The Liturgical Commission

Chorus plays present Scriptural stories in the form of a play with both individual characters and a chorus. The chorus aspect allows for whole group participation. One of the aims of Chorus plays is to provide not only a presentation of the story but also - and more importantly - an informed interpretation of it. There are many excellent sources of reference available today to assist interpretation, especially Biblical commentaries.

Example
The birth of Jesus is announced
Luke 1:26-32

Leader: This story from St Luke's gospel tells us how Jesus got his name.

Reader: One day, the angel Gabriel came to visit a young woman. Her name was Mary. The angel said to her:

Angel: Peace be with you Mary.

Chorus: Peace be with you Mary.

Angel: God is with you and you are greatly blessed.

Chorus: Mary is greatly blessed.

Reader: But Mary did not feel greatly blessed, she felt quite worried.

Mary: What do you want with me? I haven't done anything wrong.

Chorus: Mary hasn't done anything wrong; she is greatly blessed.

Angel: Do not be afraid Mary, God is looking after you. You are to have a son and you will name him Jesus.

Chorus: Mary will have a son, a baby! And his name will be Jesus!

Angel: He will be special, he will be great. He will be God's very own son!

Chorus: Jesus is God's very own son.

From Sacramental Resource Kit, Brisbane Catholic Education 2001

ECHO MIMES

An echo mime is a simple device for assisting (usually younger) people to understand and recall a Scriptural story. The method is quite simple: a passage is chosen and rewritten in short, simple statements. For each statement, an action is devised. The leader (an individual or group) voices the statement and performs the accompanying actions. Both statement and action are repeated or echoed by the rest of the group.

Example
Jesus is tempted
Mark 1:12-15

Jesus went into the desert.
Walk on the spot, right hand over eyes looking in all directions.

He was hot.
Wipe hand over forehead and make a blowing sound.

He was thirsty.
Make a cup with hand and put to mouth.

He was tempted by the Evil One.
Cross hands in front of face.

There were wild animals.
Make ‘wild animal' actions and noise.

God's angels took care of him.
Hold both arms out as if to embrace.

Good News! Good News!
Raise left hand and make flashing motion.
Do the same with the right hand.

Trust in God.
Circular motions with arms out in front.

Believe in God.
Hands in prayer position.

From Attending to the Sacred: Resources for Children aged 4-8 years , Brisbane Catholic Education 2003

FROZEN TABLEAUX

Visual stimulus assists the children to embrace the story. Some ideas for this are included throughout the gospel reflection. The ‘actions' are actually frozen positions which the various characters display at different times throughout the reading. It is suggested that one group of children do the actions involving Mary, Martha and Jesus and a different group read their parts.

Example
Lazarus
John 11:3-7, 17-27, 33-45

Reader: One day, Mary and her sister Martha sent a message to Jesus.

Action: Mary and Martha sitting together. Martha has one hand outstretched. Lazarus is standing to one side.

Sisters: Jesus, your good friend Lazarus is very sick.

Action: Jesus stands some distance from the sisters. He extends a hand towards them.

Jesus: Don't worry Martha. Mary, it'll be okay. Lazarus will not die.

Reader: At this time Jesus was staying in a place some distance from where Mary and Martha lived. After a couple of days he returned to Bethany to see Lazarus.

Action: Another child enters and gently wraps a large bandage around Lazarus, then leaves.

Reader: When Jesus finally arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, he discovered that Lazarus was already dead.

Martha: Jesus is here at last and I'm going out to welcome him.

Action: Martha moves to stand near and look at Jesus.

Martha: Jesus, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But you can still save him because God will do anything for you.

Jesus: Martha, Martha, fear not. Lazarus will live again. He will rise to new life.

Martha: I know that he is living with God and that if we believe in God we will have eternal life. And I know that you are God's Son, the one we've been waiting for.

Jesus: You are right Martha. I am the resurrection and the life. Now let's go and find your sister Mary.

