The Text Extract

The Mouse and his child by Tamsin Oglesby

(Act 2)

The Mouse and his Child by Tamsin Oglesby

A clockwork mouse and his child are discarded by children on Christmas Day. Lost and alone, they desperately want to get back home to the toyshop.

The play is based on Russell Hoban's novel of the same name. A children's tale of escape, the search for freedom and reunited families was adapted for the stage by Tamsin Oglesby.

The Mouse and His Child played in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 17 November 2012 to 12 January 2013 and was directed by Paul Hunter

Images from RSC

Images from RSC

Interview with Playwright (Devisor) Tamsin Oglesby What is the story?

It's about a clockwork mouse and his child who are bought from a toy shop then discarded. They then embark on a journey to return to the toy shop and in the process discover who they are, and the worst and best that humankind is capable of. Because, although it's about clockwork creatures and animals it's fundamentally about the human spirit.

What I think makes it so theatrical is that, very often in books like Alice in Wonderland and Pinnochio, you have a central character whose questions are internalised. This can pose a problem dramatically. What makes this story so brilliant is that it's about a mouse and his child, two halves of the same character in a way, so the questions are externalised and the relationship they go through actually is the story too. We have a constant dialogue going between our protagonists which is a theatrical gift.

Interview with Paul Hunter - Director

How would you sum up what people can expect if they come to see Mouse and His Child? 

A: As I said – it's a universal story. It's poignant and profound and funny. It's absurd and exciting and magical with something for all the family. The adults in the audience definitely won't be sitting there looking at their watches waiting to get a drink in at the interval! 

Personally I don't see it as a kids show – I read an interview with one of the founders of Pixar Films who was asked what his target audience was for their films and he responded 'anybody who breathes'. That is what I want for this production. 

I want it to be seen by a 7 year old with their 70 year old grandparent and for both of them to enjoy it and get something out of it.

Our extract

Begins in the Woods – Act 2

Themes

A tale of escapeThe search for freedom

Re-united families

CharactersIn the original production tramps were used to facilitate or enhance the action , play music and change scenes

Manny (Rat)ElephantEuterpe (Parrot)Mr and Mrs CrowMouseChild

KingfisherSealMud Bittern (Bird)HawkFrogRalphie (Rat)Rat 1,2,3,4.

Options

Performer

Perform a section of the text extract. Your performance must last no longer than 10 mins. Each person must have a minimum of 3 mins exposure on stage. You can work as an individual or as part of a group 2-6 performers.

Deviser

The director has asked for another scene to be written between scene 3 and 4. The scene explores the journey Frog, Bittern, Seal and Kingfisher take.

Options

Designer

Prepare designs for the extract. You must cover any THREE of -

Set

Costume

Lighting

Stage / personal props

Make-up / masks

Sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI7owLBjFvg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsLtBiirvV8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoGF67VW4qc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvSLseZgui0