THE PIED PIPER of HAMELIN the PIED PIPER of HAMELIN Drl\Matized by William Glennon Dramatized by William Glennon

$THE PIED PIPER of HAMELIN the PIED PIPER of HAMELIN Drl\Matized by William Glennon Dramatized by William Glennon$

THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN Drl\matized by William Glennon Dramatized by William Glennon

The Dramatic Publishing Company Woodstock, TIlinois • London, England! • Melbourne, Australia

The Dramatic Publishing Company Woodstock, Dlinois • Londo~ England • Melbourne, Australia

The amateur and stock acting rights to this work are controlled exclu sively by THE DRAMATIC PVBUSHING COMPANY without whose pennission in writing no perfonnance of it may be given. Royalty fees ***are givenl'-lOTICEin our current*** catalogue and are subject to change without notice. Royalty must be paid eveI}' time a play is performed whether or The amateur and stock actingnot it isrightspresented to thisfor workprofit areand controlledwhether excluor not admission is charged. A sively by THE DRAMATICplay PUBUSHINGis performed anytime COMPANYit is actedwithoutbefore whosean audience. All inquiries pennission in writing noConcerning perlonnanceamateur of it mayand stockbe given.lights Royaltyshould feesbe addressed to: THE DRA are given in our currentlI

ISBN: 0-87129-056-1 Corer duign by Swan Carle

A Play in Two Parts For Seven Men and Four Women

THE PIED PIPERCHARACTERS

MAYORA Play inVON TwoBRAUN Parts a pompous official For SevenDAME MenVON andBRAUN Four Women his wife BERTRAM VON BRAUN .. the mayor's son, a teen-ager BERNICE VON BRAUN the mayor's daughter DUFFMEISTER the innkeeper MAYOR VON BRAUNDAME DUFFMEISTERa pompous official his wife DA!vffi VON BRAUNDEXTER...... DUFFMEISTER .. his wife their son, a teen-ager son~ BERTRAM VONDOROTHEA BRAUN .. theDUFFMEISTER mayor·s a teen-agera younger daughter BERNICE VON BRAUNKURT the mayor·sa young daughterward of the Duffrneister's DUFFMESTER the innkeeper FARMER SCHMIDT a simple man of the land DAME DUFFMEISTER ...... his wife THE PIPER a zesty young man DEXTER DUFFMEISTER their son, a teen-agee DOROTHEA DUFFMEISTER TIME:a youngerThe 13th daughterCentury. KURT a young ward of the Duffmeister's FARMER SCHMIDT PLACE: aIn simpleand around man ofthe thecity landof Hamelin. THE PIPER a zesty young man

TIME: The 13th Century.

PLACE: In and around the city of Hamelin.

MAYOR VON BRAUN: A pompous, self-centered of ficial, but capable of having a believable change-of-heart. DAME VON BRAUN: His wife, motherly, fey, not stupid, a great sense of warmth. BERTRAM VON BRAUN: The mayor's son, twelve nineteen. Intelligent and charming, but overpowered by the mayor. ADDITIONAL CHARACTERBERNICE VON NOTESBRAUN: The mayor's daughter, a lit tle youuger than her brother, pretty, bright and warm MAYOR VON BRAUl~:hearted. A pompous, self-centered of ficial~ but capable of having aDUFFMEISTER: believable change-of-heartThe innkeeper, not as intelligent as DAME VON BRAUN;the Hismayor, wife, butmotherlYtlike him fey,in nothis complete lack of uuder stupid, a great sense of warmth.standing the youug people. Bossy to those beneath him BERTRAM VON BRAUN:and obsequious The mayor~sto those son, twelveabove him, but also capable of a nineteen. Intelligent and change-of-heart.charmingt but overpowered by the mayor. DAME DUFFMEISTER: His wife, a social climber, BERNICE VON BRAUN:domineering, The mayor·sbrassy, daughter,but with a lithidden warmth. tle younger than her brother,DEXTER pretty, DUFFMEISTER:bright and warmTheir son, a quiet, fright hearted. ened lad very much like Bertram, and about his age. DUFFMEISTER: The innkeeper,DOROTHEA not asDUFFMEISTER:intelligent as A youuger daughter, the mayor, but like him painfullyin his completeshy, dominated lack of byunderher loud parents. standing the young people. KURT:Bossy toA thoseyouug beneathlad, a himward of the Duffmeister's, a and obsequious to those abovecripple, him,very butappealing. also capable of a change-of-heart. FARMER SCHMIDT: A simple uueducated man of the DAME DUFFMEISTER~land Hiswith wife,no political a socialor climber,social ambitions. domineering, brassy, but withTHE hiddenPIPER: warmth.A youug attractive man, warm with a DEXTER DUFFMEISTER:sense Theirof humor, son, aaclown quiet,and frighta friend. ened lad very much like Bertram, and about his age. DOROTHEA DUFFMEISTER: A younger daughter~ painfully shy, dominated by her loud parents. KURT: A young lad, a ward of the Duffmeister 9 s, a cripple, very appealing. FARMER SCHMIDT: A simple uneducated man of the land with no political or social ambitions. THE PIPER; A young attractive man. warm with a sense of humor. a clown and a friend

