2007 Printable Manual - Texas State Library and Archives ...

The Pirates’ Code:
A Reader’s Theater Script
(By Barrie Teague Alguire.)
Sail Away With Books!
Characters
Captain Hook
Long John Silver
Blackbeard
Captain Calico Jack Rackham
Smee, Captain Hook’s first mate
Staging suggestions
While reader’s theater is usually a stationary activity, it isn’t against the rules for the actors to
move around a bit. For this script, you might start with an empty stage. Smee and Hook would
enter from stage right. Long John enters from stage left. Later, Blackbeard enters stage right and
Capt. Jack comes in from stage left. When Hook hears the crocodile, he and Smee run off stage
right. The remaining actors exit stage left at the end.
Note: Although all of the characters listed are male, the parts can be read by anyone. Blackbeard
and Captain Hook should stand at opposite ends of the group.
HOOK: Smee! Is the coast clear?
SMEE: Aye, Captain.
HOOK: No ticking clocks?
SMEE: No, Captain.
HOOK: I can’t see anything in this blasted fog.
SMEE: I can’t either, Captain. You’d think they would light a lantern or something, when
they’re expecting visitors.
LONG JOHN: Who goes there?
HOOK: Who goes there?
LONG JOHN: I asked you first, matey.
HOOK: Aye, but I can’t see you in this fog. How do I know you’re not an enemy?
LONG JOHN: How do I know you’re not an enemy? Besides, I am the captain of this vessel so I
get to ask the questions.
HOOK: How do I know you’re the captain?
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