JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Click here to print FREE Production Notes, Script and Lyrics: and some related Jack and the Beanstalk jokes, an amazing number 5 sum,
and a percussion activity FREE OF CHARGE
by Douglas Wootton
With incidental music by Alison Hedger
Album number AHCM0140
QUESTION: Do we need to pay a Grand Rights fee to stage these new Alison Hedger Children’s Music Shows?
ANSWER: Yes: there is a small standard fee for the Grand Rights. Please email alison.hedger@btinternet.com for details.
A not-too-demanding musical romp through the traditional tale
for ages 8 – 11 years and any others who want a bit of fun!
Chosen for you by Alison Hedger.
Douglas Wootton has written some catchy blues numbers and woven around them some very funny short script in memorable doggerel.
The play script is included with the music downloads.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK has three repeated melodies which carry the story along. The songs are interspersed with narrative, and the piece rolls along in one kaleidoscope of fun from beginning to end. In addition there is a foot-stamping Fee Fie Fo Fum chant, a harp-alert and an exciting spoken giant’s chase and demise. The story characters can deliver some spoken lines and also take solo singing if appropriate. Alternatively, the choir can not only sing all the song lyrics but also say the character solo lines. Both approaches leave the characters free to concentrate on mime, which may suit young performers.
CAST
| Choir |
|
| Narrator(s) |
|
| Jack |
lazy |
| Jack’s Mother |
harassed |
| The Cow |
bewildered |
| Old Man Bean Seller |
cunning |
| Giant’s Mum |
big as a bus |
| Giant |
greedy |
| Hen (optional) |
|
| Harp |
comes to life |
Optional parts for extra children:
sound effects operatives and non-speaking villagers
PROPS some props can be mimed if preferred
- Beans
- Beanstalk
- Rustic table
- Very large saucepan big enough for Jack to hide in
(constructed out of a modified packing box perhaps)
- Cardboard hen (optional – see cast list)
- Stacks of gold eggs
- Large toy axe
N.B. All actions follow the story line – no stage directions are given, as you may be giving a concert performance.
MUSIC
- Three contrasting short bluesy-type melodies which re-occur as the story progresses AHCM541 AHCM542 AHCM543
- Foot-stamping Fee Fie Fo Fum chant – free rhythm
- The Giant’s chase chant AHCM544
- The Harp-alert – free interpretation to sound like a fire engine siren
Background Information
The story as we know it today probably has its origins in an ancient Norse Tale. Written versions go back to the early 18th Century but it can be assumed that prior to this, the tale of Jack encountering a fearsome giant, was handed down for generations by word of mouth. Giants were thought to be real, and unpalatable versions of the story may have included cruelty, violence, gory killings and erotic episodes. However when the tale of Jack along with other fairy stories, was rewritten in the mid 19th Century it became suitable for children and family enjoyment. It was probably at this stage that the fanciful magic beanstalk was added. Early versions of the story were known as Jack the Giant Killer.
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JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Conundrums
How many times can you subtract one bean from five beans?
Once: as after subtracting the first time there are four beans!
Jack’s Mum was one of eight daughters. Each daughter had a brother. How many children were in the family?
Nine: the one brother was common to all eight sisters
Just Kidding
A market holder was selling beans in the market:
“Come and buy, only £2 a kilo” he shouted
Passer-by: “Did you raise them yourself?
“Yes. They were only £1.50 yesterday!”
The Giant’s Amazing Maths
- Choose any number
- Double it
- Multiply by 5
- Drop the naught from the end
- This is the number first chosen
Percussion Fun (by Alison Hedger)
Find suitable school percussion instruments to represent the following:
- Beanstalk (occurs 6 times)
- Jack (occurs 5 times)
- Greedy Giant (occurs 4 times)
- Magic Hen (occurs twice)
- Gold (occurs twice)
Also have some magical-sounding bells to make an atmospheric start and finish to the story.
After one rendition, replace the words with musical instruments.
