Characters:
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 play the princess is turned into a dragon, but it could just as well be the grandmother or another character. A few suggestions are listed above in parentheses.
The play to act out
Kasper:
Tri-tra-trullala, Kasper is back now. (gets tangled in the curtain and can no longer see) Oh, hello, what's that? Heeelp!! Can anyone hear me?
(the children answer)
Kasper:
Oh! I hear children! But I can't see anything. Hello, where are you?
(the children answer)
Kasper:
(struggles out of the curtain) Hello children, ah, now I can see you. Phew, that was exhausting. What a nasty curtain. But now we can start. Do you want to hear an exciting story?
(the children answer)
Kasper:
Imagine: The princess was once enchanted and I rescued her. (pauses briefly) What, you don't believe me?
(the children answer)
Kasper:
But yes! Yessss! Honestly. Watch closely and you'll see it! (exits)
Princess:
(enters the stage) Oh, what a lovely day! The sun is shining today so I'm taking a walk. Oh, who is that? Are you children?
(the children answer)
Wizard:
(peeks around a corner of the stage and watches what happens)
Princess:
Ah, children, that's good. Because I'm out here all alone. No one to be seen …
Wizard:
(enters the stage) Good day, Princess!
Princess:
(jumps aside in surprise) Oh, hello! Who are you? (to the children) Do you know him? Who is that?
(the children answer)
Wizard:
I am the great wizard Verschwindefix. I'm really good at magic and can transform anything I want.
Princess:
(astonished) I'd like to see that.
Wizard:
(laughs and nods) No problem, then watch, little princess. (He raises the wand/hand and intones) Hocus-pocus-verschinde-fixi-krachen … the princess will become a dragon!
(the princess disappears and the dragon appears)
Dragon Vinni:
(alarmed) Oh no! What's happening to me? Where are my arms and my blond hair? Where is my beautiful dress? And my crown? What am I now?
(the children answer)
Wizard:
Yes, exactly! You are a dragon now – hahaha! And you all saw how well I can do magic. (exits)
Dragon Vinni:
(cries) Oh, children, what am I to do now? Who could help me? Oh, I know: Kasper! Will you help me call Kasper?
(the children call Kasper)
Kasper:
(enters the stage) Who called me? Children, was that you?
(the children answer)
Kasper:
(sees the dragon and is startled) Heeelp! A green monster! Oh dear, goodness!! Where did that come from?
Dragon Vinni:
(speaks soothingly) Oh Kasper. It's me, your friend, the princess.
Kasper:
Nooo! My princess is not green. And she has a prettier mouth. And a nicer nose. And: (he shakes himself) Yuck, she doesn't stink like you!
Dragon Vinni:
But please, Kasper, believe me! Children, will you help me?
(the children answer)
Dragon Vinni:
Am I the princess?
(the children answer)
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 answer)
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 exits) And you, children, help me call the wizard.
(the children answer)
Wizard:
(enters the stage) Ha, who's calling so loudly? Oh, Kasper. Hello my dear friend!
Kasper:
(in an exaggerated voice) Ah, there he is, the biiig wizard. Imagine: just now there was a strange dragon here claiming to be a princess. Now he's hiding behind the curtain because he's ashamed. But, oh biiig 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! Verschwinde-nix-verschwinde-bux-verschwinde-flux-verschwinde-hin … the dragon will become the princess!
(Kasper sticks 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 — go away! The children told me everything. I know that you enchanted the princess! Get out! Get out!
(the children shout with Kasper)
Wizard:
(indignantly) Nobody appreciates how great I am at magic! I'd rather go home then. (exits)
(the free hand slips into the princess hand puppet on the stage)
Princess:
(sits down and rubs her head) Oh, ow, my head hurts! (astonished) Oh, my hands are back … and my dress … and my crown! Kasper, you are the best. Thank you very, very, very much for saving me! (She hugs Kasper)
Kasper:
Oh, that wasn't hard at all! Besides, the children helped wonderfully!
Princess:
Thank you, children!
Kasper:
So, Princess, now we should go to my house. My grandmother baked a big cake and I'm very hungry now!
Kasper and Princess:
Bye, children! See you next time!
