The Pied Piper

The Pied Piper is the twisted fairy tale about the town of Hamelin. The townsfolk must think of a way to deal with a terrible problem – a rat infestation! When the Mayor is unable to find a way to get rid of the pests, they call upon the Pied Piper. The trouble is, The Pied Piper is nowhere to be found! The narrator’s mom arrives just in time and jumps in to help. Armed with nothing but a healthy casserole, a toothbrush, and a bedtime story, this unlikely Pied Piper may be the only chance they’ve got to save the village! A hilarious fairy tale for young children!

Andy Pavey is a commissioned playwright, who writes short plays for Drama Notebook. He is a student who attends UWC-USA. He previously spent nine years with Davenport Junior Theatre, the second-oldest children’s theatre in the United States, where he acted in productions, managed the props building, and wrote plays for young actors to perform. In addition to writing, Andy is an avid backpacker!

Excerpt from the play:

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Narrator
Mayor
Villager 1
Villager 2
Rat 1
Rat 2
Mom

At rise: The MAYOR, VILLAGERS, and RATS are spread throughout the stage. The NARRATOR is secluded from the rest of the CAST, but will become an important and involved character later on.

NARRATOR
Long, long ago, the town of Hamelin was struck with a terrible problem.

MAYOR
Help! We’ve been struck with a terrible problem! (A beat) Wait, what’s the problem again?

VILLAGER 2
There’s a rat infestation. Obviously.

The RATS scurry onstage suddenly, then stand on opposite sides of the MAYOR.

VILLAGER 1
Call an exterminator! What are you waiting for?!

RAT 1 (attempting to convince the MAYOR)
Are you kidding? No way you’re going to be able to afford that.

RAT 2 (attempting to convince the MAYOR)
And all those hidden fees… It’s going to be a nightmare to get a good bargain.

NARRATOR
I hate to be that guy, but since it was long, long ago, exterminators didn’t even exist yet. (to the MAYOR) Sorry.

MAYOR
Way to make things complicated for us, dude.

VILLAGER 1
He’s a Narrator. It’s what they do.

MAYOR
Well, what’s the next best thing?

VILLAGER 2
A knight in shining armor?

VILLAGER 1
A powerful wizard with a book of spells? Preferably anti-rodent ones?

MAYOR
I’m liking these ideas, I really am, but I think I’m going to take it a different direction.

RAT 1 (stage-whispering to RAT 2)
Thank goodness.

RAT 2 (stage-whispering to RAT 1)
If she keeps this up, we’ve got nothing to worry about.

MAYOR
What did you just say?

RAT 2
Squeak squeak. Squeak. Squeak.

MAYOR
That’s what I thought.

VILLAGER 2
Last time you “took it a different direction,” the village burned down. Then we rebuilt it. Then it burned down again.

MAYOR
Third time’s the charm, right?

The VILLAGERS sigh and walk offstage, shaking their heads.

MAYOR (writing in a small notebook)
Okay, note to self: Avoid fire if possible.

NARRATOR
The Mayor began to think about the best way to get rid of the pests –