Description
Rumpelstiltskin play – an alternative version of the original Brothers Grimm version
This alternative Rumpelstiltskin play (cast of 6) can be used for performance or as a guided reading text. Rumpelstiltskin might seem an unlikely hero, but he’s definitely a superior being to that greedy king and miller! This version turns ‘original’ on its head, but then, who knows what original was like anyway? (Everybody realises the Brothers Grimm weren’t the original writers, right?!)
Cast size and Duration
A cast of 6, reading time approximately 20 minutes
Includes: Synopsis of the original fairy tale, play script, teaching input, discussion and suggested follow up activities.
This is the first of a series of ‘alternative’ fairy tales written by Sue Russell – coming up: Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty – these last three already available as assemblies, cast size 30 (easily adaptable up or down). Snow White also available as a pantomime.
Sample Text:
Narrator: Good morning. And welcome to one of our favourite fairy tales
(Enter Rumpelstiltskin)
Rumpelstiltskin: Rumpelstiltskin! That’s me!
Narrator: A veritable fiend! Villain! Crook!
Rumpelstiltskin: (Interrupting) Er, wait a minute! Are we talking about the same fairy tale?
(Narrator consults his notes)
Narrator: Well, I think so. Weren’t you the horrible little
Rumpelstiltskin: (Interrupting) Could you be just a tiny bit less offensive? I mean, ‘horrible’, ‘little’. Aren’t there any rules on political correctness here?
Narrator: (Apologetically) Oh I’m sorry. You’re right (Putting script to one side) I’ll try not to follow this quite so much
(Rumpelstiltskin walks over and takes a look at the script)
Rumpelstiltskin: (Snorting) Pah! As I thought! Those Brothers Grimm! The way they described their characters! They’d never get away with it today! ‘Little man’ indeed! How would they like to be vertically challenged?
Narrator: You know, I do sympathise with you. I think you have a right to feel the way you do!
Rumpelstiltskin: Well, thank you
Narrator: But that doesn’t completely excuse your behaviour.
Rumpelstiltskin: (Exploding) My behaviour? What about that of the king and the girl’s own father?
Also available: The Pied Piper of Hamelin Class Play or Assembly
