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Hansel and Gretel: The Untold Story
A children's play
By Karl B. Peterson
Copyright 2006
Karl B. Peterson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form except for the
inclusion of brief quotations in review, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.
All plays are protected by copyright laws and conventions. It is an infringement of copyright
law to give a performance or reading of any such play or excerpt without prior consent
through PlaysForStage.com. Any performance or reading of the play for an audience
whether the audience pays admission or not, is considered a performance and requires
royalties be paid for that performance.
Cast
Papa, Hansel and Gretel’s kind father, and a wood-cutter.
Mama, Hansel and Gretel’s mean and selfish mother.
Hansel, nice and a little younger than Gretel.
Gretel, nice and has a good head on her shoulders.
Witch, evil and cannot see very well.
Papa Bear, frustrated by his child.
Mama Bear, the peace-keeper in the family.
Baby Bear, a lazy child.
Goldilocks, broke into the Bears’ house.
Snow White, out for a nice walk with the hunter.
Hunter, supposed to kill Snow White.
Little Red Riding Hood, a tough little girl.
Wolf, tried to trick Little Red Riding Hood.
Prince Charming, a vain man looking for the woman of his dreams.
Guard, in charge of the glass slipper.
Three Ladies in Waiting, accompany the queen.
A Flock of Crows, eat the bread crumbs.
A WHITE BIRD, a friend and helper to Hansel and Gretel.
The set consists of three locations: the interior of Hansel and Gretel’s house, the forest, and the
interior of the witch’s candy house. The three locations can be done quickly and economically.
The two interiors can be done by just adding a cage for Hansel when it is the witch’s house and
removing it or turning it around to show a plain wall when it is Hansel and Gretel’s house. The
forest can be done in front of the curtain if you have one or could be done in front of the house
set or even on the floor in front of the stage. You can even do it on the floor in front of the stage.
The main thing to remember is to make the scene changes quick so you will maintain the interest
of the audience.
Scenes with sound effects
1 Hansel and Gretel’s house-trumpet fanfare,
bell tower tolling.
2 Deep in the Forest with an exterior of the the witche’s candy house to be slid out from the side
or revealed by partially opening the curtain.
3 In the Witch’s house-scene changing music.
4 Hansel and Gretel’s house.
5 In the Witch’s house.
6 In the forest
7 In the Witch’s house.
8 Deep in the Forest.
9 In the Witch’s house.
10 Hansel and Gretel’s house.
SCENE 1
HANSEL AND GRETEL’S HOUSE
(PAPA sets down a vase of flowers on the table to finish a nicely prepared breakfast for his
family. He smiles at the kind thing he has done for his family and picks up his ax, crosses to stage
left, and is about to leave when MAMA enters from stage right as she gives a big yawn.)
PAPA: Good morning, my sweet wife!
MAMA: Don’t talk to me until I get my hot chocolate.
PAPA: Well, I’m going to chop wood now.
MAMA: Bye.
PAPA: I made a big breakfast for you and the kids.
MAMA: Oh, you shouldn’t have!
PAPA: Nothing is too good for my family!
MAMA: It looks delicious! (She tastes it.) Oh, that’s good!
PAPA: Be sure to leave some for Hansel and Gretel.
MAMA: (Sits at the table.) Who?
PAPA: Our children?
MAMA: Oh, them.
PAPA: (Crossing to center.) Good bye, now. Do I get a kiss?
MAMA: Sure. (She blows him a kiss with very little enthusiasm.)
PAPA: Yes, well. Bye.
(PAPA exits stage left to go to work. MAMA looks at the other two plates meant for HANSEL
and GRETEL and pours their food onto her plate.)
MAMA: (Calling down the hall.) Hansel! Gretel! It’s time to get up! It’s almost time for breakfast!
GRETEL: Coming, Mama!
MAMA: Hansel!
HANSEL: I’m coming!
MAMA: Hurry! There’s apple strudel and sausages! Also, I’ve got eggs and fresh milk!
(Enter HANSEL and GRETEL from stage right. They come around MAMA to the other side of
the table.)
GRETEL: I can’t wait to . . . where’s our food?
MAMA: You haven’t made it yet.
HANSEL: You just said there was apple strudel
GRETEL: And sausages.
HANSEL: And eggs.
MAMA: And fresh milk! But it is all for me.
GRETEL: Don’t we get some?
MAMA: (Copying her.) Don’t we get some! Always thinking of yourselves! Now get cooking and
make some more!
GRETEL: We don’t have time to cook breakfast and eat it.
MAMA: I know that! I’m still hungry, so cook me some more and I’ll eat it while you two are at
school.
HANSEL: But—
MAMA: Don’t whine! I hate whining. I can’t take any of your complaining. (In a high voice
mimicking them.) I’m hungry. I’m thirsty. I need a blanket. I don’t want to sleep outside in
snow! I haven’t eaten in days! (Back to her own voice.) I can’t wait for each morning when you
leave!
GRETEL: Where’s Papa?
MAMA: He’s out cutting wood to sell. He has to work hard to make enough money to make me
happy.
(We hear a trumpet fanfare. MAMA stands and she with HANSEL and GRETEL cross over to
stage left to look out onto the street.)
HANSEL: Who could that be?
GRETEL: (Looking out the window left.) There’s several soldiers and a very handsome man on a
white horse!
MAMA: That looks like Prince Charming! Wait! A beautiful gold carriage is stopping too! Several
very beautiful women are stepping out of it. Is that Queen Wattle E. Otcha?
(A knock on the door left.)
HANSEL: (Crossing off to the door.) I’ll get it.
MAMA: Hello, handsome!
(MAMA opens the door. Enter the GUARD who is carrying a very richly decorated shoebox.)
GUARD: His highness, Prince Charming!
PRINCE CHARMING: (Entering from left and crossing past the GUARD.) Hello, lowly,
undeserving subjects!
MAMA: Your Highness!
