking in the wall, and the people on it begin scrambling for a handhold in fear. The boxes making up the wall on stage begin to fall, and the people also fall down as the “walls” collapse. The sounds and music on the soundtrack make it realistic.
Preview the section of the soundtrack that is heard during the scene above by clicking on the player below.
After the walls fall, some Israeli soldiers come up to it and meet Rahab and her family as they make their way out. She is holding aloft the scarlet rope as a sign to them, a sign of the promise. She is reunited with the two spies, one of whom is in love with her. They escort her out in triumph and Grandpa relates how she became part of the bloodline that led to the Messiah, Jesus.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: jokers_of_jericho_preview_02
The scene goes back to Grandpa’s house as he finishes, and leads the children in a prayer. David leaves, encouraged by the story to stand firm on his faith in the face of peer pressure to give up his beliefs.
Preview the section of the soundtrack that is heard during the scene above by clicking on the player below.
Okay, if you liked the story breakdown, and enjoyed the Skit Trax previews, buy the complete script and soundtrack here!
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