……..Once upon a time a BEANSTALK grew to enormous proportions. JACK climbed the BEANSTALK and found a GREEDY GIANT living in the clouds. JACK stole the GOLD and the MAGIC HEN belonging to the GREEDY GIANT, and took them back home with him by climbing back down the BEANSTALK. JACK chopped down the BEANSTALK before the GREEDY GIANT could catch him. So JACK had the GOLD and the MAGIC HEN, and was rich. The GREEDY GIANT was got rid of, and the BEANSTALK became famous – everyone knows about JACK and the BEANSTALK!.........
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
by Douglas Wootton
Approximate duration: 35 minutes
Album Number AHCM0140
A BLUESY LITTLE PANTO!!
With additional incidental music by Alison Hedger
All the MUSIC is available as downloads from
SHEET MUSIC DIRECT
Click here to hear, see and purchase separately or as a package,
Windows Media Audio files and Digital Sheet Music
Stage directions are not given, so giving you the option to perform this work either as a choir-based piece with mime, or as a more elaborate drama
The Production Notes and extra material are available as
FREE DOWNLOADS
………………………………………………
INCIDENTAL MUSIC
AHCM540
ALL
Welcome to Jack and the Beanstalk.
This is a story that’s very old
And many times it has been told –
How lazy Jack found wealth and gold.
But even so, we’re very sure
You’d like to hear it just once more!
SONG 1a JACK HE WAS A LAZY BOY
AHCM541
Jack he was a lazy boy
He liked to loaf about,
And so there’s nothing left to eat.
Just hear his mother shout,
“Take the cow to market Jack,
And see what it will fetch.
We’ll have to sell the cow
Because you’re such an idle wretch”.
JACK
But it’s such a long walk to market,
And it’s so boring. Why can’t you go Mum?
Gasps of horror from All
SONG 2a GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
AHCM542
“Get out of the house, you stupid boy.
You never gave your poor old mother any joy.
We’re going to starve, because of you.
We’ve got to sell the cow now, what else can we do?
Well, not a penny have you earned
Or at school your lessons learned.
So get to market now young man
And get the best price that you can”
So Jack he goes off with the cow on a rope.
But do you think that he will sell it? Not a hope!
Because he will meet this strange old man,
Who says to Jack “My lively lad, now here’s my plan.
I’ll give you five beans for that cow,
They’re magic beans”. Young Jack says “Wow.
I’ll have those beans, you take the cow.
I’ll take them home and plant them now!”
Gasps of unbelief from All
ALL But mother said,
FIVE BEANS! FIVE BEANS FOR OUR COW?
Screams AAAAAAARGH!!!
SONG 2b YOU IDIOT BOY
AHCM542
You idiot boy. You stupid child.
You’re such a fool, you’re such a fool you make me wild.
Just give them to me, you dopey lout.
Throws beans away
And now get out, get out, get out, GET OUT!!!
ALL Well, what do you think happens next?
You know, don’t you?
SONG 1b JACK GETS UP NEXT MORNING
AHCM541
Jack gets up next morning and
He says “Mum, come and see
A beanstalk higher than the clouds
And thicker than a tree”.
All look up in amazement and “ooh” and “ahhh”
Jack goes up the beanstalk and
His mother says “Take care.
You never know there might be lots
Of nasty things up there!”
Up and up he goes so high,
It doesn’t bother him.
And at the top he sees a
Giant’s castle huge and grim.
Jack is very hungry and
He thinks “I need a meal.
I bet there’s loads of food in there
To borrow, beg or steal.”
SONG 2c SO JACK HE DECIDES
AHCM542
So Jack he decides to knock on the door;
It’s opened by the biggest giant you ever saw.
She’s big as a bus, the giant’s old Mum.
She says “Hullo my likely lad, so glad you’ve come”.
Jack says “I’d like something to eat”.
She says “Come in now take a seat”.
She thinks “I’ll fatten up this one,
He’ll make a nice meal for my son!”