GRETEL: Are you Prince Charming?
PRINCE CHARMING: Why yes I am. Do you know why my mother named me “Prince
Charming”?
MAMA: No, why?
PRINCE CHARMING: Because she thought “Prince Incredibly Good-Looking” was too hard to
spell! (He laughs at his own joke.) But seriously, I have come here on important business. I am
looking for a young lady.
GRETEL: I’m young!
MAMA: I’m a lady! (HANSEL and GRETEL start to chuckle.) And not a peep out of you two!
PRINCE CHARMING: I don’t mean just any young lady. I’m looking for a certain young lady that
came to my party last night.
MAMA: What did she look like?
PRINCE CHARMING: She was . . . Wow! And her dress was like . . . Whoa!
HANSEL: What else do you remember about her?
PRINCE CHARMING: She was a great dancer. And her face she . . Okay, I didn’t have my
glasses on. When I wear my glasses I don’t look quite so, so charming. But one thing I do know
is that she left a glass slipper. The girl whose foot fits in the slipper will be my wife and will live
with me in the castle forever! She will have servants to do every single thing for her for the rest
of her life!
MAMA: Pick me! Pick me!
PRINCE CHARMING: You’re foot must fit the shoe! (Both MAMA and GRETEL take off their
shoes and hold out their feet. HANSEL walks over to watch them.) Hand me the glass slipper.
(The GUARD hands him the shoebox. PRINCE CHARMING takes it and holds it for a second.
Suspicious, he shakes the box. We can hear broken glass bouncing around in the box.) You
dropped it didn’t you? (The GUARD bows his head.) Boy, are you in trouble! (The GUARD
crosses right, sits at the table, and starts eating MAMA’S breakfast.).) Well, I guess I’ll have to
find my princess some other way.
(He crosses to stage left..Enter the LADIES IN WAITING from stage left. They make a line
facing the audience.)
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Her majesty!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Royal Leader of the Empire!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Highest Royalty of the Commonwealth!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: The Supreme Leader of All She Surveys!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Exalted Queen of Everything Good!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Guiding Light to All Who Behold Her!
ALL LADIES IN WAITING: Queen Wattle E. Otcha!
(The LADIES IN WAITING start singing and doing the hand movements to “Wattle-E-Otcha,
Wattle-E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do.” Enter the QUEEN. )
QUEEN: (Saying the following line as she crosses center.) Oh, please stand! There is no need for
kneeling! (To the LADIES IN WAITING.) Why aren’t they kneeling? Make them kneel right now!
Let’s try that again.
(The QUEEN exits out the door.)
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Kneel down right now!
MAMA: Why?
2ND LADY IN WAITING: Because she’s the queen!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: And she’ll chop off your head if you don’t!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: And lock you up in prison!
MAMA: After I’m dead?
2ND LADY IN WAITING: Yes. And then she’ll have you cut you into little pieces!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: And feed you to her the royal gold fish!
MAMA: Yuck!
(The family kneels.)
PRINCE CHARMING: (At the door.) Mummy! They are ready!
QUEEN: (Peeking her head through the door.) It’s about time! People just don’t know their
places! They stand around like they are my equal!
PRINCE CHARMING: No one is your equal, Mummy.
QUEEN: I know that! After all, I am the queen! How many queens are around here?
PRINCE CHARMING: Just one, Mummy. You are the Queen and there aren’t any others.
QUEEN: And don’t you forget it!
PRINCE CHARMING: No, Mummy.
QUEEN: Now I’m coming to come back in. Make sure everyone does everything right this time!
PRINCE CHARMING: Yes, Mummy.
(She exits back outside.)
PRINCE CHARMING: Ladies, you can start now.
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Her majesty!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Royal Leader of the Empire!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Highest Royalty of the Commonwealth!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: The Supreme Leader of All She Surveys!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Exalted Queen of Everything Good!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Guiding Light to All Who Behold Her!
LADIES IN WAITING: Queen Wattle E. Otcha!
(The LADIES IN WAITING sing again and do the hand movements to “Wattle-E-Otcha, Wattle-
E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do.” The QUEEN enters.)
QUEEN: Oh, please! There’s no need to kneel! Please get up! You are such sweet subjects!
MAMA: (Running over to the QUEEN) Oh, Your Majesty! It is such an honor to meet you!
QUEEN: It is, isn’t it!
MAMA: I have always wanted to shake your hand! (She takes the QUEEN’s hand.)
QUEEN: (Panic-stricken.) AHHHH! She touched me! Quick! Clean my hand!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Yes, Your Majesty! (The LADIES IN WAITING quickly produce
towels and a spray bottle and clean off her hand.)
QUEEN: Oh, that is better. (To MAMA, sweetly.) I know you are just a lowly peasant and
therefore you are not capable of learning much, but I must tell you that if you touch me again I
will have you killed. Is that understood?
MAMA: (Taking a step back.) Yes. I won’t do it again.
QUEEN: That’s a good peasant. (To PRINCE CHARMING.) Did the slipper fit any of them?
PRINCE CHARMING: No, Mummy.
QUEEN: That’s a relief! Are you really set on marrying the person who fits the slipper?
PRINCE CHARMING: Oh yes, Mummy. She was . . . Wow! And her dress was like . . . Whoa!
QUEEN: Yes, you told me that before. But these subjects are so . . . filthy.
PRINCE CHARMING: They aren’t that bad.
QUEEN: I guess you could get used to them if they were properly . . . disinfected.
PRINCE CHARMING: Besides, I want to find someone who will want to marry me. Where will I
find a woman like that?
(MAMA, GRETEL and the LAIDIES IN WAITING all raise their hands and start saying “Ooh!
Ooh!”)
PRINCE CHARMING: It’s the girl whose foot fits the slipper or I’ll stay single forever.
QUEEN: Where’s the slipper now?
PRINCE CHARMING: Well, we had some problems with that.
