Bremen Town Musicians

[glynndah]

I've been "commissioned/volunteered" to adapt The Bremen Town Musicians as a puppet show with about 15 puppeteers and 15 "voices". These are 4th graders (basically 10 year olds). Any ideas for critters and the reasons they might be on the road to Bremen?

 

[Xelebes]

I have no idea what this piece is...

 

[fieryjen]

Aw, cute Let me think about it... I may be able to come up with something. Do you have any examples, to set the mood, maybe?

 

[drksideofthemoon]

A moose...on his way to the annual Moose Lodge meeting...

 

[glynndah]

Basic outline of story:

Out-dated animals meet along the road and decide to go to Bremen Town to become musicians. Adventures ensue.

Characters

Hound dog that won't hunt anymore (rural southern Illinois )
Chicken that no longer lays eggs
Cat that won't catch mice
Cow that doesn't give milk
Horse that is too old to ride

I have no idea what kind of puppets they are talking about. The kids saw a puppet show before Christmas and that's what "special program" they chose to do. It should be a lot of fun.

 

[champagne1982]

Originally the story was about a donkey, dog, cat and a rooster. There are four characters.

Then you have the four (or five) humans who persecute the critters, the miller, the hunter, the farm wife and the cook (you could write in the mistress of the house).

Don't forget the criminals the musicians terrify. You could make this a gang of four or five depending on how many are needed.

I'm sure there could be a narrator and of course you could have roles for a pig and a cow musician.

The Bremen Town Musicians

Have fun

 

[TE999]

As I recall, there was a donkey in the group that thought his bray was a beautiful voice. There's another character for you.

A rooster that can't crow would be another one.

I think it's nice that you are helping the children with this project.

 

[glynndah]

It should be fun. Last year's project was a rain forest play. I made alligator hats, butterfly wings and other cool stuff. I used to do a lot of work with a local children's theatre group. I'm pretty good with improvised costumes. I have a feeling I'll be making sock puppets soon.

 

[Weird Harold]

I've been "commissioned/volunteered" to adapt The Bremen Town Musicians as a puppet show with about 15 puppeteers and 15 "voices". These are 4th graders (basically 10 year olds). Any ideas for critters and the reasons they might be on the road to Bremen?

For a list of animals that might be found on the road, I'd go through all of the verses of Old Mcdonald Had A Farm -- plus the "villians" from the original Bremen town musician story. You should be able to come up with 15 characters at least.

As for why they're on the road, most farm animals face a stewpot at the end of their useful lives, so I think that should be sufficient reason for them to hit the road.

 

[Darla_Darling]

I've been "commissioned/volunteered" to adapt The Bremen Town Musicians as a puppet show with about 15 puppeteers and 15 "voices". These are 4th graders (basically 10 year olds). Any ideas for critters and the reasons they might be on the road to Bremen?

God, that story always gave me the heebie jeebies for some reason.

In any case, if you're gonna do it, it has to have a donkey in it, and that just goes without saying.

Edited to say: My post sounded sort of negative. I think what you're doing is awesome, and I would love to see photos of the finished product! I don't know why the story scared me as a kid.