A bright, crisp, well-tailored dramatization of the Andersen tale. Snip and Tuck, two swindlers posing as tailors, weave a jolly trick on Emperor Velvet, who is willing to sacrifice castle, friends—even his Empress Velveteen and their children, Prince Terry Cloth and Princess Polly Ester—to buy the most luxurious new clothes available. The "tailors" pull the wool over everybody's eyes until a homespun boy has the courage to speak the unadorned truth, and all the fools are uncovered at last—and the swindlers are turned over to Shroud, keeper of the (shh-whisper) dungeon. The cleverly patterned characters and silky smooth plot will keep your audiences in stitches.

Sharon Cole has brought the characters to life with strong but humorous personalities that your cast members will love playing. Every role is a gem. Many of the roles can be played by males or females. The "children" may be played by children or by adults acting like children. Since this is farce and fantasy, size does not matter; a towering hulk of a boy may be hilarious as the little prince playing with his Teddy Bear.

This version of The Emperor's New Clothes is suitable for all groups and all ages. The play is divided into seven scenes, but action is continuous without a break, so the play can be presented as a one-act or full-length play.

Premiered by the Summer Repertory Theatre, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. "Presented on an open bed truck for benefit of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon!"—Bill Van Horn, Millville, Pa.

See also: Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables