Hansel and Gretel by Shirley Barrie - Theatrefolk

Hansel and Gretel

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Hansel and Gretel

by Shirley Barrie

An inventive re-telling of the Grimms' fairy tale. Puppetry, percussive rhythms, twists in language, and unique characterizations.

 About 56 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 7
2 M | 3 W | 2 Any Gender, Percussionists and Puppeteers

Simple Set

 56 pages

Dramedy Classical Adaptation Movement-based Young Audiences

"When you get it right, you get it right - The transformation from page to stage is done with finesse." - The Montreal Gazette

Hansel and Gretel is an inventive retelling of the Grimms' classic tale. Students are given an exciting opportunity to play on stage using puppetry, percussive rhythms, twists in language, and unique characterizations. It's a play for young audiences that stretches the skills of the performers.

Gretel is afraid of many things, especially the woods. Hansel delights in teasing his little sister, but when they are left in the forest, he is determined to protect her.

They are taken in by a friendly witch, who lives in a magical candy house but who is not at all what she seems. The tables are turned and Gretel has to conquer her fears in order to save her brother.

7 Characters
2 M, 3 W, 2 Any Gender, Percussionists and Puppeteers
Hansel [M] (31 puppet lines) lines
A boy; A little bit of sense.
Gretel [W] (5 puppet lines) lines
His younger sister; A little bit more sense than her brother.
Mother [W] 65 lines
What kind of a mother plots to killer her children? In fairytales, a stepmother!
Father [M] 60 lines
Means well. Doesn’t always do well.
Witch [W] 65 lines
The candy house, the oven. The whole works.

Subgenres
Fantasy Fables/Folktales Adaptation Theatre for young audiences Fairy tales

Settings
19th Century

Dress
Elaborate costumes Period costumes

Audience
All audiences Children Pre-teen Teen

Features
Mime Puppetry Poetry Opportunity for spectacle

Set
Simple set

Themes
Childhood Parenting/Family Economic issues

Cross-Curricular Uses
English

Other uses
Audition material Class work Scene work

Prop List

Ball, pile of white pebbles, stack of wood, turnip, rag, two wooden bowls, pieces of bread, axe, washing hung on a line, big key, chicken in pot, big twinkling red jewel, necklace, scarf, hat, vest
Puppets:
Hansel, Gretel, Large Crooked Red Rimmed Eye, Piece of Cake dripping with Fruit, Bowl of Ice Cream, Small Version of White Bird, Large Version of White Bird, Little Gingerbread House, Sun, Waft of Aroma, Hair Brush, Cloth, Pillows, Fluffy Blanket, Crescent Moon, Huge Bowl of Chocolate Pudding, White Duck

Multimedia
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Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

Related Titles

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

A vignette play is a collection of short scenes on a theme. You'll love working with the variety and flexibility of the scenes. Your actors will love the fast pace and fun characters.

There's more. Every Theatrefolk vignette play holds the unexpected. A showcase monologue. A dramatic moment. A change in form. A left turn.

Ideal for classwork, competitions, and more!

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