QUEEN: What?
PRINCE CHARMING: The guard dropped it.
QUEEN: Then why am I standing around in this dump instead of in the castle? I’m leaving this
instant!
(The QUEEN exits out the door left followed by her LADIES IN WAITING singing “Wattle-E-
Otcha, Wattle-E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do” as they leave.)
QUEEN: (Offstage.) Charming get out of there before you catch something!
PRINCE CHARMING: Well. . . Bye! (Prince Charming exits out the door as the guards stand up.)
GUARD: Thanks for the breakfast. (He exits left.)
MAMA: Thanks for?
GRETEL: What breakfast?
MAMA: (Crossing to the table and holding up an empty plate.) MY breakfast! He ate my breakfast!
(We hear a loud bell tolling.)
MAMA: It’s almost time for school!
HANSEL: But don’t we get any breakfast?
MAMA: The guard ate it all!
GRETEL: But I’m starving!
HANSEL: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
GRETEL: Can’t I take a granola bar?
MAMA: Stop complaining and get going! You have a long walk through the deep, dark dangerous
forest to get to school.
HANSEL and GRETEL: But Ma!
MAMA: What’s the punishment for being tardy?
GRETEL: No, not the rack!
(HANSEL and GRETEL hurriedly exit out the door left.)
MAMA: (Calling out the door.) See you after school!
SCENE 2
DEEP IN THE FOREST
(The forest is dark and foreboding with tall trees. HANSEL and GRETEL enter from stage left
looking around at the strange and unknown place. They stop at down left center.)
GRETEL: I think we took a wrong turn somewhere! This doesn’t look like the way to school!
HANSEL: It sure is dark and scary!
(Enter SNOW WHITE and the HUNTER from stage right.)
GRETEL: Look, some people are coming!
HANSEL: Hey! Over here!
SNOW WHITE: What? I think I see some children over there!
HUNTER: It’s just your imagination.
SNOW WHITE: (Crossing left.) No, let’s go talk to them.
HUNTER: Wait!
SNOW WHITE: Hello there. I’m Snow White and this is the Hunter.
HUNTER: Hello.
GRETEL: We’re so glad you came! We’re lost in the forest!
HANSEL: Can you help us?
SNOW WHITE: Of course we can!
HUNTER: (Crossing to SNOW WHITE.) No, we can’t.
SNOW WHITE: What are you talking about? We’re just out on a little hunting trip alone.
GRETEL: Where’s your bow and arrow?
SNOW WHITE: It’s a . . . Where IS your bow and arrow?
HUNTER: Uh, I forgot it.
SNOW WHITE: (Starting right.) We can go back to the castle and get it.
HUNTER: (Grabbing her arm to stop her and pulling her back.) NOOO! I mean no, I don’t think
we should do that. The queen was very clear we shouldn’t come back to the castle.
SNOW WHITE: Well we have to go home sometime!
HUNTER: No, WE don’t.
SNOW WHITE: What are you talking about?
HUNTER: (He takes her arm and pulls her a few steps right.) Let’s just keep walking. We still
have go hunting.
SNOW WHITE: With what? You don’t have a bow and arrow.
HUNTER: I do have a great big knife!
SNOW WHITE: I guess that will work. Bye, bye!
GRETEL: But aren’t you going to help us?
SNOW WHITE: Well if you are still here when we come back, we’ll take you home. Cross my
heart hope to die. Bye now!
(SNOW WHITE and the HUNTER exit right.)
HANSEL: Wait!
GRETEL: Shush! I think I see some animals! Quick! Get behind the tree!
(They hide. Enter PAPA BEAR, MOMA BEAR, and BABY BEAR from right.)
BABY BEAR: Are we there yet?
MAMA BEAR: We’ll be home in no time.
BABY BEAR: I’m hungry!
(They stop down center.)
MAMA BEAR: I’ve got some porridge cooling off for you. When we get home it will be juuuuust
right!
BABY BEAR: My feet are tired! Why do we need to go on a walk? Why can’t I just stay home?
MAMA BEAR: Look at the pretty trees!
BABY BEAR: Brown bark and green on top, right? If you’ve seen one tree, you’ve seen them all.
PAPA BEAR: Don’t talk that way to your mother!
BABY BEAR: I just want to go home and play video games.
MAMA BEAR: Don’t you want some exercise?
BABY BEAR: I don’t like exercise. I want to play my Xbox!
PAPA BEAR: Would you get her under control?
MAMA BEAR: She’s just being a child.
PAPA BEAR: Grrrrrr! I can’t wait until we all hibernate!
(The BEARS exit left. Enter LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD from stage right and enter the BIG,
BAD WOLF from stage left.)
BIG, BAD WOLF: What are you doing little girl?
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: I’m Little Red Riding Hood and I’m going to my grandma’s house?
BIG, BAD WOLF: Is your grandmother delicious—I mean is she a nice grandma?
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: Very nice.
BIG, BAD WOLF: What’s in the basket?
(The WOLF reaches in. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD slaps his hand.)
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: Keep your paws out of there! That’s for my grandma!
BIG, BAD WOLF: For a little girl you can hit pretty hard!
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: So you better stay on my good side! Well, I’ve got to be going!
See you later!
(Exit LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD stage left.)
BIG, BAD WOLF: She’s going to her grandmother’s house! Well, so am I! And I can get there
way before she does!
(Exit WOLF right.)
GRETEL: I don’t know if we’ll ever get back home!
HANSEL: Don’t worry, Gretel! I’ve been dropping bread crumbs the whole time we’ve been
walking!
GRETEL: You have! That’s great! So all we have to do is follow the bread crumbs home and
everything will be okay!
HANSEL: Let’s go!
(We hear the sound of many CROWS cawing.)
GRETEL: What’s that sound?
HANSEL: Look out!
(Enter from left a large group of CROWS flapping their wings and eating things off of the ground.
