Cast:
Kasper (or Prince)
Wizard (or Witch)
Princess (or Gretel)
Dragon Vinni (or Grandmother or a HABA hand-puppet monster)
Note: The story can be easily adapted depending on which characters are available. In this version the Princess is turned into a dragon, but it could just as well be the grandmother or another character. A few suggestions are shown above in brackets.
The play to act out
Kasper:
Tri-tra-trullala, Kasper is back again. (gets tangled in the curtain and can no longer see) Oh, hello, what's that? Heeelp!! Can anyone hear me?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
Oh! I can hear children! But I can't see anything. Hello, where are you?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
(struggles out of the curtain) Hello children, ah, now I can see you. Phew, that was tiring. What a pesky curtain. But now we can begin. Would you like to hear an exciting story?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
Imagine: the Princess was enchanted once and I rescued her. (pauses briefly) What, you don't believe me?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
Yes! Yesssss! Honestly. Watch closely and you'll see! (exits)
Princess:
(comes on stage) Oh, what a lovely day! The sun is shining and I'm out for a walk. Oh, who is that? Are you children?
(the children reply)
Wizard:
(peeks around a corner of the stage and watches what happens)
Princess:
Oh children, that's good. I'm out on my own. There's no one around …
Wizard:
(comes on stage) Good day, Princess!
Princess:
(jumps back in surprise) Oh, hello! Who are you? (to the children) Do you know him? Who is that?
(the children reply)
Wizard:
I'm the great wizard Verschwindefix. I'm brilliant at magic and can transform anything I want.
Princess:
(astonished) I'd love to see that.
Wizard:
(laughs and nods) No problem, then watch closely, little Princess. (He raises the wand/hand and intones) Hocus-pocus-vanish-fixi-crash … the Princess will turn into a dragon!
(the Princess disappears and the Dragon appears)
Dragon Vinni:
(frightened) Oh no! What's happening to me? Where are my arms and my blond hair? Where is my pretty dress? And my crown? What am I now?
(the children reply)
Wizard:
Yes, exactly! You are now a dragon – hahaha! And you've all seen how good I am at magic. (exits)
Dragon Vinni:
(crying) Oh children, what will I do now? Who could help me? Oh, I know: Kasper! Will you help me call Kasper?
(the children call for Kasper)
Kasper:
(comes on stage) Who called me? Children, was that you?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
(sees the dragon and is frightened) Heeelp! A green monster! Oh dear, oh my!! Where did that come from?
Dragon Vinni:
(speaks reassuringly) Oh Kasper. It's me, your friend, the Princess.
Kasper:
Nooo! My Princess isn't green. And she has a prettier mouth. And a nicer nose. And: (he shudders) Yuk, she doesn't smell like you!
Dragon Vinni:
Yesss! Please, Kasper, believe me! Children, will you help me?
(the children reply)
Dragon Vinni:
Am I the Princess?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
But children, the Princess looks completely different.
Dragon Vinni:
I was enchanted by the evil wizard Verschwindenix.
Kasper:
Oh dear, children, tell me, is that true?
(the children reply)
Kasper:
Hmm, the evil wizard! Well, then we'll have to outsmart him together and turn the Princess back. So, you dragon-princess, hide behind the curtain. (Dragon-princess off) And you, children, help me call the wizard.
(the children reply)
Wizard:
(comes on stage) Ha, who's shouting so loudly? Oh, Kasper. Hello, my dear friend!
Kasper:
(in an exaggerated voice) Ah, there he is, the biiiiig wizard. Imagine: there was a strange dragon claiming to be a Princess. Now he's hiding behind the curtain because he's ashamed. But, oh biiiiig wizard, I bet you can't turn a dragon into a Princess, can you?
Wizard:
(turns to the curtain) Of course I can! Watch, Kasper! Vanish-nix-vanish-bux-vanish-flux-vanish-hin … the dragon will become the Princess!
(Kasper pokes his head behind the curtain and carries the unconscious Princess onto the stage)
Kasper:
Oh, indeed, there's the Princess again! But you, you nasty old wizard – off with you! The children told me everything. I know you enchanted the Princess! Off! Off!
(the children shout with Kasper)
Wizard:
(offended) No one appreciates how brilliant I am at magic! I'd rather go home. (exits)
(the free hand slips into the Princess hand puppet on the stage)
Princess:
(sits up and rubs her head) Oh dear, my head hurts! (astonished) Oh, my hands are back … and my dress … and my crown! Kasper, you are the best. Thank you so, so, so much for saving me! (She hugs Kasper)
Kasper:
Ah, that wasn't hard at all! Besides, the children helped me so well!
Princess:
Thank you, children!
Kasper:
Right, Princess, now we should go to my house. My grandmother has baked a big cake and I'm absolutely starving!
Kasper and Princess:
So, bye children! Until next time!