SCENE: Happy music is heard as the cunain rises. The stage is without scenery, except for a small platform SCENE: Happy music center,is hearddecorated as the curtainwith pennants. rises. Theif desired. and a sky stage is without scenery,drop inexceptback. forThere a smallare six platjorlnstools an the platform. The center, decorated withlighting pennants,suggests if desired,a bright andsunny a skyday. The action of the drop in back There playare sirtakes stoolsplace onin theand platform.around Thethe town of Hamelin in lighting suggests a brightthe 13th sunnycentury. day. TheKURT, actiona teen-age of the bay, is seated an play takes place in andanother aroundstool theat townone sideof Hamelinofthe stage. in He is carving on the 13th century. KURT,a small a pieceteen-ageof woadboy, withis seatedhis knife. on He works content another stool at one edlyside forofthea moment.stage. HeFrom is carvingthe ather on side of the stage a small piece o/woodBERTRAM with his knife.VON HeBRA worksUN, anothercontentteen-age boy enters. edly for a moment. HeFromis thetheMAYOR's other sidesan, of thean appealing,stage intelligent lad, BERTRAM VON BRAwho UN,at anotherthe moment teen-ageis carrying hoy enters.a fishing pale and line. He moves rather dreamily, stopping to practice casting He is the MAYOR·s son. an appealingJ intelligent ladJ who at the InOlnent theis carryingline and apantomiming fishing polea andcatch line.He laughs and KURT He moves rather drealnilYJsees him. stoppingThe twa to arepracticegreat castingfriends. KURT smiles and the line and pantomilningtaps hisa catchwood Heagainst laughsthe_ andstool KURT to attract attention. sees him. The two are great friends. KURT slniles and taps his wood againstBERTRAM the-stool(hearing to attractthe attentio1Ltap). Just a second, Kurt! (He again casts the line and quickly "lands' an enormous BERlRAM (hearing fish,the tap).which Justhe apretends second, toKurt!carry, (Hewith same difficulty, again casts the line overand toquicklyKURT. ~'lands"The music an enormousfades ou!.) Here. Ifs the larg fis~ which he pretendsest fIsh to carry,I ever caught.with someFantastic, di[ficulty~huh? (KURT smiles and over to KURT. The musicpretends fadesto out.)take theHere.fish Ifsand theexamine larg it.) You can give est fISh I ever caught.it Fantastic~to your master, huh? (KURTthe old smilesdevil. and(KURT frowns at this pretends to take the andfish BERTRAMand examinefrowns ita) Yauback.) canWell, give Duffineister is your it to your master, the old devil. (KURT frowns at this 5 and BERTRAMfrowns back.) Wells Duffmeister is your