They wander around pecking at the ground for a few moments. They then flap their wings and
exit right cawing.)
GRETEL: Now, let’s go.
HANSEL: Yes it’s this way. (They walk a few steps left.) Or is it that way. (They take a few
steps right.) Or is it that way over there? (They take a few steps downstage. Suddenly, HANSEL
bursts into tears.)
GRETEL: What’s a matter, Hansel? Why are you so upset?
HANSEL: (Sobbing.) I can’t find my breadcrumbs!
GRETEL: Why not?
HANSEL: I think the crows ate them!
GRETEL: They what?
HANSEL: I hate those birds!
GRETEL: That’s not a nice thing to say!
HANSEL: We’re lost in the forest and we are going to starve to death and die!
GRETEL: No, we’re not!
HANSEL: Yes, we are! They will only find our bones!
GRETEL: Ew!
HANSEL: They will use us for Halloween decorations!
GRETEL: We have to remain calm! The most important thing to do it remain calm! (Pause.)
Ahhhh! (She bursts into tears also.)
HANSEL: I wish we had something to eat! My blood sugar is really low!
(Enter a WHITE BIRD from stage right.)
HANSEL: Look at the pretty bird!
WHITE BIRD: (A little afraid.) Chirp, chirp?
GRETEL: Don’t be afraid, little bird.
HANSEL: Come here.
WHITE BIRD: Chirp?
GRETEL: We’re lost and we don’t know how to get home.
HANSEL: Can you help us?
WHITE BIRD: (Nodding it’s head.) Chirp! (Motioning for them to follow her stage left.) Chirp!
Chirp!
GRETEL: I think it wants us to follow it.
WHITE BIRD: (Frantic nodding.) Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
HANSEL: What do you think we should do, Gretel?
GRETEL: I think we should go with it.
WHITE BIRD: (Nodding, she crosses to stage left and motions for HANSEL and GRETEL to
follow it.)
HANSEL: Let’s go! (The curtain opens to reveal the candy house of the WITCH. HANSEL and
GRETEL see it and stop.)
HANSEL: Look! What is that over there!
GRETEL: It’s a house! We’ve found civilization!
(The WHITE BIRD runs over and grabs GRETEL’s arm and tries to pull her away from the
house.)
WHITE BIRD: Chirp! Chirp! (HANSEL and GRETEL run over to the house and start knocking on
the door. The WHITE BIRD is frantic, but does not dare to get any closer to the house to help
them.)
GRETEL: Help!
HANSEL: Open the door!
GRETEL: We’re starving!
HANSEL: We haven’t eaten since last night!
GRETEL: We might die any second!
HANSEL: It’s no use! No one is home!
GRETEL: What are we going to do? (She leans back and part of the house breaks off. She holds it
looking around.)
HANSEL: Now you’ve done it. The owner is going to call the police on you!
(She hides the broken piece behind the porch.)
GRETEL: Yuck! My hand is sticky!
HANSEL: Maybe the paint is wet.
GRETEL: (Sticking her fingers in her mouth.) Mmmm! It’s sweet!
HANSEL: Sweet? What are you talking about?
GRETEL: I think the house is made of candy?
HANSEL: Are you nuts? No one builds their house out of candy.
GRETEL: We just saw three talking bears and you think a candy house can’t be real?
HANSEL: I see your point. (He breaks of a piece of the house and starts to eat it.) This is some of
the best tasting siding I have ever tasted!
GRETEL: How many houses have you eaten?
WITCH: (Offstage. Sweetly.) Who is out there? Do I have visitors?
HANSEL: Who is that?
(The WITCH enters from stage right and looks at HANSEL and GRETEL.)
WITCH: Is someone out here? I can’t see too well, but I can smell two little, delicious young
people out here! Come out, come out wherever you are! (She sniffs the air. HANSEL and
GRETEL hide stage left.) I’m getting closer! Come out, little dearies!
WHITE BIRD: (Coming between the WITCH and HANSEL and GRETEL.) Chirp, chirp!
WITCH: I can’t wait to meet you, you little sweeties! Aren’t you hungry? I know I am.
WHITE BIRD: Chirp, chirp, chirp!
WITCH: Get away from me, you crazy bird! (She finds them.) There you are! Oh, how nice!
Two sweet children! (Coming between them and putting her arms around their shoulders.) So
cute and juicy! What are your names, dears?
HANSEL: I’m Hansel.
GRETEL: And I’m Gretel.
WHITE BIRD: (Crossing to the WITCH.) Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
WITCH: Get away, you stupid little bird, before I cook you up and eat you for lunch!
WHITE BIRD: (Complaining and giving up on poor HANSEL and GRETEL. She shakes her head
as she exits left.) Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!
WITCH: Now where were we? Hansel and Gretel! What sweet names! Which one is Hansel. I
can’t see as well as I used to. (HANSEL raises his hand.) How nice! And you must be Gretel!
(Leaning in to see her.) You’re a very cute little girl! So what brings you to my house?
HANSEL: We got lost in the forest.
WITCH: Lost in the forest? So no one knows you’re here?
GRETEL: No.
WITCH: Well isn’t that scrumptious! You two look so yummy!
HANSEL: Do you have anything to eat?
WITCH: So you’re hungry?
GRETEL: Starving.
WITCH: Well, well, well! Maybe I can have you for dinner!
HANSEL: That would be wonderful!
WITCH: Will you come inside?
GRETEL: Thank you.
(They exit stage right.)
A children's play
By Karl B. Peterson
Copyright 2006
Karl B. Peterson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form except for the
inclusion of brief quotations in review, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.
All plays are protected by copyright laws and conventions. It is an infringement of copyright
law to give a performance or reading of any such play or excerpt without prior consent
through PlaysForStage.com. Any performance or reading of the play for an audience
whether the audience pays admission or not, is considered a performance and requires
royalties be paid for that performance.
Cast
Papa, Hansel and Gretel’s kind father, and a wood-cutter.
