A Fairy Tale Tribunal July 28, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Music & Dance.trackback
We live in a litigious society . . . when even fairy tale characters are put “on trial” for their perceived transgressions.
This week, in Character Matters, the island drama camp convened a tribunal (Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, and Rapunzel) to mediate a series of disputes.
The Four Dwarves (downsized from seven) accused Snow White of lack of appreciation for saving her life.
And expressed indignation at Snow for not even knowing their names.
In Ms. White’s defense, when asked to divulge their names, the Four Dwarves refused . . . for fear of a trademark infringement suit by Disney.
Three Billy Goats charged the Troll with being a bully each time they crossed his bridge. The Troll entered a plea of nolo contendre, but claimed he now wanted to be friends with the goats . . . not eat them.
The miller’s daughter tried to renege on her contract; Rumpelstiltskin stomped his feet and insisted on specific performance of the “iron clad contract.”
The Princess (of “And the Pea” fame) received an award and trophy from Little Red Riding Hood for being posh and polite while visiting her intended’s family.
The wolf, the woodsman, and Red Riding Hood’s grandmother did not attend the award ceremony or send proxies in their stead.
Hansel and Gretel accused the Witch of inviting them to dinner . . . as dinner.
Her response to this extreme breach of etiquette . . . “My bad.”
The Ugly Duckling sought injunctive relief from her step-siblings ~ two fluffy ducks who poked fun at her appearance and “looked at her funny.”
The ducklings agreed to cease and desist in their cruel mockery . . . but only after flapping their wings about in mock indignation.
During the production, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall off a wall as a result of negligent maintenance of said structure by the Fairy Tale Forest Commission.
Due to Humpty’s extreme discombobulation (i.e., scrambled wits), Rapunzel offered his seat to the Pied Piper.
Disgruntled by the perceived slight, the rats claimed discrimination against all and sundry. Rumpelstiltskin offered to represent them “pro bono.”
The play began and ended on a high note.
With all the Fairy Tale Characters reminding us that Character Matters.
Aah . . . that’s Grimm!
Related post: WP Prompt ~ Life Without A Computer -> Real Life Drama!
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Very clever 🙂
We enjoyed the production, Lorraine. The smallest two dwarves (later rats) and Rumpelstiltskin were too precious for words. And the Princess (of “and the Pea”) fame had a gorgeous voice.
They did a wonderful job after only 2 weeks of rehearsals.
What a hoot!
Such a FUN production . . . I fell in love with the two tiny dwarves, and the ducklings with attitude!
Loved this! Very funny…
Thanks, Kate. Harry would have enjoyed the show . . . even if the legal bits went over his head. Kids R Entertaining!
We live in a litigious society…
Tell me about it! Did you hear about the first ever complaint in over forty years about the film of The Railway Children (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/jul/11/railway-children-complaint)?
Although the novel on which the film was based was written over a century ago, the complainant was concerned that images of the three children venturing onto railway tracks was an encouragement to today’s kids to do the same. I despair when humourless people who are of an age to know better have such a lack of historical perspective that they should do things like this.
But I can see that Character Matters was tongue-in-cheek while still having serious points to make!
Thanks for the link. Delighted to hear that the complaint “was not upheld” and that the board showed wisdom in its ruling:
“While aware of the real dangers of such behaviour, the BBFC judged it was very unlikely that The Railway Children would promote such dangerous activity.”
Character Matters was very tongue-in-cheek and also shared some valuable pointers about “getting along.”
Amazingly entertaining – although my recent involvement in legal verbiage took some of my enjoyment away. Did you have to mention things like ‘proxies’? 🙂
Thanks, Col! I expect you’re thinking, “A pox on proxies!,” right about now. For good reason:
The Attorney General has determined that “sustained exposure to “legalese” (even second-hand smokescreens) may be harmful to your health.”
You have me thinking that perhaps there should be a ban on third-mouth smokescreens. You know, the people who go out to chat to smokers, and then re-enter a smoke-free zone and exhale.
That might take a bit of puffery to bring about.
Big smile.
Glad you enjoyed, Andra. Kids R Kute! 😀
That looks like a ton of fun! They should take it to PBS.
The drama camp lasted only 2 short weeks. Given the limited time for rehearsal, the cast was stellar.
Except for one song. Which NONE of them could remember. Instead, the drama coach sang the lyrics from off-stage with Pied Piper and the Rats hummed a few bars on stage.
I went to a home school production of A Mid Summer’s Night Dream many years ago and it was the most captivating, wonderful entertainment I have ever seen.
A Midsummer’s Night Dream is the perfect vehicle for young talent with its braying donkeys, fairies, and communal misunderstandings. 😀
Puts some things in perspective, doesn’t it. It’s fun to laugh at ourselves. Cute.
The kids has a great time as they stepped lively through their scenes. And everyone in the audience enjoyed the show.
Fun stuff!
So wonderfully entertaining Nancy. Thank you.
Thanks, Don. My snap-happy-ness during the play made writing this post a breeze ~ caption, photo, caption, photo. Fun play!
What a fantastic idea, Nancy. I love this! 😀
All and sundry enjoyed the performance . . . from the smallest dwarf to the towering troll to the appreciative audience.
And kudos to the costume designer . . . she did a great job. Loved her imagineering of Humpty Dumpty’s costume, as well as the simple outfits for Four Dwarves.
Smiling! Very cute.. 🙂
We found it impossible not to smile . . . especially at the tiny dwarves. What cuties!
beautiful and cute pics..life is a fairy tale:)
Cheerz
Vishal
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.
I would very much have enjoyed this production. You captured some great photos! I think the story sounds very clever, and to children’s theater is great fun! 🙂
Thanks, Debra. I kept snapping shots hoping I’d be able to use a few (after cropping out heads in the audience). Next summer, I might volunteer to help with the drama camp . . . the kids beamed with good energy.
Looks like a fun play!
The series of vignettes kept things moving along from scene to scene with no break in the action. And the kids needed very little stage prompting. Very fun.
Fun stuff! Looks like they had a great time. Love the costumes for the ducklings.
I expect you would have enjoyed the production and the kids had great fun sharing messages about “character.”
I remember a few years ago, a TV automobile commercial showing an updated Goldilocks, driving away with a car that she’d stolen from the Three Bears; but she was not shown being apprehended. The right ending would have shown her being stopped by Smokey Bear himself; also driving the same car model, which had been converted into a police cruiser.
That would have been a great ending! 😀
Neither Goldilocks nor the Three Bears attended the gala celebration. Maybe next summer . . .
Wow..I’d have loved to see that play! hehe
We loved it . . . a delight-filled performance with lots of laughs.
How about Hansel and Gretel as juvenile delinquents accused of arson and murder?
I would defend Hansel and Gretel with a plea of justifiable homicide in self-defense.
That would make a good skit for next year’s show.
It would!
I remember when I made posted these comments, almost two years ago. I’m curious. Have they presented another production?
I think they do the drama camp every summer, but we don’t always hear about the production in time to attend.
Sounds like my kind of play!
Such a delight. We both enjoyed the performance.
Oh so entertaining!
We enjoyed it more than we thought we would . . . the cast’s excitement spread through the audience.
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Would have love to have seen this. Fun to hear about it. Thanks.
A FUN production, for sure.