ALL Then from far away Jack hears the Giant’s giant tread –
All stamp to these famous lines……
FEE, FIE, FOE, FUM
I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN.
BE HE ALIVE OR BE HE DEAD
I’LL GRIND HIS BONES TO MAKE MY BREAD.
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!
SONG 2d OH DON’T LET HIM IN
AHCM542
“Oh don’t let him in, dear giant” says Jack,
“He’ll grind my bones, he’ll break my legs,
he’ll break my back.
Dear lady I swear, I promise it’s true,
I’ve never seen a sweeter lovelier giant than you”.
His words are music to her ear.
She says “I’ll keep you safe my dear.
I’ll do the very best I can.
Now hide inside this big saucepan.”
GIANT
MOTHER!! I SMELL A BOY!!
ALL
And mother said……..
GIANT’S MUM
No, no! No my lovely gigantic son.
It’s just the boy sandwich you had last night.
It’s always hard to get rid of the smell of boys!
GIANT
THEN GET ME MY DINNER
‘COS I’M GETTING THINNER.
FORTY COW PIES…Hmmm THAT SHOULD DO
THEN I’LL FINISH WITH ELEPHANT STEW.
Lots of slurpy noises from ALL. Big sighs, patting of stomachs etc. Even a belch perhaps?
GIANT
NOW BRING ME MY GOLD!
AAAHH! MY LOVELY GOLD, LET ME FEEL YOU!
LET ME SMELL YOU! He does
SONG 3a JACK PEEPS OVER THE EDGE OF THE POT
AHCM543
Jack peeps over the edge of the pot.
The giant is counting his gold on the table.
Jack thinks to himself “I could nobble the lot.
I’ll wait in the pan till I’m able”.
The giant is sleepy, his mother is too.
And soon they are snoring their heads on the
table.
Jack thinks to himself “It’s too good to be true,
I’ll steal all the gold now I’m able”.
Off Jack goes with a run and a jump.
Back down the beanstalk as fast as he’s able.
His mother says “Where have you been you
great lump?”
Then Jack dumps the gold on the table.
ALL
And Mother said………………
“OOOOOOOOOOW!
LOOK AT THAT!!”
SONG 1c MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
AHCM541
Money, money, money, oh
It’s such a lovely word.
It’s quite the best that Jack
And his old mother’s heard.
But the story tells us that
These simple country folk
Spent the lot and soon were
Absolutely stony BROKE!
ALL So……………….
SONG 1d UP THE MIGHTY BEANSTALK
AHCM541
Up the mighty beanstalk goes
Young Jack, again, once more.
And at the giant’s castle soon
He’s knocking on the door.
“Ha” the giant’s mother cries “The
Boy who stole the gold”,
And grabs him by the neck and
Gets him in a strangle hold!
ALL EeeeeeErrrrrrrrK!!!
SONG 2e OH IT WASN’T ME
AHCM542
“Oh, it wasn’t me” he tries to croak.
“Oh Missus Giant please, let me go before I choke.
Oh I wouldn’t steal your precious gold.
It was another boy who looks like me, I’m told”.
Well, she’s a sucker for his charm.
She says “I’ll keep you safe from harm”.
She gives him giant stew to eat,
And then they hear the giant’s feet.
ALL chant and stamp feet
FEE, FIE, FOE, FUM,
I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISH MAN.
BE HE ALIVE OR BE HE DEAD
I’LL GRIND HIS BONES TO MAKE MY BREAD.
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!
ALL
Jack, Jack, quick as you can
Back inside the big saucepan!
GIANT
MOTHER!! I SMELL….A BOY!
ALL
And mother said….
GIANT’S MUM
No, no! No Son.
It’s just the boy omelette you had last night.
It’s always hard to get rid of the smell of boys.
GIANT
THEN GET ME MY DINNER
‘COS I’M GETTING THINNER.
MY, OH MY! SHEPHERD’S PIE?
NOT ENOUGH SHEPHERDS!
