The Play - Hansel And Gretel

The play

HANSEL AND GRETEL

CHARACTERS HANSEL GRETEL WITCH FATHER RABBIT

Recursos Educativos s.l.  se reserva el ejercicio exclusivo de los derechos de explotación de este guión en cualquier forma y, en especial, los derechos de reproducción, distribución, comunicación pública y transformación.

2

HANSEL AND GRETEL

First Scene OUTSIDE HANSEL AND GRETEL’S HOUSE

(Nice and lively music starts while the curtain goes up. Stage design: a house in the middle of a dense wood full of trees.) (Hansel and Gretel’s father is cutting wood to the rhythm of the music. He is getting tired (the axe is old and it’s difficult for him to cut the wood).

Father:

Gretel! (raising his voice towards the house) Bring me a glass of water, please.

(Gretel comes out with a glass of water and a teddy bear-type furry monkey toy she always carries with her.)

Gretel:

Here you are, daddy. (Gives the glass to her father and he sits on a trunk to drink it and rest. He dries his sweat with a handkerchief). Are you tired daddy? I’ll help you. (Gretel tries to take the axe in order to help her father, but can’t)

(Hansel comes in, playing a wooden flute (made by his father). Hansel sees that Gretel can’t cut the wood and runs towards her.)

Hansel:

What are you doing, Gretel? (Hansel takes the axe from Gretel)



You can’t do it. Leave it to me. (Hansel tries but he can’t cope either).

Father:

Kids, don’t fight! This axe is very old and can’t cut very well.

(Gretel starts combing her monkey toy with a comb while Hansel plays the flute. Hansel takes the comb from Gretel’s hands and starts to run off. Gretel runs after him.)

Gretel:

Hansel! Give me the comb!

Father:

Come on Hansel! Give the comb to your sister.

3

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Hansel gives Gretel the comb, but sticks his tongue out at her.

Hansel:

Daddy, I’m hungry!

Gretel:

I’m hungry too.

Father:

(Takes out a piece of bread from his pocket, gives it to Hansel, who puts it in his pocket.) I’ve only got this little piece of bread. You two stay here. I’m going to the village now, to sell this wood and buy something to eat. Be good! (The father leaves the scene)

Hansel and Gretel get ready to leave quickly, when suddenly their father enters.

Father:

But...Where are you going?

Hansel and Gretel:

Sorry!

Father:

(Trying to scare them so as to warn them) In the woods there are wolves, witches, ghosts and monsters.

Hansel and Gretel:

OK, daddy.

(Father leaves the scene)

(SONG 1 : “DON’T GO INTO THE WOODS”)

Don’t Go Into the Woods

Don’t go into the forest Don’t go into the woods Dangerous things Dangerous things ghost and witches you will see Let’s go into the forest Let’s go into the woods Dangerous things

4

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Dangerous things ghost and witches you will see What do ghosts do? Ghosts do uuuuhhhh!!! What do witches do? witches do hee, hee; he!!! What do wolves do? wolves do auuuuuu!!! What do monsters do? Monsters do aaarrrggg!!!

Hansel:

Why don’t we go into the woods?

Gretel:

No. Daddy said not to.

Hansel:

You’re frightened.

Gretel:

No, I am not frightened. We could get lost.

Hansel:

Ha! I am going. (Hansel starts walking, but Gretel stops him for a moment).

Gretel:

OK. I have an idea. We will drop bread crumbs all along the path so that we can find our way back home.

(Hansel makes bread crumbs as he leaves them along the path, counting numbers together with the audience.)

Second Scene IN THE WOODS

A rabbit enters the scene, eating the bread crumbs without Hansel or Gretel noticing. The rabbit leaves. Hansel and Gretel get to the woods, which are full of trees. There’s a notice saying: “Beware: Magic Woods”, which Hansel and Gretel don’t see. The trees move. Hansel and Gretel are a bit scared. Sounds of animals, wild creatures are heard... Suddenly Hansel gets his foot caught in a rabbit trap.

5

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Hansel:

Heeeelp, Gretel help meee!

(Gretel approaches Hansel and tries to free his foot with no luck. She gets a stone and still can’t, then goes off to get a branch, but after trying it, it breaks)

Hansel:

Quickly Gretel, pleeeease!

(The rabbit enters, eating the bread crumbs).

Hansel:

Heeelp! Help me please! Can anybody help me pleeease!

Rabbit:

I will help you. I’m an expert in rabbit traps (The rabbit liberates Hansel.)

Hansel:

Thank you very much.

Rabbit:

My name is Willy, and what are your names?

Gretel:

My name is Gretel, he is Hansel, and (pointing to her monkey toy) this is Barnie, my best friend.

Rabbit:

(Addressing the monkey toy) Hello Barnie, give me five!!

Gretel:

(Addressing the rabbit) Look at what Barnie can do. (Gretel makes he monkey toy do a somersault, ending on her shoulders).

Rabbit:

Wow. It’s amazing. Amaaazing. (the kids will identify with what a teacher on the TV programme ‘Fame’ used to say)

Hansel:

(Addressing the rabbit) Ha! that’s nothing. Look at this, Willy. (Hansel starts playing the flute. Hansel dances with the rabbit).

Rabbit:

Well done Hansel! (Applauds)

The children play with the rabbit inside the woods, and as it gets dark, you can hear crickets

Rabbit:

It’s getting dark.

Gretel:

Oh, Yes! It’s already dark, it’s night! We’ve got to go home. Bye-bye, Willy.

Rabbit:

Bye-bye kids. See you soon!

(The rabbit exits. Hansel looks for the bread crumbs, but can’t find them).

6

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Hansel:

Hey! (addressing Gretel) Where are the bread crumbs? Have you eaten them?

Gretel:

No!

(We can hear a wolf howling, and Gretel starts to cry while tightly clutching her monkey toy)

Hansel:

Ha! I am not afraid.

(We can hear a monstrous roar. Hansel gets scared and takes hold of his sister. Hansel and Gretel curl up under a tree and go to sleep. A full moon rises and a witch appears flying on her broom. The children can’t see her because they’re sleeping, and she laughs. She appears stealthily and with a spell creates a house made of chocolate and sweets).

THIRD SCENE OUTSIDE THE LITTLE CHOCOLATE HOUSE (Hansel and Gretel are asleep on one side of the wood. The sun rises and they wake up. A crow appears and the children follow it to the chocolate house).

Hansel:

(Hansel realises that the house is made out of sweets, takes a piece and eats it).



Look Gretel! A little house made of chocolate. Hurry, come on! It’s great, you can eat it!

Gretel:

Look! Lollypops, chocolate, sweets...Uhm! Delicious!

(Full of joy, they sing a song) 2nd SONG -THE LITTLE CHOCOLATE HOUSE

The Little Chocolate House

What’s this? What’s this? Hidden with the trees? What’s this? What’s this?

7

HANSEL AND GRETEL

A big chocolate piece Toffes on the roof Lollipops on the door Candys on the windows Sugar on the floor Toffes, lollipops Hummm!!! Delicious!!!

(The song finishes and the entrance doors open. Hansel and Gretel hide. An old lady -the witchappears with a stick).

Witch:

(She looks at the house and realises that someone has eaten bits of it, and starts searching for the ‘eaters’.). Eat, eat, little mouse, who is eating my house?

(Nibble, nibble, little mouse.Who is nibbling at my house?).

Hansel and Gretel: (Whilst hiding, they try to confuse her, saying:) It’s the wind, the wind...(Hansel plays the flute as if it were the wind...)

(The witch keeps searching until she finds them).

Witch:

Oh! Two gorgeous little kids. Hello children, how are you? Do you like chocolate? Come in, it’s nice and warm inside and I will give you something to eat.

(The witch enters the house and Gretel gets hold of Hansel so that he doesn’t go in)

Gretel:

Don’t go into the house Hansel, she might be a witch.

Hansel:

Don’t be silly!

Witch:

(From inside the house...) Here you are, a bit of milk and some biscuits. I’ve cooked them myself.

Hansel and Gretel:

8

(They look at each other and go in). Thank you madam.

HANSEL AND GRETEL

FOURTH SCENE INSIDE THE HOUSE

(Hansel and Gretel eat frantically.)

Witch:

What’s your name?

Hansel:

My name is Hansel.

Gretel:

My name is Gretel, and this is Barnie (referring to her monkey toy), and he is my best friend.

