MATCHMAKERS

MATCHMAKERS

What if you couldn't choose your boyfriend or girlfriend?

Some years ago young people couldn't. Matchmakers did! They were always warm accepted in houses. Mostly women were occupied with matchmaking. Their main aim was to find a good match to brides and to bridegrooms. Their services were generously paid, especially when both parts agreed such kind of marriage. In many cases parents decided on behalf of their children to make them engage. Often engagement was organized between under-age-children. Such ceremony was formal and was considered as a kind of verbal declaration of such intentions. Everything was organized by parents with the help of matchmakers.

We're going to pretend we are matchmakers and we have to convince parents how good the boys and girls from our class are. In pairs, student A is the matchmaker and student B is the bride or bridegroom. The aim of the matchmaker is to find as many positive things as possible of student B and tell the class in order to to try to arrange a marriage.



GIRL IN TROUBLE WITH HER MATCHMAKER

Matchmaker:

(Name of girl)

Girl:

Present!

Matchmaker:

Speaking without permission ...

Girl:

Oops ... [They go inside]

Granny:

[to the girl's mother] Who spit in her bean curd?

Matchmaker:

Too skinny ... not good for bearing sons.

Matchmaker:

Recite the Final Admonition.

Girl:

Mmm-hmm-hmm ... 

Matchmaker:

Well?

Girl:

Fulfill your duties, calmly and ... respectively. Um, reflect before you ... snack. Act! This shall bring you honor and glory. 

Matchmaker:

This way. Now, pour the tea. To please your future in-laws, you must demonstrate a sense of dignity. 

Girl:

Um, pardon me ...

Matchmaker:

And silent! [sniffs the tea] Ah ...

Girl:

Could I just take that back? One moment ...

The Matchmaker fights for the teacup, and they both fall back, the tea spilling all over the Matchmaker. 

Matchmaker:

Why, you clumsy! ... Oh! Ah! Woo! [She trips over the fire-pot, spilling the coals and then sitting on them, the bottom of her dress smoking. The matchmaker runs around screaming.]

Outside

Granny:

[To the girl's mother ] I think it's going well, don't you?

The matchmaker runs outside, screaming.

Matchmaker:

Put it out! Put it out! PUT IT OUT! [The girl throws tea over her, putting out the fire. Embarrassed, she hands the teapot to the Matchmaker and quickly walks toward her mother and grandmother]

Matchmaker:

[furious] You are a DISGRACE! You may look like a bride, but you will NEVER bring your family honor!




FIVE SISTERS WAITING FOR THEIR MATCHMAKER

 

Five sisters are talking about the matchmaker who is coming.

Hodel:

Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,

Chava:

She might bring someone wonderful----

Hodel:

Someone interesting----

Chava:

And well off----

Hodel:

And important---

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

Make me a match,

Find me a find,

catch me a catch

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Look through your book,

And make me a perfect match

Chava:

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

I'll bring the veil,

You bring the groom,

Slender and pale.

Bring me a ring for I'm longing to be,

The envy of all I see.

Hodel:

For Papa,

Make him a scholar.

Chava:

For mama,

Make him rich as a king.

Chava and Hodel:

For me, well,

I wouldn't holler

If he were as handsome as anything.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

Make me a match,

Find me a find,

Catch me a catch,

Night after night in the dark I'm alone

So find me match,

Of my own.

(spoken)

Tzeitel:

Since when are you in a match, Chava? I thought you just had your eye on your books.

(Hodel chuckles)

Tzeitel con't:

And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son.

Hodel:

Well, why not?

We only have one Rabbi and he only has one son.

Why shouldn't I want the best?

Tzeitel:

Because you're a girl from a poor family.

So whatever Yenta brings, you'll take, right?

Of course right!

(throws scarf over her head, imitating Yenta)

(singing)

Hodel, oh Hodel,

Have I made a match for you!

He's handsome, he's young!

Alright, he's 62.

But he's a nice man, a good catch, true?

True.

I promise you'll be happy,

And even if you're not,

There's more to life than that---

Don't ask me what.

Chava, I found him.

Won't you be a lucky bride!

He's handsome, he's tall,

That is from side to side.

But he's a nice man, a good catch, right?

Right.

You heard he has a temper.

He'll beat you every night,

But only when he's sober,

So you'll be alright.

Did you think you'd get a prince?

Well I'll find the best I can.

With no dowry, no money, no family background

Be glad you got a man!

Chava:

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,

You know that I'm

Still very young.

Please, take your time.