While the birthday girl sleeps, the toys around her cake come alive
and act out Andersen's fairy tale about the handicapped tin soldier who loved a dancing paper doll.
Herman Ammann's unique ability to instill his characters with traits that make us think of our
friends (and a few enemies) gives us a Phi Beta Kappa egghead named Humpty Dumpty, a slob
of a shoe salesman named Prince Charming, a dyspeptic jack-in-the-box who hides when things get
unpleasant, and a monkey who "likes to monkey around with the pretty girls." A children's play
that charms audiences and delights actors of every age.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," was the foundation upon which
this original play was built. Those familiar with the fairy tale will remember
that the original Tin Soldier had only one leg and that he and his dancing doll (she was made of
paper) had a tragic ending in a fire.
This play adds not only a happy ending but several new characters (including some old friends from
other fairy tales) and a timely message. In the fairy tale the Tin Soldier is melted into a lump
resembling a heart; in this play the soldier grows a heart—which, as in the fairy tale, turns
out to be the secret of his steadfastness.
Whether played by adults for children, or by children for adults—or by children for other
children—The Steadfast Tin Soldier has that particular charm which alights only in the
world of make-believe: the personification of our suspicions that "there are more things in heaven
and earth than are dreamed of" in our sometimes drab world of reality.
Simple costumes and a simple set, with a bit of music here and there—and a dab of special
lighting if available—can bring out the magic of this charming play. The script itself will
suggest many of these technical features. The busy director, however, will find the Director's Script
to be a delightful aid in staging. A Director's Script (prompt book) contains drawings of costumes and
set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization and plot and theme;
and it suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movement and business.
One act; Simple set; fairyland costumes.
Ammann's other fantasyland plays include The Magic Well,
A Canterbury Tale from the Wife of Bath, The
Little Match Girl (1-act), A Ghost for Rosanda,
The Little Troll Without a Soul
"I do love your plays!"—Huntsville, Alabama.