Mama, Hansel and Gretel’s mean and selfish mother.
Hansel, nice and a little younger than Gretel.
Gretel, nice and has a good head on her shoulders.
Witch, evil and cannot see very well.
Papa Bear, frustrated by his child.
Mama Bear, the peace-keeper in the family.
Baby Bear, a lazy child.
Goldilocks, broke into the Bears’ house.
Snow White, out for a nice walk with the hunter.
Hunter, supposed to kill Snow White.
Little Red Riding Hood, a tough little girl.
Wolf, tried to trick Little Red Riding Hood.
Prince Charming, a vain man looking for the woman of his dreams.
Guard, in charge of the glass slipper.
Three Ladies in Waiting, accompany the queen.
A Flock of Crows, eat the bread crumbs.
A WHITE BIRD, a friend and helper to Hansel and Gretel.
The set consists of three locations: the interior of Hansel and Gretel’s house, the forest, and the
interior of the witch’s candy house. The three locations can be done quickly and economically.
The two interiors can be done by just adding a cage for Hansel when it is the witch’s house and
removing it or turning it around to show a plain wall when it is Hansel and Gretel’s house. The
forest can be done in front of the curtain if you have one or could be done in front of the house
set or even on the floor in front of the stage. You can even do it on the floor in front of the stage.
The main thing to remember is to make the scene changes quick so you will maintain the interest
of the audience.
Scenes with sound effects
1 Hansel and Gretel’s house-trumpet fanfare,
bell tower tolling.
2 Deep in the Forest with an exterior of the the witche’s candy house to be slid out from the side
or revealed by partially opening the curtain.
3 In the Witch’s house-scene changing music.
4 Hansel and Gretel’s house.
5 In the Witch’s house.
6 In the forest
7 In the Witch’s house.
8 Deep in the Forest.
9 In the Witch’s house.
10 Hansel and Gretel’s house.
SCENE 1
HANSEL AND GRETEL’S HOUSE
(PAPA sets down a vase of flowers on the table to finish a nicely prepared breakfast for his
family. He smiles at the kind thing he has done for his family and picks up his ax, crosses to stage
left, and is about to leave when MAMA enters from stage right as she gives a big yawn.)
PAPA: Good morning, my sweet wife!
MAMA: Don’t talk to me until I get my hot chocolate.
PAPA: Well, I’m going to chop wood now.
MAMA: Bye.
PAPA: I made a big breakfast for you and the kids.
MAMA: Oh, you shouldn’t have!
PAPA: Nothing is too good for my family!
MAMA: It looks delicious! (She tastes it.) Oh, that’s good!
PAPA: Be sure to leave some for Hansel and Gretel.
MAMA: (Sits at the table.) Who?
PAPA: Our children?
MAMA: Oh, them.
PAPA: (Crossing to center.) Good bye, now. Do I get a kiss?
MAMA: Sure. (She blows him a kiss with very little enthusiasm.)
PAPA: Yes, well. Bye.
(PAPA exits stage left to go to work. MAMA looks at the other two plates meant for HANSEL
and GRETEL and pours their food onto her plate.)
MAMA: (Calling down the hall.) Hansel! Gretel! It’s time to get up! It’s almost time for breakfast!
GRETEL: Coming, Mama!
MAMA: Hansel!
HANSEL: I’m coming!
MAMA: Hurry! There’s apple strudel and sausages! Also, I’ve got eggs and fresh milk!
(Enter HANSEL and GRETEL from stage right. They come around MAMA to the other side of
the table.)
GRETEL: I can’t wait to . . . where’s our food?
MAMA: You haven’t made it yet.
HANSEL: You just said there was apple strudel
GRETEL: And sausages.
HANSEL: And eggs.
MAMA: And fresh milk! But it is all for me.
GRETEL: Don’t we get some?
MAMA: (Copying her.) Don’t we get some! Always thinking of yourselves! Now get cooking and
make some more!
GRETEL: We don’t have time to cook breakfast and eat it.
MAMA: I know that! I’m still hungry, so cook me some more and I’ll eat it while you two are at
school.
HANSEL: But—
MAMA: Don’t whine! I hate whining. I can’t take any of your complaining. (In a high voice
mimicking them.) I’m hungry. I’m thirsty. I need a blanket. I don’t want to sleep outside in
snow! I haven’t eaten in days! (Back to her own voice.) I can’t wait for each morning when you
leave!
GRETEL: Where’s Papa?
MAMA: He’s out cutting wood to sell. He has to work hard to make enough money to make me
happy.
(We hear a trumpet fanfare. MAMA stands and she with HANSEL and GRETEL cross over to
stage left to look out onto the street.)
HANSEL: Who could that be?
GRETEL: (Looking out the window left.) There’s several soldiers and a very handsome man on a
white horse!
MAMA: That looks like Prince Charming! Wait! A beautiful gold carriage is stopping too! Several
very beautiful women are stepping out of it. Is that Queen Wattle E. Otcha?
(A knock on the door left.)
HANSEL: (Crossing off to the door.) I’ll get it.
MAMA: Hello, handsome!
(MAMA opens the door. Enter the GUARD who is carrying a very richly decorated shoebox.)
GUARD: His highness, Prince Charming!
PRINCE CHARMING: (Entering from left and crossing past the GUARD.) Hello, lowly,
undeserving subjects!
MAMA: Your Highness!
GRETEL: Are you Prince Charming?
PRINCE CHARMING: Why yes I am. Do you know why my mother named me “Prince
Charming”?
MAMA: No, why?
PRINCE CHARMING: Because she thought “Prince Incredibly Good-Looking” was too hard to
spell! (He laughs at his own joke.) But seriously, I have come here on important business. I am
looking for a young lady.
GRETEL: I’m young!
MAMA: I’m a lady! (HANSEL and GRETEL start to chuckle.) And not a peep out of you two!
PRINCE CHARMING: I don’t mean just any young lady. I’m looking for a certain young lady that
came to my party last night.
MAMA: What did she look like?
PRINCE CHARMING: She was . . . Wow! And her dress was like . . . Whoa!
HANSEL: What else do you remember about her?
PRINCE CHARMING: She was a great dancer. And her face she . . Okay, I didn’t have my
glasses on. When I wear my glasses I don’t look quite so, so charming. But one thing I do know
is that she left a glass slipper. The girl whose foot fits in the slipper will be my wife and will live
with me in the castle forever! She will have servants to do every single thing for her for the rest
of her life!
MAMA: Pick me! Pick me!
PRINCE CHARMING: You’re foot must fit the shoe! (Both MAMA and GRETEL take off their
shoes and hold out their feet. HANSEL walks over to watch them.) Hand me the glass slipper.
(The GUARD hands him the shoebox. PRINCE CHARMING takes it and holds it for a second.
Suspicious, he shakes the box. We can hear broken glass bouncing around in the box.) You
dropped it didn’t you? (The GUARD bows his head.) Boy, are you in trouble! (The GUARD
crosses right, sits at the table, and starts eating MAMA’S breakfast.).) Well, I guess I’ll have to
find my princess some other way.
(He crosses to stage left..Enter the LADIES IN WAITING from stage left. They make a line
facing the audience.)
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Her majesty!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Royal Leader of the Empire!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Highest Royalty of the Commonwealth!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: The Supreme Leader of All She Surveys!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Exalted Queen of Everything Good!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Guiding Light to All Who Behold Her!
ALL LADIES IN WAITING: Queen Wattle E. Otcha!
(The LADIES IN WAITING start singing and doing the hand movements to “Wattle-E-Otcha,
Wattle-E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do.” Enter the QUEEN. )
QUEEN: (Saying the following line as she crosses center.) Oh, please stand! There is no need for
kneeling! (To the LADIES IN WAITING.) Why aren’t they kneeling? Make them kneel right now!
Let’s try that again.
(The QUEEN exits out the door.)
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Kneel down right now!
MAMA: Why?
2ND LADY IN WAITING: Because she’s the queen!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: And she’ll chop off your head if you don’t!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: And lock you up in prison!
MAMA: After I’m dead?
2ND LADY IN WAITING: Yes. And then she’ll have you cut you into little pieces!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: And feed you to her the royal gold fish!
MAMA: Yuck!
(The family kneels.)
PRINCE CHARMING: (At the door.) Mummy! They are ready!
QUEEN: (Peeking her head through the door.) It’s about time! People just don’t know their
places! They stand around like they are my equal!
PRINCE CHARMING: No one is your equal, Mummy.
QUEEN: I know that! After all, I am the queen! How many queens are around here?
PRINCE CHARMING: Just one, Mummy. You are the Queen and there aren’t any others.
QUEEN: And don’t you forget it!
PRINCE CHARMING: No, Mummy.
QUEEN: Now I’m coming to come back in. Make sure everyone does everything right this time!
PRINCE CHARMING: Yes, Mummy.
(She exits back outside.)
PRINCE CHARMING: Ladies, you can start now.
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Her majesty!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Royal Leader of the Empire!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Highest Royalty of the Commonwealth!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: The Supreme Leader of All She Surveys!
2ND LADY IN WAITING: The Exalted Queen of Everything Good!
3RD LADY IN WAITING: The Guiding Light to All Who Behold Her!
LADIES IN WAITING: Queen Wattle E. Otcha!
(The LADIES IN WAITING sing again and do the hand movements to “Wattle-E-Otcha, Wattle-
E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do.” The QUEEN enters.)
QUEEN: Oh, please! There’s no need to kneel! Please get up! You are such sweet subjects!
MAMA: (Running over to the QUEEN) Oh, Your Majesty! It is such an honor to meet you!
QUEEN: It is, isn’t it!
MAMA: I have always wanted to shake your hand! (She takes the QUEEN’s hand.)
QUEEN: (Panic-stricken.) AHHHH! She touched me! Quick! Clean my hand!
1ST LADY IN WAITING: Yes, Your Majesty! (The LADIES IN WAITING quickly produce
towels and a spray bottle and clean off her hand.)
QUEEN: Oh, that is better. (To MAMA, sweetly.) I know you are just a lowly peasant and
therefore you are not capable of learning much, but I must tell you that if you touch me again I
will have you killed. Is that understood?
MAMA: (Taking a step back.) Yes. I won’t do it again.
QUEEN: That’s a good peasant. (To PRINCE CHARMING.) Did the slipper fit any of them?
PRINCE CHARMING: No, Mummy.
QUEEN: That’s a relief! Are you really set on marrying the person who fits the slipper?
PRINCE CHARMING: Oh yes, Mummy. She was . . . Wow! And her dress was like . . . Whoa!
QUEEN: Yes, you told me that before. But these subjects are so . . . filthy.
PRINCE CHARMING: They aren’t that bad.
QUEEN: I guess you could get used to them if they were properly . . . disinfected.
PRINCE CHARMING: Besides, I want to find someone who will want to marry me. Where will I
find a woman like that?
(MAMA, GRETEL and the LAIDIES IN WAITING all raise their hands and start saying “Ooh!
Ooh!”)
PRINCE CHARMING: It’s the girl whose foot fits the slipper or I’ll stay single forever.
QUEEN: Where’s the slipper now?
PRINCE CHARMING: Well, we had some problems with that.
QUEEN: What?
PRINCE CHARMING: The guard dropped it.
QUEEN: Then why am I standing around in this dump instead of in the castle? I’m leaving this
instant!
(The QUEEN exits out the door left followed by her LADIES IN WAITING singing “Wattle-E-
Otcha, Wattle-E-Otcha, Doodle-E. Do, Doodle-E-Do” as they leave.)
QUEEN: (Offstage.) Charming get out of there before you catch something!
PRINCE CHARMING: Well. . . Bye! (Prince Charming exits out the door as the guards stand up.)
GUARD: Thanks for the breakfast. (He exits left.)
MAMA: Thanks for?
GRETEL: What breakfast?
MAMA: (Crossing to the table and holding up an empty plate.) MY breakfast! He ate my breakfast!
(We hear a loud bell tolling.)
MAMA: It’s almost time for school!
HANSEL: But don’t we get any breakfast?
MAMA: The guard ate it all!
GRETEL: But I’m starving!
HANSEL: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
GRETEL: Can’t I take a granola bar?
MAMA: Stop complaining and get going! You have a long walk through the deep, dark dangerous
forest to get to school.
HANSEL and GRETEL: But Ma!
MAMA: What’s the punishment for being tardy?
GRETEL: No, not the rack!
(HANSEL and GRETEL hurriedly exit out the door left.)
MAMA: (Calling out the door.) See you after school!
SCENE 2
DEEP IN THE FOREST
(The forest is dark and foreboding with tall trees. HANSEL and GRETEL enter from stage left
looking around at the strange and unknown place. They stop at down left center.)
GRETEL: I think we took a wrong turn somewhere! This doesn’t look like the way to school!
HANSEL: It sure is dark and scary!
(Enter SNOW WHITE and the HUNTER from stage right.)
GRETEL: Look, some people are coming!
HANSEL: Hey! Over here!
SNOW WHITE: What? I think I see some children over there!
HUNTER: It’s just your imagination.
SNOW WHITE: (Crossing left.) No, let’s go talk to them.
HUNTER: Wait!
SNOW WHITE: Hello there. I’m Snow White and this is the Hunter.
HUNTER: Hello.
GRETEL: We’re so glad you came! We’re lost in the forest!
HANSEL: Can you help us?
SNOW WHITE: Of course we can!
HUNTER: (Crossing to SNOW WHITE.) No, we can’t.
SNOW WHITE: What are you talking about? We’re just out on a little hunting trip alone.
GRETEL: Where’s your bow and arrow?
SNOW WHITE: It’s a . . . Where IS your bow and arrow?
HUNTER: Uh, I forgot it.
SNOW WHITE: (Starting right.) We can go back to the castle and get it.
HUNTER: (Grabbing her arm to stop her and pulling her back.) NOOO! I mean no, I don’t think
we should do that. The queen was very clear we shouldn’t come back to the castle.
SNOW WHITE: Well we have to go home sometime!
HUNTER: No, WE don’t.
SNOW WHITE: What are you talking about?
HUNTER: (He takes her arm and pulls her a few steps right.) Let’s just keep walking. We still
have go hunting.
SNOW WHITE: With what? You don’t have a bow and arrow.
HUNTER: I do have a great big knife!
SNOW WHITE: I guess that will work. Bye, bye!
GRETEL: But aren’t you going to help us?
SNOW WHITE: Well if you are still here when we come back, we’ll take you home. Cross my
heart hope to die. Bye now!
(SNOW WHITE and the HUNTER exit right.)
HANSEL: Wait!
GRETEL: Shush! I think I see some animals! Quick! Get behind the tree!
(They hide. Enter PAPA BEAR, MOMA BEAR, and BABY BEAR from right.)
BABY BEAR: Are we there yet?
MAMA BEAR: We’ll be home in no time.
BABY BEAR: I’m hungry!
(They stop down center.)
MAMA BEAR: I’ve got some porridge cooling off for you. When we get home it will be juuuuust
right!
BABY BEAR: My feet are tired! Why do we need to go on a walk? Why can’t I just stay home?
MAMA BEAR: Look at the pretty trees!
BABY BEAR: Brown bark and green on top, right? If you’ve seen one tree, you’ve seen them all.
PAPA BEAR: Don’t talk that way to your mother!
BABY BEAR: I just want to go home and play video games.
MAMA BEAR: Don’t you want some exercise?
BABY BEAR: I don’t like exercise. I want to play my Xbox!
PAPA BEAR: Would you get her under control?
MAMA BEAR: She’s just being a child.
PAPA BEAR: Grrrrrr! I can’t wait until we all hibernate!
(The BEARS exit left. Enter LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD from stage right and enter the BIG,
BAD WOLF from stage left.)
BIG, BAD WOLF: What are you doing little girl?
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: I’m Little Red Riding Hood and I’m going to my grandma’s house?
BIG, BAD WOLF: Is your grandmother delicious—I mean is she a nice grandma?
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: Very nice.
BIG, BAD WOLF: What’s in the basket?
(The WOLF reaches in. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD slaps his hand.)
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: Keep your paws out of there! That’s for my grandma!
BIG, BAD WOLF: For a little girl you can hit pretty hard!
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: So you better stay on my good side! Well, I’ve got to be going!
See you later!
(Exit LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD stage left.)
BIG, BAD WOLF: She’s going to her grandmother’s house! Well, so am I! And I can get there
way before she does!
(Exit WOLF right.)
GRETEL: I don’t know if we’ll ever get back home!
HANSEL: Don’t worry, Gretel! I’ve been dropping bread crumbs the whole time we’ve been
walking!
GRETEL: You have! That’s great! So all we have to do is follow the bread crumbs home and
everything will be okay!
HANSEL: Let’s go!
(We hear the sound of many CROWS cawing.)
GRETEL: What’s that sound?
HANSEL: Look out!
(Enter from left a large group of CROWS flapping their wings and eating things off of the ground.
They wander around pecking at the ground for a few moments. They then flap their wings and
exit right cawing.)
GRETEL: Now, let’s go.
HANSEL: Yes it’s this way. (They walk a few steps left.) Or is it that way. (They take a few
steps right.) Or is it that way over there? (They take a few steps downstage. Suddenly, HANSEL
bursts into tears.)
