A musical version of the original story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. A slight twist at the end regarding Limpy, the only child left after the Piper leads the children away.
Characters
Four rats:
1. Boss Rat: is black, wears a belt with cutlass or knife.
2. Moll: is white, with a skirt frill round her middle and a diamond necklace.
3. Grey Rat: in leather jacket, carries a bike-chain.
4. Grey Rat: patch on one eye, red bandanna on head. Old gun?
The Beadle.
The Mayor.
Corporation:
1. The Woman Member: if possible, tall and commanding presence.
2, 3, 4. The Men Members.
Limpy's mother: a slattern.
Limpy: the lame boy, uses one crutch. Dressed in rags.
The Pied Piper.
Small parts for:
1. Townswoman.
2. Men.
3. Children.
Crowd scenes need townsfolk, rats, children.
Scene
The town square, as suggested. Tall houses all round with plenty doors to open. To one side, leading towards back, an ally-way giving view of river and hill beyond. Centre-back, a flight of steps leading up to a landing outside the Corporation Meeting-House, and folding doors to push back. Centre-front - a well, raised up on several steps and surmounted by a cross in simulated ironwork.
