Weird World of Weather is a short comedy about a news station. When the station hires another weather forecaster, little do they know that the “weather” is bored and looking for trouble! Shortly after the first weather forecast, the weather decides to play a little trick on everyone and appear all at the same time – sun with hail, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes and even a volcano eruption! Will the station ever regain control or will the weather continue to wreak havoc? This comedy for children shows that predicting the weather is a lot harder than anyone ever knew!
Barbara Henderson is a German-born novelist and playwright and has lived in Scotland since 1991. She acquired an MA in English Language and Literature, a husband, three children and a shaggy dog along the way. She now teaches drama, although if you dig deep in her past you will find that she has earned her crust as a puppeteer, relief librarian and receptionist among others. Barbara is the author of Fir for Luck and Crystal-Kite, shortlisted Punch, both historical novels for children, and children’s eco-thriller Wilderness Wars, all published by Cranachan. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and has won several national and international short story competitions. She lives in Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland.
Excerpt from the play:
CAST OF CHARACTERS
NARRATOR
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
WEATHER PRESENTER 2
WEATHER PRESENTER 3
CANDIDATE 1
CANDIDATE 2
CANDIDATE 3
CANDIDATE 4
RAINBOW GIRL
HAIL HERO
HURRI-KING
TORNADO TWIN 1
TORNADO TWIN 2
SNOW SOLDIER
LAVA LADY
SUN SISTER
VOLCANO VIKING
MUM
DAD
KID
DOG
SCENE 1 : The Weather Studio
Three weather presenters are about to interview for the post of a fourth one, plus several candidates.
Narrator
Once upon a time in a TV weather studio…
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
Should we begin?
WEATHER PRESENTER 2 and 3
Yes.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
Candidate One, come in.
CANDIDATE 1
(stumbles through, falls off chair etc.) Good m-m-morning.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
Take a seat. We have a few questions for you.
WEATHER PRESENTER 2
Why do you want to be a weather presenter?
CANDIDATE 1
(looks at audience) I dunno.
WEATHER PRESENTER 3
Why would you be good at this?
CANDIDATE 1
(looks at audience, panicking) I dunno.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
How much do you know about weather? Why should we employ you?
CANDIDATE 1
(worried face to the audience) I DUNNO!
WPs all shake heads.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
I think we’ve seen enough. We’ll be in touch. (shouts) Candidate 2, come in!
WEATHER PRESENTER 2
Why do you want to be a weather presenter?
CANDIDATE 2
Hey, do you know the joke about the chicken crossing the road?
(WEATHER PRESENTERS try to ignore him)
WEATHER PRESENTER 3
Why would you be good at this job?
CANDIDATE 2
Well, as you can see I’m good fun. How about the joke with the three tigers in the bar…
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
For goodness sake! How much do you know about weather? Why should we employ you?
CANDIDATE 3
Gosh, you’re all so serious! Let’s have some fun! Right, three tigers were sitting in a bar and the first one said…
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
(to his/her colleagues) What do you think?
WEATHER PRESENTER 2 and 3
NO!
They drag CANDIDATE 2 outside.
CANDIDATE 2
Hey, wait! I haven’t even said the punchline yet!
(CANDIDATE 2 is thrown out)
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
Candidate three please. (aside) Let’s hope for the best!
CANDIDATE 3
Morning. (takes seat, shaking hands with them as she passes)
WEATHER PRESENTER 2
Why do you want to be a weather presenter?
CANDIDATE 3
I have always wanted to be a weather presenter. I love decoding the clues of the natural world, and to be useful.
WEATHER PRESENTER 3
Why would you be good at this?
CANDIDATE 3
I have a degree in geography and have specialised in weather forecasting.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
How much do you know about weather? Why should we employ you?
CANDIDATE 3
I feel nervous, but I think that I could be good with a little training. I certainly have all the training that is required.
WEATHER PRESENTERS look at each other and nod.
WEATHER PRESENTER 1
You can start in the morning. Congratulations, you will join our team.
Music.
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