PIPER. Well, 1 just did, didn't I? By the way, if Kurt is late for his slavery at the inn, it's my fault. 1 detained Page 10 PIED PIPER OFhim HAlvIELINin conversation. Part I DUFFMEISTER. Kurt can't converse. PlPER. Well, I just did, didn'tPIPER. 11 Doesn'tBy the matter.way~ if IKurtcan. isActually so can Kurt, you late for his slavery at thejust inn,can't it's myhear fault.him. IDragons detainedmust have bad ears. him in conversation. DUFFMEISTER. Very funny. DUFFMEISTER. Kurt can·tPIPER. converse.Good! You need a laugh. (A quick change.) Have PIPER. Doesn't matter. I can.you Actuallyheard about so canthe Kurt,rats? you just can't hear him. DragonsDUFFMEISTER. must have badRats? ears.What rats? 1 don't know auything DUFFMEISTER. Very funny.about rats. PIPER. Good! You need aPIPER. laugh. Kurt(A quickknows. change.)(Turns Haveto go, then turns back, still you heard about the rats? charming, but with an icy edge, too.) If you dare fetch DUFFMEISTER. Rats? Whata rats?stick I todon'tuse knowon my anythinggood friend here, I shall come about rats. roaring like an enraged devil and pipe you to the end of PIPER. Kurt knows. {Turns theto go)world! then(From turns hisbac~bag stillhe scatters glitter-or pow charming, but with an icy der-andedge, too.)there If youis adaregreat fetchroar heard which he mimes a stick to use on my goodto, friendlurching here,forward I shalljust comea little. Silence.) And you'd roaring like an enraged devilbetter andsee pipethat youhe tohas the aendgood of supper. (He salutes with the world! (From his baghis he pipescattersand glitter-orgoes. DUFFMEISTER pow and KURT stand der-and there is a greatdumbfounded) roar heard which he mimes to, lurching forward justDUFFMEISTER. a little. Silence.)Great Andday you"d in the moming! Who was that? better see that he has a good(KURT supper.shrugs.) (HeWhat's saluteshe withtalking about-rats? (But he his pipe and goes. DUFFMEISTERgoes on.) A andlunatic. KURTA ravingstand lunatic. Imagine, talking dumbfounded. ) to me that way! Well, if he ever shows his face around DUFFl\ffiISTER Great day inhere the againmorning!I'll Whohave wasthe mayorthat? toss him out on his ear. (KURT shrugs.) Whafs heNow, talkingback about-rats?to the inn! (ButWork heto do. We're going to in goes on.) A lunatic. A ravingvite thelunatic.mayor Imagine,and his talkingwife for supper, after the procla to me that way! Well, if hemation. ever showsProclamations his face aroundalways give the mayor a good here again I~ll have the mayorappetite. tossAs himfor outyou, on youhis ear.lazy scamp, I'll teach you to Now, back to the inn! Workloaf toaround, do. We"rewasting going myto intime. (The "roar· of the vite the mayor and his wifedragon for supper,is heard) afterWell, the proclamaybe I'll forgive you this time, mation. Proclamations always give the mayor a good appetite. As for you. you lazy scamp, 1·11 teach you to

loaf around. wasting my time. (The u Toar W of the dragon is heard) ~'ell, maybe Itn forgive you this time,

Kurt. Just this once. (As they go, KURT turns back aru1 smiles as ifto say "Thank you. " They exit.)

Part I PIED(The PIPERPIPER OF lU~runs in and looksPageoff after11 them. Then he jumps up on the platform and again takes a bir of glit Kurt. Just this once.ter from(As theyhis gOtbag KURTand scatters turns backit. Immediately, and thunder is

smiles as ifto sayheard, U Thankthe you.lights • 11leyflash exit.)and darken. As everything gets back to normal he speaks.) (The PIPER runs in and looks off after them. Then he jumps up on thePIPER. platformAnother and againlittle takessomething a bit offromglitmy bag of tricks. ter from his bag and(Imitating scattersDUFFMESITER) it. Immediately) thunder"I'm Herr is Duffmeister, the hear~ the lights hmkeeper,flash and darun.and when AsI everythingask a question, getsyou answer. Who back to normal heare speaks.)you? Some sort of vagabond?" Well, he wasn't far off-I do have a nice touch of ihe vagabond here and PIPER. Another littlethere. something"Or probably from mya baggypsy." of tricks.Another close guess, (Imitating DUFFMESITER.)what with my"'I·mgypsy Herr Duffmeister~ways. "An insolent, the stupid cur." Innkeeper~ and whenHe's I askoff atarget question,there, youway answer.off. IWhothink. (A bird starts are you? Some sortchirping, of vagabond?·'off. He listens, Well, henods, wasnshakes9 t farhis head, reacts.) off-I do have a Db-huh.nice touchSure. of 1batilie vagabondmakes sense. hereHmm. and No! (One jinal there. "Or probablybig chirp.)a gypsy."1banics. AnotherThanics closea lot. guess~(Now he seems bent what with my gypsyon action.) ways. Is"'Anwhere insolent,I aln wherestupid Icur.·· should be!? The little HeOJs off target there,bird andwayI agree!of[ I think.(He jumps (A birddown startsand hides in back of chirping, off. He thelistens,platform.) nods) shakes his head~ reacts.) Db-huh. Sure. TIlat makes sense. Hmm. No! (One final big chirp.) Thanks.(The ThanksMAYOR a lot.and (NowDAME he seemsVON BRAUNbent enter on one on action.) Is whereside I ofamthe wherestage.) I should be!? The little bird and I agree! (He jUlnps down and hides in back of the platform.) MAYOR. Are we ready? DAME VON BRAUN. I think so, dear. (The MAYOR MAYOR.and DAMEWhere's VON BRAUNBertnun? enter on one side ofthe stage.)DAME VON BRAUN. He must be somewhere, don't you think? Here he is! MAYOR. Are we ready? DAME VON BRAUN. I think so, dear. MAYOR. Where·s Bertram? DAME VON BRA.UN. He must be somewhere, don·t you think? Here he is!

