Billy Goats Gruff Play Script

The playwright, Andrew Pavey, is a guest author on Drama Notebook. He specializes in creating hilarious versions of classic folk tales, fairy tales, and fables. The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a traditional Norwegian fairy tale in which three clever goats outwit a hungry troll. This humorous play adaptation includes modern-day characters and hilarious plot twists.

The script can be used as a stand-alone piece, or as part of a showcase of pieces for a spring or summer performance.

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS:
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Goat 1
Goat 2
Goat 3
Dora the Explorer
Boots (Dora’s monkey)
Troll

At rise: A bridge is center stage. The three GOATS and a “grass” set piece are on one side, and the other side has a “grass” set piece as well. The NARRATORS are standing downstage, away from the action. NARRATOR 1 is your typical sarcastic narrator, while NARRATOR 2 holds up cards to prompt audience reactions. This is done in a very comical way. The TROLL is guarding one side of the bridge but looks bored. The TROLL does not interact with the GOATS or notice them at all.

NARRATOR 1
Once upon a time, in a beautiful pasture, there lived three young billy goats.

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Aww.”

NARRATOR 1 (to audience)
C’mon. You can do better than that.

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Aww” again for audience response.

GOAT 1
This pasture is hardly beautiful.

GOAT 2
Yeah, I’d give it a 3 out of 10. At most.

GOAT 3
Bedbugs everywhere. No complimentary WiFi. Not a fan.

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Boo.”

GOAT 3 (to NARRATOR 2)
What is YOUR problem?

NARRATOR 1
The ungrateful billy goats had lived in that pasture for as long as they could remember, but they were greedy and had eaten every single blade of grass they could find.

NARRATOR 1 picks up the “grass” set piece and places it offstage, then returns to their spot. This can be done by a crew member if necessary. NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying, “Oh no!”

GOAT 2
That’s a cheap plot twist.

NARRATOR 1
They didn’t know how to get to the green pasture.

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying, “Oh no!” DORA enters with BOOTS (yes, seriously).

DORA
Can you help the Billy Goats get to the green pasture?

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Yes.”

DORA
First, they travel through the brown field. What do they do next, Boots?

BOOTS
How about they just go over that huge bridge?

DORA
Good idea, Boots!

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Awww.”

DORA
First, the Billy Goats will go through the brown field. Then they will go over the toll bridge. Then they will reach the green pasture.

GOAT 2
Hey, can we change the channel?

NARRATOR 2 holds up a card saying “Yes.”

GOAT 3
Who even watches Dora anymore?!

BOOTS
I do…

DORA and BOOTS hang their heads in shame and walk offstage.

NARRATOR 1
So, they were forced to make the long journey across the stage – I mean, country – in search of another pasture to graze in. Unfortunately, they soon encountered a serious challenge: the infamous toll bridges of Illinois.