Action: Martha and Jesus move to stand near Mary. Mary crouches at the feet of Jesus, head bowed, deep in sorrow.

Mary: Jesus, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.

Reader: Jesus was deeply moved by the sorrow of Mary and Martha and he too began to weep.

Action: Martha and Jesus bow heads in deep sorrow.

Reader: Mary led Martha and Jesus to the tomb where Lazarus was buried.

Action: All turn towards Lazarus.

Reader: When they arrived at the tomb, Jesus gave an order:

Jesus: Take the stone away from the tomb. Lazarus, come out!

Action: Lazarus turns to face Jesus.

Jesus: Untie him and let him go free!

Action: Two children remove the bandage from Lazarus, who stands with arms elevated in praise of God.

Leader: Many people saw what happened that day and believed in Jesus. This is the Good News of Jesus.

From Children's Activities for the Lenten Program, Year A, Brisbane Catholic Education 2002.

LIQUID PICTURES

Liquid pictures is a form of drama which allows a story to be presented in a flowing or liquid manner. The process follows this pattern:

Choose a familiar Scriptural story and divide it into five or six main sections.
For each section choose one or two short phrases.
Choose a simple action for each section.
Choose one person for each section. These five or six people stand with their backs to the rest of the group.
A teacher or leader introduces the story with a simple statement.
The first student, turns to face the group, repeats a phrase two or three times (once is not enough for children to remember!) then freezes. Process continues until the last student finishes.
The teacher or leader concludes with a simple statement.

Example
Jesus is tempted
Mark 1:12-15

Leader: God's Spirit made Jesus go into the desert

Into the desert, into the desert, into the desert!
For a long time, a long time, for a very long time!
There were wild animals, wild beasts, wild animals everywhere.
But Jesus was safe, safe and sound, safe in the desert.
The time has come, the Kingdom is here, here right now, this is it!

Leader: Turn back to God and believe, believe, believe the Good News!

From Attending to the Sacred: Resources for Children aged 9-14 years, Brisbane Catholic Education 2003

ECHO REFLECTION

Example
Promise to Noah
Genesis 9:8-15

Leader: God told Noah and his family, “I am going to make a promise.

All: A promise.

Leader: A promise to all people and all creation.

All: All people and all creation.

Leader: This is an important promise.

All: A really important promise.

Leader: A very serious and important promise.

All: A serious and important promise.

Leader: And this is it.

All: Here it comes…

Leader: I promise to look after the earth and all the creatures on it.

All: Everybody in fact!

Leader: The earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood.

All: Never again will a flood destroy the earth.

Leader: There will be a special sign in a sky.

All: A rainbow!

Leader: To tell you that I will keep my promise.

All: A rainbow in the sky.

From Attending to the Sacred: Resources for Children aged 9-14 years, Brisbane Catholic Education 2003

RAP

Example
Zacchaeus Rap

Jesus went to Jericho one fine day
The crowd gathered round him along the way.
A little man, Zacchaeus, climbed a big huge tree
He waited, excited, for Jesus to see.

Zacchaeus climbed a big, huge tree
Jesus, Jesus, he wanted to see.

When Jesus saw him, he said “Come on down.
Invite me to your place. I like this town.”
Zacchaeus got down in a great big hurry
He welcomed Jesus with an enormous flurry.

Zacchaeus climbed down the tree
Jesus, Jesus, he wanted to see.

The crowd turned around and began to mumble
“He's a sinner, he's no good”! each one grumbled.
Zacchaeus just stood there and said “I'm sorry.
I don't want to cause any more worry.”

Zacchaeus said “Lord, I am sorry.”
Jesus said, “Zac, don't you worry'”

“I'll change my ways and give to the poor.
I don't want to hurt anyone any more.”
Jesus said, “Zac, I'm glad you're back.
Let's go now and have this snack.”

Zacchaeus said, “Lord, I am sorry.”
Jesus said, “Zac, let's not worry.”

From Sacramental Resource Kit, Brisbane Catholic Education 2001