Hansel and Gretel
cast
Mother
Father
Hansel
Gretel
Witch
Scene I
At opening we see two children making brooms as they sing. Inside the house their mother is watching.
Mother: listen to those pesky sounds,
listen to that shrieking
listen, listen to all that noise
cheerful noise, foolish noise,
while there is nothing
To eat, nothing to eat.
Hansel and Gretel:
twist round the straw
twist round the string
with a twist and a turn
a broom like a tune makes a twist and turn
Round and around you twist while you sing.
Mother: Two brooms, only two brooms!
The anger inside me fires and fumes!
Only two brooms, only two brooms!
Smiles on your faces,
faces of fools!
What have you made for
your father to sell?
The smiles on your
faces,
and only two brooms
The anger inside me
fires and fumes!
Get into the house!
Hansel and Gretel:
Yes, mother.
Mother: And go to your beds!
Or I’ll bash both your
heads!
You’ve wasted the day
with fooling and play.
You'll have nothing to
eat.
Not even a crumb!
Hansel and Gretel:
Yes, mother.
Mother: Smiles on your faces,
faces of fools!
What have you made for
your father to sell?
The smiles on your
faces,
and only two brooms
the anger inside me
fires and fumes!"smiles on your faces"
Hansel: Gretel...
Gretel: Yes, Hansel.
Hansel: Gretel, I'm so hungry.
Gretel: Me, too.
Hansel: Perhaps, if you sing
the hunger won't sting.
Gretel: Perhaps if we sing
the hunger won't sting.
Hansel and Gretel begin half heartedly.
Twist round the straw
Twist round the string
With a twist and a turn
A broom like a tune Makes a twist and turn.
Round and around you
Twist while you sing.
Hansel: Gretel....
Gretel: Yes, Hansel.
Hansel: It doesn't work!
Gretel: Hansel, wait.
Hansel, look!
(the mother goes outside for wood)
Gretel: In the cupboard.
In the crock.
There is still a bit of
milk.
She isn’t watching.
She'll never see.
She isn't watching.
Now, quick as can be!
(they hurry to the cupboard)
The cupboard door is stuck. They struggle to open it and just as they do the mother comes in. In their freight they
drop the milk)
Mother: you wretched children! Look what you've done! Our only food. And now it's gone!
(screaming)
You'll pay for this! AHHHH!
(She chases the children. They run stage left then right and then into the audience. The mother chases them with a
broom.)
Hansel: Run, Gretel run!
Gretel: I'm running Hansel, as fast as I can.
Mother: (from the stage)
I'll get you. You can't hide!
(Entering the audience and questioning the children there.)
Where did they go? Where did they go?
(Hansel and Gretel run back to the stage as the mother catches Hansel by the ear)
Gretel: Let him go! Let him Go!
Mother: Spill the milk will you? Sneak into my cupboards little rat?
(she begins to spank Hansel with the broom)
Gretel: No, mother, no!
Mother: Do you want to join your brother? Clean this mess up!
(As she pulls Gretel's ear.)
Two brooms, only two brooms!
the anger inside me
fires and fumes
only two brooms, only
two brooms!
Smiles on your faces,
faces of fools.
What have you made for
your father to sell?
Smiles on your faces,
and only two brooms
the anger inside me
fires and fumes!
(The father enters)
Father: Hansel! Gretel!
Children: papa!
Father: Hansel, Gretel.
Mother:(to the children)
Don’t make a move!
Stay where you are!
Father: Gerta, why? .......
Mother: (to children)
If you make one sound....
(to father)
And how many brooms did you sell today?
Father: Today, just one. Just one broom.
Mother: One broom. One! Lazy fool! No food, no money. Idiot children, a worthless fool and spilt milk!
Father: Spilt milk?
Hansel: I didn't mean to father! Honest didn't!
(at the same time)
Gretel: No, he didn’t, father.
Father: I'm sure they didn't mean it Gerta. It was an accident.
Mother: Accident! Accident!
Fools like their father. Headless of needs. Careless of money. Given to dreams
All fancy and fluff.
No work! No brooms!
No money! No food! Nothing but dance
fool’ry and song.
Away from me all of you! Out of my sight!
To see you all gaping
Your eyes and mouths shaking,
Itches my nose
And curls up my toes!
My anger inflates me!
Away ! Away!
Father: To bed Hansel To bed Gretel. Your mother is not herself. Hunger has gone to her head. To bed now .
Both of you go.
Mother: (to father)
You as well - away from my sight!
(father creeps to his own bed in the corner)
Mother: (alone)
How to rid myself of their mindless prattle, their idle minds and lazy hands? What use are they to me the children?
( the father overhears)
But why waste what can bring a price? Is there not some Gypsy band who would buy a boy for their horses
and a girl for their goats?
Surely they could bring a price.
A handsome price.
In the morning, while there father is away, I'll take them down the road to the Gypsy camp and make my bargain
there. And what will he know when he returns? I'll say I sent them down by the stream to fetch rushes for brooms. And
haven't seen them since.
Worry is an easy look to fit on my face. And he is too weak to doubt me.
(Mother goes to bed)
Father: Hansel, Gretel.,, Hansel Gretel. awake, awake.
(he covers first her mouth then his as they awaken.)
Hush and come with me.
(he takes them outside the house)
Listen to me children. You must escape. You must leave this place. Go, Go. The madness of hunger has
seized your mother. I fear for you that she will do you harm. No, don't speak and don’t look back. Run , run into the
woods as far and as fast as you can.
(They reach out.)
No, say nothing or my already breaking heart will surely burst.
(They stand still and silent)
(he screams)
GO!
(they run off)
SCENE 2
FOREST
Gretel: Oh Hansel, I'm so frightened I wish we were home safe with father.
Hansel: So do I Gretel.
Gretel: The forest is so dark Hansel.
Hansel: Has the sun risen yet?
Gretel: We have run so long and so fast. Has it been all night or all day?
Hansel: I'm hungry and I'm cold.
(A rustling sound)
Gretel: What was that Hansel?
Hansel: What was what?
Gretel: That noise. Did you hear it?
(The rustle is heard again.)
Gretel: There it is again!
Hansel: Yes! I heard it.
(Rustle)
Hansel: And that?
Gretel: I heard it! I heard!
(pause)
Perhaps just a pine cone falling.
(Pause and stares about)
Hansel: Perhaps just the wind in the branches.
Gretel: Or just a mouse in the leaves.
Hansel: Or a squirrel in the tree.
Gretel: Or something else?
Hansel: Something bigger?
Gretel: Something bigger!
Hansel: Like a wolf!
Scene 3
The Next Morning in the Forest
Gretel: (awakening)
Hansel awake, awake!
Hansel: But let me sleep, let me sleep.
Gretel: Hansel, awake!
Hansel: But I don’t want to make more brooms,
and my dream is much more pleasant.
Gretel: Wake up Hansel. No brooms. We're alone now.
Hansel: Alone!
(startled as he remembers)
The woods, wolves, bears, wild animals!
Gretel: No Hansel, look, it's morning.
Hansel: Oh Gretel, the dream I had! All the angels of heaven came to watch over us.
Gretel: You too, Hansel? I had the same dream.
They were here and there and all around us.
Hansel: But look Gretel. Look what else is around us.
those bushes! They're blueberries.
Gretel: Blueberries! Oh Hansel, I'm so hungry!
(they run to the bushes and begin to pick)
Gretel: Hansel, do you see what I think I see?
Hansel: Of course I do. hundreds of blueberries.
Gretel: No, Hansel, not the blueberries. Over there!
Hansel: Over where?
Gretel: There Hansel, Look! Do you see that?
Hansel: Do I see wh......!
(backing away down stage)
Hansel: It's a dream. I'm still asleep.
Gretel: I don't think so.
Hansel: Wait, let's see
(pinches himself)
Ouch!
I am awake!
(The gingerbread house appears from
(They stare in awe)
Witch:
(As yet, unseen)
Squeaky, squeaky, little mouse,
Is someone nibbling on my house?
Gretel: Did you hear something?
Hansel: (mouth full)
Nope.
Witch:
(moving stage right from inside the house)
Squeaky, squeaky, little mouse
who's that nibbling on my house?
Gretel: Hansel, did you hear that this time?
Hansel: (still stuffing his mouth) Nope.
Gretel: (whispers)
Hansel, listen.
Hansel: How can I listen with my mouth full?
Gretel: Sshhhh.
Witch:
(circling around and coming at them from down stage)
Squeaky, squeaky little mouse
Caught you nibbling on my house!
(as she collars both children)
The children give a startled cry.
Witch:(releasing them)
Come, come children. Don't be startled.
So, you like chocolates. You like candies. Tempting sweets
and sugar treats.
Come, don't be afraid. You see my love house? Lovely sweets, delicious treats for children like you.
(they calm)
Yes, now don’t be alarmed. I'm just an old woman with no company. Come, enjoy my house. Here, have some.
(she offers candy, the children snatch it up.)
Now, what is your name my dear?
Gretel: My name is Gretel.
Witch: Come close my child, these eyes are old and don’t see so well..
(Gretel comes closer. She feels her arm)
Yes, yes, a fine young girl.
Witch: And you young fellow?
Hansel: I'm Hansel.
Witch: Come closer my child, these eyes are old and don’t see so well.
(Hansel comes closer. She feels his arm)
Yes, yes, a bit thin but some growing to do.
Hansel: I've grown this much since spring and I'll grow this much more by winter.
Witch: Ah so you shall
(she feels his upper arms with both her hands)
And what are you doing here?
Gretel: We were lost, lost in the woods
Hansel: Our mother cast us out. She doesn't want us.
(begins to sob)
She doesn’t love us.
Witch: There, there my dears. You're with me now.
(she pats them)
So, you say your mother cast you out.
Gretel: Yes.
Witch: She doesn't want you?
Hansel: No.
Witch: No one cares for you? No one looks for you?
Hansel and Gretel:
No, we are alone?
(Witch does take to the audience)
Witch: Well, well my dears. You'll just have to stay here with me and live on sweets and treats.
(cackles with glee)
Hansel: Oh Gretel, I don't feel so well.
Gretel: Oh Hansel, I've eaten too much.
Hansel: All these candies
Gretel: All these treats!
Hansel: My head.
Gretel: My stomach.
Hansel: My stomach.
Gretel: My head.
Witch: Nonsense, nonsense children. You're just weary. just unaccustomed to such fine food. Perhaps another
piece of chocolate Hansel.
Hansel: (turning green)
Oh no, no thank you.
Witch: Why Hansel. Have you truly eaten too much?
(she begins spinning him around)
Too much candy, to much chocolate. To many sweets. too many treats.
(with malice)
You've been a pig Hansel. A greedy pig. Stuffing your face with candies and sweets, goodies and
treats.
(spinning him faster)
A pig Hansel, a greedy pig. A pig in his pen.
(she twirls him into the cage and cackles wildly)
Gretel:
(too bedazzled to help begins to run.)
Witch:
(drawing her magic wand)
Hocus pocus
Tristis Mistis
Domus nomus
Spistis fistis
Hold where you stand,
And stand like a stone.
Stir not a muscle;
Move not a bone.
Your will is mine,
And mine alone.
(witches cackles furiously as she spins around the frozen Gretel)
Witch: You wish to run?
then run you shall but going nowhere is as far as you'll get!
( makes Gretel run in place - cackle continues)
Stop - Go - Stop - Go
(Gretel responds to each command as the witch cackles)
Hansel: Stop, stop please stop! You're killing her!
(Witch gestures to make Gretel stop)
Witch :
(in mock voice)
Stop, stop you're killing her!
Hansel: Please. Do what you want with me but leave my sister alone.
Witch: (mocking)
Leave my sister alone.
(She continues in a menacing voice.)
Foolish boy, foolish girl!
Did not one ever
Tell you to never stop for a stranger’s word?
Candy tempts you
Greed commands you,
And now you fall a witch’s prey!
Who’ll eat you up This very day!!!
Your sister's a fine little girl, a plump little girl. I'll surely not harm her --yet. She's larder for my pantry. But
you, skinny thing. You need fatting up. Some flesh on those bones. Tasty chops and cutlets. Gretel! bring that cake
to your brother!
(Gretel brings cake to Hansel)
Gretel: (whispers)
Hansel, don’t eat. Stay skinny so she'll leave you alone.
Witch: what's that you say! Eat, Eat skinny boy. Eat
And you plump morsel. Gather wood for my oven.
(Gretel gathers sticks)
Gretel : (as she passes Hansel)
Oh, Hansel, what shall we do. The witch will feed you and then eat you.
Hansel: Gretel she won't eat me while I'm still thin. Perhaps, if I don't eat.
Gretel: But Hansel, if you don’t eat you'll be only skin and bones and then you will surely die.
Witch: Be busy there! What is that whispering?
Come girl. Bring this cake to your brother. Make him fatter for my platter.
(she likes her own joke)
Fatter for my platter!
(cackle)
Gretel: Oh Hansel, she is hateful and godless.
Hansel: Don’t worry Gretel. We'll find a way.
Witch: More cakes, more cookies, more sweets. Fatter, fatter. He must get fatter
(she becomes hysterical)
(witch waves her wand again)
Now, wood, wood bring more wood. I'll heat the oven hot, hot to bake him crisp to a turn.
(Gretel scurries from one chore to the next)
More cake, more sweets. More wood more wood.
(cackle)
Fatter for my platter, fatter for my platter.
(Gretel continues to scurry)
Witch: Hocus pocus
Tristis Mistis
Domus nomus
Spistis fistis
Hold where you stand,
And stand like a stone.
Stir not a muscle
Move not a bone
Your will is mine
And mine alone.
(Gretel freezes in place)
Let’s see now,
Have we fattened you up? Are you plump enough to please my palate. Has the sugar sweetened your
bones and reddened you blood? Put out your hand, I will test your finger to see if you're just right.
(she approaches but has trouble seeing)
Further, put your finger out further, I cannot see to feel it.
(Hansel pushes out a twig)
Ugh! still thin as a stick.
(angry)
No flesh, no sweet fat. But I hunger so for young child's meat, those tender arms and crispy legs. I cannot
wait. I'll eat him so! Fat or thin he'll be my fare. Prepare the oven, stoke the fire, heat it hot to bake him well.
(cackle)
(she points to Gretel who opens the oven and begins to fill it with wood)
Witch: Burn hot, burn bright;
burn red, burn white.
Heat the oven for this boy
bake him, roast him;
rake him, toast him.
Twist my tongue and lips with joy
Burn! Burn!
(cackle)
[the following sequence takes place rapidly with overlapping dialogue]
(The witch waves her wand over Gretel who freezes again)
(she goes to the cage and pulls out Hansel)
Hansel: No, no. let me go! You godless witch, you demon ogress!
Gretel: Hansel, Hansel! I cannot move! I cannot move!
Hansel: Gretel, help me help me! Your love can help me!
Witch: Open the door, Open the door, The oven is hot! Open the door.
Gretel: I can't, I can’t, I cannot move!
(Hansel trying to escape)
]
Witch: The door! The door!
Do as I say!
(as she struggles with Hansel)
Gretel: But I cannot move.
Witch:
(tries to wave her wand but Hansel knocks it from her hand)
You wretched boy. I'll do it myself.
(
she begins to open the oven with one hand and hold Hansel with the other)
Hansel: Gretel, if you love me !
(Gretel makes a great effort, frees herself and pushes the witch into the oven. There is a great explosion of fire and
smoke)
Hansel and Gretel: Look! Look!
Look Hansel!
Look Gretel!
Gone! Gone!
Up in fire and smoke!
Hansel: She didn’t eat you!
Gretel: She didn’t bake you!
We’re safe Hansel.
She can’t hurt us anymore.
Hansel: But Gretel.
Gretel: Yes, Hansel.
Hansel: Gretel, we’re still alone.
We’re still in the great forest.
At this point, the players turn to the audience for advice. “What should we do? How should Hansel and Gretel turn
out? Does only their father come looking for them or has the mother also realized her mistake? The audience decides
and the players must improvise the ending. They may even bring the witch back!