FABLES OF LA FONTAINE

Synopsis

With the help of two stagehands of the theater, La Fontaine wants to present and explain these fables. So stagehands perform those with puppets doing what he told them before. But now to help a character, now because does not like a final, they will intervene in the action more than once. In this way the message of every fable is reinforced and worked more extensively.

THE CROW AND THE FOX: The crow on the branch of a tree brings a piece of cheese in his beak. The fox smells it and he wants to take it away. So start praising exaggerated to the crow, to make him open his beak. At the end, the crow, vain, cannot resist more and the cheese falls at the feet of the fox who takes it away immediately.
CROW: "Learned this lesson I swore, too late I know but nevermore!"

THE WOLF AND THE DOG: A bright mastiff meets a hungry wolf along the way. The dog boasts how well their owners treat him and invited the wolf to go with him for not spend more hungry. He accepts, but seeing the signals of the collar with which they tied, he prefers his wild life.
MASTIFF: "Wolf, please, with you let me flee, because is most important be free!"

THE FOX AND THE BILLY GOAT: A fox and a Billy goat thirstiest go down to drink a well. At the end they realize they cannot climb. The fox convinces the goat to help him out and after, from outside, will help go out. The goat does, but when the fox is out, not assists him.
BILLY GOAT: "Baa, baa ... baa, baa ... In every cause is always equal it should be considering first the finale."

THE COCK AND THE FOX: An old rooster climbs a tree fleeing a fox. So to make it down invents that peace was signed, and will do nothing if he descends that only wants to embrace him. The rooster continues with the trick and he says to see come running two dogs hunting surely to make the announcement of so good news. Then the fox flees in a hurry.
ROOSTER: "Cock-a-doodle-doo! I laugh at my fear: because it is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver. And who laughs last, laughs best. Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

THE FOX AND THE STORK: The fox invites the stork to eat and he serves a soup in a plate so that she cannot catch anything with his beak. The stork, angry, invites him at home to eat another day and then serves the food in a long and narrow glass, and so, now is the fox who fasts.
STORK: "I hope that serve of lesson at fox as any misleading: because it is so easy be fooled; such as be fooling. Who goes around comes around! Ha, ha, ha…"

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES: A fox dead of thirst and heat wants to eat some tasty grapes hanging from a vine. Unsuccessfully he jumps and leaps. When stops, warns that the grapes are green.
FOX: "But if I hadn't noticed. Not yet matured. Bah...! Are greens! I prefer some beans!"

THE CICADA AND THE ANT: A cicada sings and dances throughout the summer, while the ant gathers food. When the cold weather arrives, the cicada asks the ant helps but she refuses.
ANT: "Now put to dance cheerful neighbor, then hungry and cold will not have more!"
But fortunately, La Fontaine will take care of the cicada.
LA FONTAINE: "Is said: He who has an art has everywhere a part. And I heard that: One kind word can warm three winter months. For it, to the cicada I will give some comfort, because where eat three, eat four. And is time to say: Goodbye, Au revoir!"

CREDITS

Author, direction, design and construction: Carles Cañellas
Assistant: Susanna Rodríguez
Actors - Puppeteers: Carles Cañellas and Susanna Rodríguez

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Medium-format show for two actors, hand puppets, rod puppet and marionettes. For all audiences, with versions for schools and libraries. Indoor.

DURATION: performance: 50min / stage set up: 2 hours / dismantling: 1 hour
AUDIENCE: from 2 years upward / maximum recommended capacity 300 people
SCENIC SPACE: with more than 150 spectators, will need a platform 80 cm high.
minimal measures: width: 4m / depth: 4m / height: 3m
SOUND: own sound equipment of 500w or connection to the P.A. of the space on stage
LIGHTING: according to each scenic space
CURRENT: power outlet on the stage / potency 2,5Kw/h + lighting

VERSION FOR LIBRARIES AND SIMILAR

DURATION: performance: 40min / stage set up: 1:30 hours / dismantling: 1 hour
AUDIENCE: from 2 years upward / maximum recommended capacity 300 people
SCENIC SPACE: can be played without a elevated stage
minimal measures: width: 3m / depth: 3m / height: 2m
SOUND: in libraries is unplugged
LIGHTING: according to each scenic space
CURRENT: power outlet on the stage / potency 1Kw/h + lighting (if necessary)

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