HANSEL & GRETEL opening of Act I

HANSEL & GRETEL opening of Act I From the Bel Canto Opera production: GRETEL: Susie little Susie, pray tell me the news The geese are going barefoot because they've no shoes The ganders can't pay so the cobblers refuse Pity little goslings who can't afford... HANSEL: so who cares if they're barefoot? GRETEL: ...shoes. HANSEL: Goosey, silly goosey, if I had to choose I'd rather have a plateful of food and no shoes If goosey comes my way, I'll hazard a hunch She'll be on my table next Sunday for... GRETEL: All you think about is eating? HANSEL:...lunch! When Mother comes back she'll bring something to eat GRETEL: If we've been good, she promised to bring us a treat HANSEL: I'm sick to death of rancid lard Cheese that's gone moldy - bread that's gone hard! GRETEL: It's worse for Mother, she weeps every night but Father's hopeful words are right "When life brings you misery God sends blessings down to thee" GRETEL: I wonder what He has in mind May His blessings be of the edible kind God send us some butter, eggs and ham sausage and dumplings, strawberry jam Sauerbraten on mounds of noodles Chocolate gateau, marzipan strudels God ought to send food.. GRETEL: Hush! I don't like your mood. If you just want to moan, go off on your own Your grumpy little face! Crotchety grouse! Bad tempered boys have no place in this house. Out you must go! Don't tell me "no"! I'm not just playing! Hear what I'm saying! All that complaining! Look, it's not raining. Crosspatch, crosspatch, be on your way, How can you whinge on a sunny summer day? Sourpuss, what's the use, sulking away? Crotchety face, total disgrace! Sullen and scowling, grumbling and growling I'm not just playing, hear what I'm saying HANSEL: Bossy old crone Leave me alone How can I be polite when I haven't had a bite? You must be hungry too I'd better join with you, saying BOTH: Crosspatch, crosspatch Out of my way How can you whinge on a sunny summer day? G: Sourpuss, what's the use, sulking away? H: Sourpuss, sweep your sulks away. GRETEL: Calm down. If you can be sweet and pleasant I'll show you a wonderful secret present HANSEL: What's the secret? Is it a treat for me? GRETEL: For all the family. Just wait and see. The jug's full of milk with cream on the top A gift from the people who run the shop when Mother's back she'll make something nice She might bake a pudding with jam and rice HANSEL: Rice, hurray! Creamy pudding covered with jam The Lord God knows how hungry I am! How thick is the cream on the milk. Let's taste it Delectable! There's just enough for Hansel! GRETEL: No, Hansel! Leave it. One taste will do. That's for the four of us, not just for you. And now back to work, we have had our fun If Mother finds your chores undone She'll smack your bottom until it's red "No supper! You will go straight to bed!" HANSEL: Broom making...that's not for me that's as boring as as can be! I'm sick of working - sitting all day Let's be dancers and dance the night away. GRETEL: Dancers! Dancing! I'm queen and you be the king, and then together we'll dance and sing. Here's the old hoop that Granny brought us Come sing the song and dance she taught us... Brother Hans, come dance with me...etc. words©Tom Boyd From: hughdrover Views: 24817 17 ratings Time: 09:57 More in Music