Witch:

Oh! how lovely. My best friend is also an animal. (Getting closer to the cage with a crow and addressing him). Hello Gargamel, say hello to the children.

Crow:

Hello, my name is Gargamel, my name is Gargamel, and yours? My name is Gargamel, and yours?

Witch:

(Shouting) Stop it, you silly bird! Quiet! (The witch covers the crow with a cloth so that it shuts up. She realises the kids are watching her, and tries to look like a sweet old lady again).



You see, sometimes he is a pain in the neck.

Hansel:

(He sees an axe hanging on the wall) Oh, what a beautiful axe! My Daddy is a woodcutter, but his axe is very old.

Witch:

Be careful Hansel, it is a very speeecial axe, that cuts veeery well, ha, ha, ha!

Gretel:

(Addressing the witch) What do you use it for?

Witch:

To cuut, cuuuut (threatening the children) ...wood for the fire.

Hansel:

Ah! Of course.

Gretel:

Thank you for everything madam, we must go now.

Witch:

But, but the woods at night are veeeery dangerous, there are wolves, and monsters... here you can sleep next to the fire, you’ll be nice and waaaaarm.

(The kids look at each other and decide to stay) (Hansel and Gretel go to sleep beside the fire. The witch takes out the big pot and starts to prepare a magic potion, including spiders, lizards...)

9

HANSEL AND GRETEL

SONG 3- SONG OF THE WITCH

The Witch’s Song I am an old lady With a pointed hat I’ve got a long nose And I am really, really bad I fly on my broomstick I fly up and up I’ll go to your door And “ra-pa-ta-pa-tap” I am the witch And I am really, really bad Yellow snakes Hair and teeth Black spiders And some tricks

Gretel wakes up and observes the old woman, realises she is a witch, and wakes Hansel up.

Gretel:

(Quietly:) Hansel, wake up. The old lady is a witch! (Hansel doesn’t pay any attention and continues sleeping)

The witch turns and sees Hansel awake.

Witch:

Hello dear, are you hungry? I am preparing a nice soup.

Hansel:

No thank you.

Witch:

Why don’t you help me and bring me some herbs for the soup from down there?

(The old lady points to a hollow. It is really a cage concealed by a cloth. Hansel gets in. The witch removes the tablecloth, closes the door behind him and Hansel is trapped!)

10

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Hansel:

(Shouting) Heeelp Gretel!

Gretel tries to escape, but the witch gets hold of her monkey toy, and puts it next to the fire.

Witch:

If you go, I will throw your monkey toy into the fire!

Gretel:

No! (Gretel moves towards the monkey toy and hugs it)

Witch:

Very well (the witch casts a spell on Gretel): Not left, not right, you will stay still... that’s RIGHT. Ha ha ha!

(She moves towards the cage where Hansel is)



Hansel let me touch your finger. (Hansel stretches his finger out of the cage). Oh dear, you’re very thin! Gretel, let’s give your brother some food so that he gets nice and fat. (The witch hands Hansel a plate full of food)

Witch: (She goes to the cage) Hansel, have you eaten everything? Let me touch your finger. Hansel: Yes madam. (Hansel allows her to touch.... a bone left over form the chicken he’s been given) Witch: (To Gretel) Now with this spell, you will always do what I want

you to do.

“Turn around three tiiimes, and then you will be miiine.” (The witch turns Gretel round three times, and starts giving her orders, and Gretel does everything that she says like a robot) Wash the dishes, sweep the floor, wipe the table. Wash the clothes. Cook. Clean the windows. Hang the clothes up. Dust. Iron the clothes. Give more food to your brother). Witch: Gretel give your brother more food.

(Gretel brings him another dish of food)

Witch: (Sigh) Oh , I am so tiiired (Tired) of watching you work! Gretel, you can now sleep on the floor. (The witch sits on a chair, yawns and falls asleep)

Hansel: (To Gretel:) Psssst! (Talking quietly so as to not wake up the witch) Hey! Gretel. Quick, get the axe. (Gretel walks like a zombie, looks at Hansel, but she doesn’t react to him because she’s under the power of the spell)

11

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Hansel:

Please, Gretel! Get me out of here! (She doesn’t react). Gretel Please! I am your brother, don’t you remember? (Hansel cries, dries his tears and plays his flute wanting for a reaction from Gretel, but Gretel doesn’t react).



Please Gretel, I love you. (As Hansel plays the flute this time, the spell disappears and Gretel wakes up).

Gretel:

What did you say?

Hansel:

(Crying) That I love you very much.



(Gretel moves stealthily and takes the axe, then tries to hit the lock like her father had taught her, but isn’t able to do so)



Crow:

Crooooooooaaaaaaack!

(The witch wakes up, and Gretel acts as if she were still under the spell).

Witch:

Gretel I am hungry, please bring me some biscuits.

Gretel:

Yes my lady.



(Gretel acts like a zombie and takes the biscuits to the witch, who eats them. The witch approaches Hansel’s cage).

Witch:

Hansel, show me your finger. (Hansel sticks a chicken bone through the cage bars).



Damn it! You’re still very thin.

Witch:

(To Gretel) Gretel, bring me the big pan. (Gretel brings it). Gretel, bring my book of spells. (Gretel brings the book). Gretel, bring me the wooden spoon. (Gretel does). Very good girl, good girl hee hee hee. (the witch taps her on the shoulder)

(SONG 3 “THE WITCH’S SONG”)

(Part of the song the witch sang in scene 4 will be repeated here. Gretel tries again and again to grasp the axe to open the cage, which is covered by the cloth). (The witch keeps on singing and adding the ingredients to the pot. While the witch is preparing this, Gretel slowly and gradually removes the cloth from the table. The Crow tries to warn the witch).

12

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Crow:

Witch!

Witch:

Be quiet! Can’t you see I’m busy? (The witch adds the last ingredients).



Great! The soup for cooking your brother is ready! Ha, ha, ha...(Gretel puts the cloth over the witch’s head).

Witch:

I can’t see anything, heeelp!

Hansel:

Quickly Gretel! Open the cage with the axe!

Gretel:

(Gretel manages to open the cage with the axe and puts the monkey toy in it).

Hansel:

What are you doing?

Gretel:

Quick, put your cap on the monkey’s head. The witch will think it’s you!

Hansel:

OK! (Gretel opens the cage, and Hansel comes out. They put the monkey in with Hansel’s cap on. Hansel and Gretel hide in the house. The witch finally manages to take the cloth off)

Witch:

Stupid kids! Now I will eat Hansel! (She moves towards the cage, and sees Hansel is still). Hansel! Come out of the cage. Immediately! (Since Hansel doesn’t move, the witch enters the cage, and then the children come out and push her in, close the cage, and the witch is trapped inside).

Witch:

Get me out of here! Heeelp!

Crow:

Heeelp!

Gretel:

Quickly, Hansel.



(Hansel stops when he gets to the door and returns to get the axe).

Hansel:

For daddy.

Gretel:

Good idea!



(they leave and go into the woods).

FIFTH SCENE THE WOODS - OUTSIDE THE CHOCOLATE HOUSE

Hansel:

Thank you Gretel! (Hansel gives his sister a kiss and hugs her). I’m very sorry you lost Barnie. (Hansel gives his flute to Gretel).

Gretel:

No Hansel, it’s yours. (Gretel gives it back to him and hugs him back). I love you!

Hansel:

We’re lost again. (Hansel plays a sad tune with his flute)

13

HANSEL AND GRETEL

(Hansel and Gretel’s father enters, looking for the kids.)

Father:

Hansel, Gretel, where are you? (He sees them, runs towards them and hugs them). Dear children! Are you all right?

Hansel and Gretel:

Daddy! (They hug one another)

Hansel:

Here, daddy, here you are. A new axe!! (Hansel gives his father the axe).

Father:

Thank you kids, it’s wonderful! (He tries the axe on a big trunk and cuts it in half in one go).

Father:

Gretel, but where is your monkey toy?

Gretel:

I don’t need him any more, my brother is my best friend now. (Gretel hugs Hansel once more)

(SONG 4: “MY BEST FRIEND”) My Best Friend

Me... and my friend We like to play And we play together Everyday Me.... and my friend We like to sing And we sing together Everyday You are my friend You are my best friend You make me happy Everyday

14

Santa Leonor, 61 • Planta 4ª • 28037 Madrid • Tel. 902 879 906 • Fax 902 879 907 • www.recursosweb.com • [email protected]