GRETEL: What’s a matter, Hansel? Why are you so upset?
HANSEL: (Sobbing.) I can’t find my breadcrumbs!
GRETEL: Why not?
HANSEL: I think the crows ate them!
GRETEL: They what?
HANSEL: I hate those birds!
GRETEL: That’s not a nice thing to say!
HANSEL: We’re lost in the forest and we are going to starve to death and die!
GRETEL: No, we’re not!
HANSEL: Yes, we are! They will only find our bones!
GRETEL: Ew!
HANSEL: They will use us for Halloween decorations!
GRETEL: We have to remain calm! The most important thing to do it remain calm! (Pause.)
Ahhhh! (She bursts into tears also.)
HANSEL: I wish we had something to eat! My blood sugar is really low!
(Enter a WHITE BIRD from stage right.)
HANSEL: Look at the pretty bird!
WHITE BIRD: (A little afraid.) Chirp, chirp?
GRETEL: Don’t be afraid, little bird.
HANSEL: Come here.
WHITE BIRD: Chirp?
GRETEL: We’re lost and we don’t know how to get home.
HANSEL: Can you help us?
WHITE BIRD: (Nodding it’s head.) Chirp! (Motioning for them to follow her stage left.) Chirp!
Chirp!
GRETEL: I think it wants us to follow it.
WHITE BIRD: (Frantic nodding.) Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
HANSEL: What do you think we should do, Gretel?
GRETEL: I think we should go with it.
WHITE BIRD: (Nodding, she crosses to stage left and motions for HANSEL and GRETEL to
follow it.)
HANSEL: Let’s go! (The curtain opens to reveal the candy house of the WITCH. HANSEL and
GRETEL see it and stop.)
HANSEL: Look! What is that over there!
GRETEL: It’s a house! We’ve found civilization!
(The WHITE BIRD runs over and grabs GRETEL’s arm and tries to pull her away from the
house.)
WHITE BIRD: Chirp! Chirp! (HANSEL and GRETEL run over to the house and start knocking on
the door. The WHITE BIRD is frantic, but does not dare to get any closer to the house to help
them.)
GRETEL: Help!
HANSEL: Open the door!
GRETEL: We’re starving!
HANSEL: We haven’t eaten since last night!
GRETEL: We might die any second!
HANSEL: It’s no use! No one is home!
GRETEL: What are we going to do? (She leans back and part of the house breaks off. She holds it
looking around.)
HANSEL: Now you’ve done it. The owner is going to call the police on you!
(She hides the broken piece behind the porch.)
GRETEL: Yuck! My hand is sticky!
HANSEL: Maybe the paint is wet.
GRETEL: (Sticking her fingers in her mouth.) Mmmm! It’s sweet!
HANSEL: Sweet? What are you talking about?
GRETEL: I think the house is made of candy?
HANSEL: Are you nuts? No one builds their house out of candy.
GRETEL: We just saw three talking bears and you think a candy house can’t be real?
HANSEL: I see your point. (He breaks of a piece of the house and starts to eat it.) This is some of
the best tasting siding I have ever tasted!
GRETEL: How many houses have you eaten?
WITCH: (Offstage. Sweetly.) Who is out there? Do I have visitors?
HANSEL: Who is that?
(The WITCH enters from stage right and looks at HANSEL and GRETEL.)
WITCH: Is someone out here? I can’t see too well, but I can smell two little, delicious young
people out here! Come out, come out wherever you are! (She sniffs the air. HANSEL and
GRETEL hide stage left.) I’m getting closer! Come out, little dearies!
WHITE BIRD: (Coming between the WITCH and HANSEL and GRETEL.) Chirp, chirp!
WITCH: I can’t wait to meet you, you little sweeties! Aren’t you hungry? I know I am.
WHITE BIRD: Chirp, chirp, chirp!
WITCH: Get away from me, you crazy bird! (She finds them.) There you are! Oh, how nice!
Two sweet children! (Coming between them and putting her arms around their shoulders.) So
cute and juicy! What are your names, dears?
HANSEL: I’m Hansel.
GRETEL: And I’m Gretel.
WHITE BIRD: (Crossing to the WITCH.) Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
WITCH: Get away, you stupid little bird, before I cook you up and eat you for lunch!
WHITE BIRD: (Complaining and giving up on poor HANSEL and GRETEL. She shakes her head
as she exits left.) Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!
WITCH: Now where were we? Hansel and Gretel! What sweet names! Which one is Hansel. I
can’t see as well as I used to. (HANSEL raises his hand.) How nice! And you must be Gretel!
(Leaning in to see her.) You’re a very cute little girl! So what brings you to my house?
HANSEL: We got lost in the forest.
WITCH: Lost in the forest? So no one knows you’re here?
GRETEL: No.
WITCH: Well isn’t that scrumptious! You two look so yummy!
HANSEL: Do you have anything to eat?
WITCH: So you’re hungry?
GRETEL: Starving.
WITCH: Well, well, well! Maybe I can have you for dinner!
HANSEL: That would be wonderful!
WITCH: Will you come inside?
GRETEL: Thank you.
(They exit stage right.)
Here is two scenes for you to enjoy!
This fractured fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel weaves in many other fairy tale characters like Snow White, the Three
Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Prince Charming and his clean-freak mother the Queen! The laughs never
stop as Gretel works to save her brother Hansel from being cooked! She gets help from the Little White Bird who
gathers the other fairy tale characters to save Hansel and to rid the forest of the Wicked Witch once and for all!
6 men 10 women, crows who could be double cast from the cast.
Approximate running time: 40 minutes
Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Prince Charming and his clean-freak mother the Queen! The laughs never
stop as Gretel works to save her brother Hansel from being cooked! She gets help from the Little White Bird who
gathers the other fairy tale characters to save Hansel and to rid the forest of the Wicked Witch once and for all!
6 men 10 women, crows who could be double cast from the cast.
Approximate running time: 40 minutes