(BERTRAM enters.)

MAYOR And your sister? Where's she? DAME VON BRAUN. Bernice, dear? Page 12 PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN Part I (BERNICE enters.) (BERTRAM enters.) MAYOR. Get the key to the treasury-and my hat-and MAYOR And yom sister? Where'shurry! she? DAME VON BRAUN. Bernice,BERTRAM. dear? Poppa, there's something I should tell you MAYOR. Don't bother me. I'm concentrating. (BERNICE enters.) BERTRAM. But, Poppa...if you'd only listen... MAYOR. Stop jabbering. My key-my hat- MAYOR. Get the key to BERTRAM.the treasury-andBut, Poppa, my hat-andI've got to tell you about the rats. hurry! MAYOR. Right now; march! (BERTRAM and BERNICE BERTRAM. Pappa, there~s somethinggo.) What Ia shouldnuisance tell theyyouare-what a bother! MAYOR. Don~t bother me.DAME I'm concentrating.VON BRAUN. Did he say "rats"? BERTRAM. But, Poppa.. .ifMAYOR you~d onlyNever listenmind.... MAYOR. Stop jabbering. My key-my hat- BERTRAM. But. Poppa, I·ve (Asgot tothe tellMAYOR you aboutand theDAME rats. VON BRAUN exit on one MAYOR. Right now; march!side (BERTRAMDUFFMEISTER and BERNICEand DAME DUFFMEISTER en go.) What a nuisance they terare-whaton the other a bother!side. The PIPER pops up to let us know DAME VON BRAUN. Did hehe sayis overhearing "rats"? these little scenes.) MAYOR. Never mind. DUFFMElSTER (as lhey enter). It's nearly time for the (As the MAYOR and DAMEproclamation-Then VON BRAUN exitthe onmayor's one supper. side DUFFMEISTER andDAME DAMEDUFFMEISTER DUFFMEISTER. .lfthey en accept. ter on the other side. TheDUFFMEISTER. PIPER pops up Freeto letfood, us knowthey'll accept. he is overhearing these linle scenes.) (DEXTER and DOROTHEA enter, sheepish and fright DUFFMEISTER (as they enter).ened.) If's nearly time for the proclamation-Then. the mayor"s supper. DAME DUFFMEISTER. Ifthey accept.

DUFFMEISTER. Free food t they'll accept.

(DEXTER and DOll.OTHEA. enter, sheepish and fright ened.)

DUFFMElSIER. Well, Dorothea, have you finished scrub bing? DAME DUFFMEISTER. And cleaning? DUFFMEISTER. And marketing? DAME DUFFMElSTER. Your face is dirty, Dexter. Go wash. Part I PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN Page 13 DUFFMEISTER. There isn't time. The mayor will be pro