ROAST ME A CAMEL AND TWENTY
LEOPARDS!
Lots of slurpy noises from ALL. Big sighs, patting of stomachs etc. Even a belch perhaps?
GIANT
NOW THEN, BRING ME MY HEN!
WE’LL HAVE SOME GOLDEN EGGS
TODAY –
NOW, LAY HEN, LAY!
CHORUS
And in the story, so we’re told,
His wonderful hen lays eggs of gold!
SONG 3b JACK PEEPS OUT OF THE SAUCEPAN
AHCM 543
Jack peeps out of the saucepan just then.
The hen she is laying gold eggs on the table.
Jack thinks to himself “Oh, I’m having that hen.
I’ll wait in this pan till I’m able”
The giant is sleepy, his mother is too.
Soon they are sleeping their heads on the table.
Jack thinks to himself “It’s too good to be true.
I’ll steal the fat hen now I’m able”
Off Jack goes with a jump and a run,
Back down the beanstalk as fast as he’s able.
His mother says “Where have you been
my young son?”
Then Jack puts the hen on the table.
ALL
And Jack says……..
JACK
We’ll have some golden eggs today –
Now, lay hen lay!
ALL
And the hen lays a golden egg!
And another, and another,
and another!
Oooooeeeee!! said mother.
Now we’ll never have to beg.
SONG 1e BUT HAVING LOTS OF MONEY
AHCM540
But having lots of money
Doesn’t stop you being bored,
Even though there’s nothing in
This world you can’t afford.
Jack decides to climb the magic
Beanstalk just once more,
And sneaks inside the castle through a
Crack in the back door.
ALL
And this time Jack, that crafty little man,
Hides in the oven, not in the pan!
SONG 3c THE GIANT HAS EATEN
AHCM543
The giant has eaten another huge meal.
There’s nothing amazing upon the big table.
Jack thinks to himself “Oh, there’s
nothing to steal.
I’ll get out of here when I’m able”
The giant shouts “Mother, now bring me my harp”.
He calls to the harp saying “Play to me sweetly”
Such wonderful music, so mellow notsharp.
The giant is spellbound completely.
Jack is enchanted by music so sweet.
It sends the great giant to sleep at the
table. Jack snatches the harp with his fingers
so neat, And runs off as fast as he’s able.
ALL
But SHOCK and HORROR!
The harp begins to sing……
“ HELP! HELP! STOP THIEF!
HELP! HELP! STOP THIEF!”
ALL
Run Jack, run!
Don’t stop running.
Run Jack, run!
The giant is coming!
SONG 4 THE GIANT AWAKES
AHCM544
Speaking over accompaniment
The giant awakes with a mighty roar.
He sees Jack running out of the door.
Suddenly giant land isn’t such fun.
Faster and faster young Jack must run
Down the beanstalk, quick as lightning.
Here comes the giant so huge and frightening.
“Mother” cries Jack, “Quick bring me an axe”
He chops and slashes and cuts and hacks.
The beanstalk bends and breaks and
CRASH!
Down falls the giant, his head goes
SMASH!
It’s not very healthy to fall on your head!
And so the beanstalk giant was
DEAD!!!!
ALL
shouting HOORAY!
SONG 1f SO NOW JACK AND HIS MOTHER
AHCM541
So now Jack and his mother
Are as happy as can be.
They’ve got the hen, they’ve got the
Harp it’s easy-street for free!
Alternative line:(Harp and satellite TV!)
So dear friends remember though
A giant is huge and tall,
The bigger that they come, will mean
The harder they will fall!
ALL
Well, that ends our story of
Jack and the Beanstalk.
Thank you for listening…..
And now you may talk!
Bye-bye!
INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO FINISH
AHCM540
…THE END…
Click here to hear, see and purchase separately or as a package,
Windows Media Audio files and Digital Sheet Music
(The play script is included with the sheet music pages)
 |
© 2009 Alison Hedger Children’s Music |
|
