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Hansel and Gretel by Shirley Barrie play script cover

Hansel and Gretel

by Shirley Barrie Canadian Author

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.

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 56 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
7 Characters
2 M 3 F 2 Any Gender
Percussionists and Puppeteers
Set
Simple Set
Length
56 pages
Free Excerpt

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Performance Royalty Fees

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.

7 Characters

2 M, 3 F, 2 Any Gender, Percussionists and Puppeteers
Hansel [M] (31 puppet lines) lines
A boy; A little bit of sense.
Gretel [F] (5 puppet lines) lines
His younger sister; A little bit more sense than her brother.
Mother [F] 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 [F] 65 lines
The candy house, the oven. The whole works.

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