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Overview
Synopsis
Hansel and Gretel live with their mother and father in the woods. Their idyllic existence is shattered by famine and desperation, and the family must fight to survive. Heading off into the forest, Hansel and Gretel resolve to find food and a better future. However, they soon come face to face with a mysterious stranger who threatens to cut short their young lives. This modern retelling of the classic fairytale presents a terrifyingly entertaining world of darkness, poetry, puppetry and technical gadgets. The siblings must fight to escape the clutches of the hideous witch, with the assistance of her long-suffering Birdy. Hansel and Gretel find themselves in a world that is mouth-wateringly sweet, but never sugary.
Editor’s Note: This is a play with music. The supporting cast play multiple roles in the play and must be adept at puppetry.
Show Information
- Book
- Carl Grose
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2009
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Fantasy/Imaginary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- The forest
- Cast Size
- medium
- Dancing
- Optional
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA)/Children's, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Hansel and Gretel was written by Carl Grose for Kneehigh Theatre Company, Britain’s award-winning, innovative touring company. Grose also performed in the original production, playing the roles of Father and The Witch. The original production was staged at Bristol Old Vic in December 2009, before being revived at Warwick Arts Centre and the QEH Theatre on London’s South Bank in 2010.
Hansel and Gretel is a play with music, and incorporates the use of innovative puppetry and technical
to read the context for Hansel and Gretel and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
As the play opens, the two rabbits (who are actor-operated puppets) appear to introduce Hansel and Gretel. Hansel is reading from his encyclopedia, while Gretel has just devised a new contraption to make their life in the woodlands easier. The twins are joined by their happy-go-lucky mother and father. Mother teaches Gretel how to make a rabbit pie, while Father instructs Hansel on the art of tree felling and wood chopping. Mother brings out their chickens, Diane and Maureen, to
to read the plot for Hansel and Gretel and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher