This one-act condensation of the original three-act dramatization by I. E. Clark retains the fright, the fun, and the fantasy of the fairy tale written in Germany very early in the 1800's by the Brothers Grimm. Also, it gives members of your audience an opportunity to participate. They'll love it. It may be done with or without music. This shortened version was made in response to requests for a Hansel and Gretel short enough for use in one-act play contests, workshops, classroom demonstrations, club meetings, and other situations in which the full-length play could not be used. It is also just right for showing to very young children who find it difficult to sit through a long play.

Like the long version, this cutting provides the opportunity to include European folk dances and folk songs, giving your presentation the added value of acquainting your audiences with these important aspects of our American melting-pot heritage. The dances and songs may be minimized—or eliminated entirely, leaving a straight fairy-tale play.

The Director's Script for the three-act version will be helpful in mounting this condensation on your stage. It provides full details regarding the German words, dances, songs, costumes, etc. A piano/vocal score, a video tape, and a sound effects/music tape are also available.

Suggestions for Staging: In keeping with the traditional German love of food, it is suggested that Hansel, Papa, and Stiefmutter be rather plump—especially Papa, who might even be roly-poly. Hansel and Gretel should be portrayed as children of six to 10 years of age. The German dialect used by Hansel and Papa should not be so authentic that the audience can't understand what they are saying; in fact, no dialect at all needs to be used since the sentence structure and speech rhythm used in this script give sufficient hint of the dialect. All German words may easily be omitted, too, by translating them into English (the translation is given in the script and in the Director's Script). However, it is our feeling that the German words add to the fun of performing—and watching—the play and should be used even if the pronunciation is not completely accurate.

Clark's children's stories: Pandora and the Magic Box, Twelve Dancing Princesses

See also: Audience-Participation Plays; Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables