Copyright held by the Manhattan Experimental Theater Workshop
View Permission for Production Policy
Crafted and performed by the company
Words of Charles Perrault and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Directed by Gwethalyn and the directing team
Under our own influence
The scenario:
The partygoers enter in two groups contemplating each other they strike poses individually and announce the qualities of their feet.
The band creates a waltzing rhythm with drum and bells.
Half of the partygoers select partners, as potential partners approach the partygoers strike poses hoping to attract each other. A waltz-like dance begins. Partners may switch by tapping out one of a pair. As this continues the partner-less people begin to show signs of desperation and animalistic tendencies. As the partygoers descend more into animalistic desperation the “band” changes the rhythm, one couple continues to dance a waltz as the rest of the partygoers destroy one another. When the carnage is done the band returns to the waltz beat as the dancing couple take one more turn around the floor. The band stops and stands and surveys the ballroom, as does the dancing couple, they applaud the success of the ball and exit.
Foot Intros (by the company):
1. Flat, no arches.
2. Cute,wide,
3. Size 6 1/2
4. rough on the bottom, smooth on top
5. My feet are wide and pretty.
6. My feet are mostly smooth
7. My toenails are short and even.
8. I have a normal arch.
9. Highly arched. Long and lean.
10. Tiny, chubby, and tan.
11. Long, tan, and elegant.
12. Mostly opaque with interlaying colors.
13. Skinny and slim with gray-blonde hairs
14. Provide much support and balance
15. Handsome curves and joints.
Section 1 (choosing partners):
All:
Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We still admire it without measure,
But that thing, which we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face;
For thus (may ever truth prevail)
We draw our moral from this Tale.
Section2(The dance):
Orchestra begins
A: Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We admire it without measure
B: But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
While the partnerless during this section:
Shake your branches little tree
Toss gold and silver down on me
2 measures of percussion
A: Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We admire it without measure
B: But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
2 measures of percussion
A: Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We admire it without measure
B: But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
Partnerless (Build volume for 2 measures):
Shake your branches little tree
Toss gold and silver down on me
Shake your branches little tree
Toss gold and silver down on me
Section 3 (The partnerless multiply):
Partnerless (very low during this part):
The foot’s too long and far too wide
Go back and find the proper bride
The foot’s too long and far too wide
Go back and find the proper bride
The foot’s too long and far too wide
Go back and find the proper bride
The foot’s too long and far too wide
Go back and find the proper bride
4 measures percussion
AS PARTNERLESS TURN TO ANIMALS hold a tone:
Dancers A: Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We admire it without measure
Dancers B: But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
2 measures of percussion
Dancers A: Beauty's to the sex a treasure,
We admire it without measure
Dancers B: But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
2 measures of percussion
Section 4 (violence):
Dancers (2), every other measure:
Thus may ever truth prevail
Partnerless Animals:
Group B:
Roo Coo Coo, Roo Coo Coo
Blood is dripping from the shoe
Group B:
Roo Coo Coo, Roo Coo Coo
Blood is dripping from the shoe
( Group A and Group B speak their next lines simultaneously)
Group A:
Beauty's to the sex a treasure
We still admire it without measure
Group B:
Roo Coo Coo, Roo Coo Coo
Blood is dripping from the shoe
Group A:
Beauty's to the sex a treasure
We still admire it without measure
Group B:
Roo Coo Coo, Roo Coo Coo
Blood is dripping from the shoe
(Groups A and B choose one or two words from their chants and repeat them in a word jazz-like way until they are all dead / 8 stanzas)
Dancers:
But that thing we call good grace,
Exceeds by far a handsome face
