PPPP RRRR EEEE VVVV IIII EEEE WWWW

SNOW WHITE AND ROSE RED

A Play for Young Audiences

by Madge Millerby Madge Millerby Madge Millerby Madge Miller

Note: A performance license is needed to perform this version of SNOW WHITE ASNOW WHITE ASNOW WHITE ASNOW WHITE AND ND ND ND ROSE RED. ROSE RED. ROSE RED. ROSE RED. No performance of this version can be performed without it. To obtain a license, and other information, visit: www.ClassicYouthPlays.com

Copyright 2014 Classic Youth Plays

ISBN 978-1-304-76586-4

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or yet be to invented, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system.

Classic Youth Plays

For a New Generation

www.ClassicYouthPlays.com

Snow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose Red

2

Madge MillerMadge MillerMadge MillerMadge Miller was a prolific childrens theatre author having written over 40 plays including Robinson Crusoe, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and Snow While and Rose Red. For many years she wrote and directed for the professional theatre company Knickerty-Knockerty Players where many of her plays premiered. In 1970 she was awarded the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Award for her body of work as a childrens theatre playwright. Her plays continue to be produced across the country as well as abroad.

Snow White and Rose Red

3

Cast of CharactersCast of CharactersCast of CharactersCast of Characters (3 F, 3M)

Blanchette (Snow White)

Rosalie (Rose Red)

Felice Bonheur, their Mother

Philippe (Bear)

Dolphe, the Evil Troll

Pierre (Fish)

Scene 1Scene 1Scene 1Scene 1

A cozy, small French cottage

Scene 2Scene 2Scene 2Scene 2 A woodland area, early Spring

Scene 3Scene 3Scene 3Scene 3

The cottage

Scene 4Scene 4Scene 4Scene 4 The woodland

Scene 5Scene 5Scene 5Scene 5

Another part of the woodland

Scene 6Scene 6Scene 6Scene 6 The cottage

Snow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose Red

4

Scene 1Scene 1Scene 1Scene 1 A cozy, small French cottage with a hearth. It is a cold morning. FELICE BONHEUR, mother of the two girls, sits sewing while her daughter BLANCHETTE stands at the window throwing crumbs to the birds. FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Snow White, my darling, close the shutters quickly, or we two shall freeze.

How cold the wind is!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Yes, Mother. There! The last crumb to the last small hungry bird! (Closing the shutters.) They watch for me to feed them, for they know I love them.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Why, of course they do, dear. And all the creatures of this forest know and love you and your sister Rose Red. I have taught you never to hurt or fear them.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Weve ridden on the backs of deer, and fed wild rabbits cabbage leaves from our fingers!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Even when Rose Red is out, as she is now, taking sewing I have done to this neighbor or to that, Im not worried for her safety. Remember, nothing in the forest will ever harm you or her.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Rose Red will be back shortly, wont she? Youll begin to read us a new story tonight, wont you, Mother?

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Yes, my dear, as soon as your sister is back. Find the book and well sit down beside the fire together.

(FELICE exits while SNOW WHITE gets a book. DOLPHE can be hear singing.)

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE (Offstage singing.) La-la-la-la-la!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Mother!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. (Offstage.) Yes?

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Do you hear it?

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. (Entering without basket.) What, darling?

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Something like a singing. (Pointing at hearth.) Its down there. Do listen!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. I am listening, but theres nothing, Snow White, truly. You hear the wind. It sighs like a voice through the great bending trees.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. No, Mother, not the wind, for that never frightens me.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. But there is nothing underneath these boards save earth and rock and what was once an old cave, long forgotten. No, there was no one singing. It was just the wind.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. II dont think so, Mother.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. (Brightening.) Now I do hear something! Rose Reds step. Run and let your sister in.

Snow White and Rose Red

5

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Oh. good! (A knock at the door.) Coming! (Opening door, the sound of the wind rushing into the room.) Hello, Rosalie!

(ROSE RED enters in a rush.)

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Blanchette! Mother dear! How good it is to get back home! My toes and ears are tingling! (Drawing money from a pocket in her skirt.) Heres the money for your sewing, Mother, and they want more pieces.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Splendid! Oh, if only I had four hands

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. If we two could only help you!

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Yes, I hate to see you grow so tired.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. No one ever had two better daughters! Isnt it Snow White who scrubs the kettles till they gleam like gold? And Rose Red who pulls up the weeds and keeps the garden blooming in the spring?

SSSSNOW WHITENOW WHITENOW WHITENOW WHITE. How far away spring seems now with the coldness all about us!

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. The stream is frozen over like a shining mirror. I stepped out upon it! (Mysteriously.) And yet, underneath the ice, what do you think I saw ?

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. The golden fish that follows you along the banks!

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. It was! Im sure of it.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. (Indulgently.) Or else a sunbeam.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. No, no! My fish! But, do you know, Mother, Im afraid the rose trees by the door are quite, quite dead? I looked at them as I came in. So black and leafless!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Our two rose trees? But they musnt die!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Theyll bloom again, never fear, my children, one with snow-white roses for my sweet Blanchette

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Is that why you call me Snow White, Mother?

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Yes, dear, for the snow-white roses. And your name Blanchette means little white one too.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Just as my tree has rose-red roses, and my name is Rosale

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. And so I call you my Rose Red. But never think that spring- -will not be here, and with it warmth and life for every grooving thing.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. And the two rose-trees will bloom, Im sure of it, when spring comes back again!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Now shall we have a story?

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Yes!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Oh, yes!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. (Picking up the book from the table.) Perhaps Rapunzel who let down her golden hair from a tower window so that her dear prince might climb up by it.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Yes, read that one.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Her dear prince! How I should like to meet a prince!

Snow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose Red

6

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. In this lonely forest? Little goose! Princes live in great stone castles dressed in furs and silks

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. The castles?

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. No, silly! And wear crowns and jewels

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. And climb up Rapunzes golden hair?

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. The story

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE . Yes, Mother, do begin, please.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Now then, listen well. Once upon a time there was a little girl named Rapunzel, who grew into the most beautiful child under the sun. When she was twelve years old, an enchantress shut her into a tower, which lay in a forest, and had neither stairs nor door, but quite at the top was a little window. When the enchantress wanted to go in, she placed herself beneath it and cried! Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair to me.

(There is a knock at the door.)

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. A knock!

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. So late!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Rose Red, open the door, please, quickly. It must be some traveler seeking shelter.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Ill stir up the fire. He will be cold.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. (Opening the door.) Good evening, sir. Have you lost your way? Come in and take that heavy fur coatfur coat

(A large black BEAR enters the wind howling behind him.)

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. But I cant. How gladly would I rid myself

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED (Backing away, leaving door open.) A bear!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. A bear!

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. Dont be afraid. I wouldnt harm you for the world. Im half frozen, and only wish to warm myself a little.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. My poor bear, lie down by the fire. (Closing door.) You are more than welcome.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. But take care you dont burn your fur.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Its caked with snow. Shall I brush it for you?

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. Why, I should be honored.

FELFELFELFELICEICEICEICE. Heres a brush. Go gently, Rose Red.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Should you like it if I combed your ears?

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. Please do, my child. I cannot call you by your name to thank you.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. I am Madame Bonheur, and these are my two daughters Blanchette and Rosalie.

SNOSNOSNOSNOW WHITEW WHITEW WHITEW WHITE. But Mother calls me Snow White

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. And me, Rose Red, after the rose trees by the door.

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Have you a name, bear?

Snow White and Rose Red

7

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. (Hesitating.) WhyI did once, but not now.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Never mind. We shall give yon one. Ill think of it soon!

SNOWSNOWSNOWSNOW WHITE WHITE WHITE WHITE. You are shivering, bear. Let me tuck this blanket all about you.

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. But I see your mother has a book beside her. Was she reading to you? Pray dont stop. I shall listen too.

FELICAFELICAFELICAFELICA I have a better thought. Perhaps you will tell us a story.

ROSE ROSE ROSE ROSE REDREDREDRED. Yes, a new one!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. (Putting blanket over him.) Something you have seen or heard in all your wanderings.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Do you know a story?

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. With perhaps a prince in it?

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Snow White, what would our friend, the bear, know of princes?

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. But I can tell a story, with not lust one prince but two!

RO SE REDRO SE REDRO SE REDRO SE RED. Tell us, tell us!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Please!

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. Very well, then. Here it is. First, imagine if you can a splendid castle made of marble, with its pillars of pure gold and silver, set with precious stones.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Oh, I cant imagine it! I simply cant!

FELICEFELICEFELICEFELICE. Look into the flames, my darlings. Often you can see a picture there.

(The lights dim until only the firelight remains.)

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. And next imagine two young brothers, princes both, Philippe the elder, and Pierre the younger, ruling their great kingdom side by side.

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. Yes, yes, I can imagine that!

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. I can almost see them!

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. But then imagine that an evil troll who sought to steal their treasures captured both the kingdom and the castle by his witchcraft.

ROSE REDROSE REDROSE REDROSE RED. Ohhhh!

SNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITESNOW WHITE. How dreadful!

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. And so evil was he that he hated every living mortal. This is what he used to say.

(The scrim backing of the fire-place is lighted from behind so that the scene in the fireplace becomes visible. DOLPHE, the evil troll, crouches there. He is small and stooped, with long gray hair and whiskers.)

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. (In a high, petulant, rasping voice.) I wont rest, no, I wont until Ive found each precious stone and piece of gold or silver taken from my earth, and brought it back where it belongs! Into my cave theyll go, back underground, and as for people, Ill destroy each one I can! Now with my magic powers Ive thrown enchantment over all this kingdom. Even the castle lies asleep and still, and every ruby, diamond, pearlthe gold and silver columns toowill soon be carried to my cave by my thousand helpers. (Frowning angrily.) But the two young monarchs, Prince Philippe and Prince Pierrethey have escaped me! (Growling.) Ahhhh!

Snow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose RedSnow White and Rose Red

8

Why, theyve gone into the forest with a sack of gold, a bag of pearls, and a box of rubies. Mine! All mine! I must seek them out. I must take these treasures too! I must destroy them. Mortals! Ugh! Oh, how I hate them! Grrr!

(With a last hop and growl, he darts off. The lights go down behind the scrim. During DOLPHES speech PHILIPPE has slipped out of the bear costume, which the girls continue to brush and comb, and gone backstage through a. swinging flat at one side of the fireplace. PRINCE PIERRE, in dazzling red and gold costume, appears behind the scrim. The lights come up strongly on him.)

BEARBEARBEARBEAR. (Offstage.) In the forest, Prince Pierre kept watch for the wicked dwarf while Philippe hid their few remaining treasures.

PIERREPIERREPIERREPIERRE. I wish Philippe would hurry back! The evil troll is sure to overtake us with his magic powers if we tarry here. (Placing his hand on his sword.) Yet if he comes, perhaps my sword will find his he-art before he harms us.

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. (Appearing suddenly.) He-he! You think so? (Waving his long bread at him.) But you cannot draw your sword, can you, Prince Pierre?

PIERREPIERREPIERREPIERRE. No-no, I cantit wont

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. Nor can you move. Your feet are rooted firm against the earth, your hands are frozen.

PIERREPIERREPIERREPIERRE. What will you do with us?

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. Where is your brother? Does he have the gold and jewels? Answer, does he?

PIERREPIERREPIERREPIERRE. I have no answer for you, monster. (Calling.) Philippe, come no nearer. Save yourself.

(PHILIPPE enters with drawn sword. DOLPHE waives his beard at him.)

PHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPE. Ahh! Now I too am caught! We cannot fight against your witchcraft, troll, but we can bargain with you. Free our subjects, whom youve thrown into a sleep, and I shall tell you where I hid the treasure.

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. Bargains? He-he! No, poor Prince Philippe, I do not need to bargain. Tell me where the gold, the pearls, the rubies areor I shall kill you instantly.

PHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPE. Then you will never know, for they are hidden well!

DOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHEDOLPHE. (Hopping up and down in rage.) Thieves! Scoundrels! You defy me? Then lose the shape of men! (At his gestures, Philippe and Pierre back away respectively.) Henceforth as creatures of the woods and sea live on until you choose to give to me what properly is mine! (Sinisterly.) And if you tell a living soul your rightful names, you shall vanish entirely. Mortals! Ugh! I hate them all! (Making gestures.) Ha! So the magic works!

PHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPEPHILIPPE. (Offstage.) Brother! Oh, Pierre, I am changing!

(During the fallowing speeches, PHILIPPE slips out through and creeps into the bear costume which SNOW WHITE and ROSE RED help him adjust under cover of darkness.)

PIERREPIERREPIERREPIERRE. (Offstage.) And I too, Philippe! My legs become a tail! My arms grow shorter and shorter. I cannot walk. I am a man no longer!