claimingDorothea~his proclamation in a moment-we've got to DUFFMEISTER. Wellt have you finished scrub bing? hurry-lazy loafers-if your chores are not fInished DAME DUFF1vfEISTER.you'll Andget cleaning?no supper! DUFFMEISTER. AndDAME marketing?DUFFMEISTER. Lazy loafers-march! DUFFME1STER. I'll see that Kurt is kept husy during the DAME DUFFMEISTER. Your face is dirty, Dexter. Go proclamation. wash. DAME DUFFMElSTER. March! (The DUFFMEISTERS DUFFMEISTER. There isn ~t time. The mayor will be pro all exit.) claiming his proclamation in a moment-wetlve got to hurry-lazy loafers-if your chores are not fmished (PIPER pops up in back ofthe plntform.) you·ll get no supper! DAME DUFFMEISTER. Lazy loafers-march! PIPER. Something's very wrong in Hamelin. In case you DUFFMEISTER. I~ll see that Kurt is kept busy during the didn't notice. proclamation. DAME DUFFMEISTER. March! (The DUFFMEISTERS all exit.) (DUFFMEISTER, DAME DUFFMEISTER, the MAYOR and DAME VON BRA UN re-enter on opposite sides and turn back to call off) (PIPER pops up in back ofthe platform.)

DUFFMEISTER and MAYOR (calling off). Well, we're PIPER. Something·s very wrong in Hamelin. In case you waiting! didntt notice. DUFFMEISTER (calling off). Mind your manners! MAYOR (calling off). Don't forget to applaud. (DUFFMEISTER DAME DUFFMEISTER, the MAYOR and DAME VONDUFFMEISTER BRA UN re-enterand on MAYORopposite sides(calling and off). Hurry up! turn back to call off.)

DUFFMEISlER and MAYOR (calling off). Well, we~re waiting! DUFFMEISTER (calling off). Mind your manners! MAYOR (calling off). Don·t forget to applaud. DUFFMEISTER and MAVOR (calling o./J). Hurry up!

(The CHIWREN enter and the FAMIliES line up on either side of the stage. BERTRAM gives the MAYOR Page 14 PIED PIPERhis OFhat HAMELINand key.) Part I

(The CHILDREN enterADULTS and the(after FAMIliESline-up, linethe PARENTSup on turn to their CHIL eitMr side of the stage.DREN). BERTRAMKEEP givesOUT the OFMAYORTHE WAY! (They parade his hat and key.) across to center.) MAYOR (pompous, showy). Look, my dear, it's the inn ADULTS (after line-up, thekeeper PARENTSand his turnwife. to their CHIL DREN). KEEP OUTDAME OF VONTHE BRAUN.WAYl (TheyI think paradeyou're right. across to center.) MAYOR. Of course I'm right! I'm always right! I'm the MAYOR (pompous, ShOltV)').mayor! Loo~ my dear, ifs the inn keeper and his wife. DUFFMEISTER (now very obsequious before an author DAME VON BRAUN. I thinkity). Andyou·rea better right. mayor one could not fmd. Why, all of MAYOR. Of course I·m Hamelinright! I'm... always right! I'm the mayor! DAME DUFFMEISTER. Bows in gratitude for your good DUFFMEISTER (now veryworks, obsequiousgood mayor. before(She an authorbows, nudges DUFFMEISTER ity). And a better mayorand onehe, couldtoo, notbows.) fmd. Why, all of Hamelin... DUFFMEISTER. And we sincerely hope that you and DAJvffi DUFFMEISTER. yourBowsbeautiful in gratitudewife for... your good works, good mayor. DAME(She hoM,DUFFMEISTER nudges DUFFMEISTER(she's a pusher). Will join us at and he, too, bows.) our humble inn for supper after the proclamation. DUFFMEISTER. AndDAME we sincerelyVON BRAUN. hope thatHow younice. and your beautiful wife...MAYOR. We accept. DAME DUFFMEISTERDUFFMEISTER. (she·s a pusher).Did Willyou joinhear, us myat dove! Our great and our humble inn for suppergracious after themayor proclamation.... DAME VON BRAUN. DAMEHow nice.DUFFMEISTER. Has accepted our invitation! Of MAYOR. We accept. course I hear. My soul takes wing! DUFFMEISTER. Did youMAYOR. hear, myTime dove!for Ourmy greatproclamation! and (The CHILDREN gracious mayor... get the stools and place them in two diagonals on DAME DUFFMEISTER. eitherHas acceptedside of theourcenter invitation!platform.) Of course I hear. My soulDAME takes VONwing! BRAUN. Time for his proclamation! Isn't it MAYOR. Time for my proclamation!exciting? Hark! (The CHILDREN get the stools and place theln in nvo diagonals on either side ofthe center platform.) DAME VON BRAUN. Time for his proclamation! Isn·t it exciting? Hark!