Poetry Theater
A poem in three voices
Adapted from the poem by Kenn Nesbitt in My Hippo Has the Hiccups, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
Summary: Prince Charming visits Rapunzel to find that she has cut off her long hair.
Presentation Suggestions: Have the students read or perform the poem in front of the class. Have the students act out the different lines while they read them.
Props: A short pink wig and a rope for Rapunzel, and a crown and a stick horse for Prince Charming, if available.
Delivery: The lines of the poem should be read with poetic rhythm. For tips on reciting poetry, please read this post about How to Recite a Poem Like an Expert.
Characters:
Rapunzel
Prince Charming
Narrator
Rapunzel! Rapunzel
Prince Charming:
“Rapunzel! Rapunzel! You’ve cut off your hair!
Your billowing tresses are no longer there.
That mohawk you’re sporting is spiky and pink.
I’m really not certain just what I should think.
“I came here expecting to clamber a braid,
ascending your tower to come to your aid.
Instead I have suffered the greatest of shocks
to find that you’ve cut off your lovely blonde locks.”
Rapunzel:
“Prince Charming, Prince Charming,”
Narrator:
Rapunzel replied,
Rapunzel:
“I have no intention of being your bride.
We will not get married. We will not elope.
I’ve cut off my hair and I’ve braided a rope.
“You came here to visit me once every day,
and promised that soon you would take me away,
but you were too clueless to even conceive
of cutting my hair off so we could just leave.
“I cannot believe you were such a big dope.
I come and I go as I please with my rope.
And so, I’m afraid I can’t give you my hand.
In spite of the fabulous wedding you planned.”
Narrator:
From then on Rapunzel was known through the land.
She toured the world in a rock and roll band.
And silly Prince Charming, with rocks in his head,
rode off and got married to Snow White instead.
THE END!
Copyright © 2009 by Kenn Nesbitt. Adapted from the poem by Kenn Nesbitt in My Hippo Has the Hiccups, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.
Permission is given for individual school classes to perform this play and to make as many copies of the play as are needed for the students’ use. All other reproduction and performance is prohibited. For use of this play outside individual classes, please contact me for permission.
