Tales of Beatrix Potter

Instructors Guide for
Tales of Beatrix Potter
“Tales of Beatrix Potter” is a production of Applause Unlimited,
and is licensed by Fredrick Warne & Co.
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Introduction
A solo puppeteer/storyteller explores the fantasy world of one of
Victorian England’s best-known authors and illustrators. Set in an oldfashioned nursery, the performance includes three of Potter’s stories as
seen through the eyes of a young English girl growing up at the
beginning of this century. As she pursues the everyday activities of
playing and learning, the stories seem to grow from her imagination.
Beatrix Potter’s books were designed especially for reading aloud. Each
page of text has a drawing opposite that illustrates the action of the text.
Children learning to read can visually follow what is happening as the
story is read and older children can enjoy the secrets that the drawings
reveal, such as the true identity of Jemima Puddle-Duck’s “bushy longtailed gentleman.” Underlying each story is one or more life lessons
acted out by the charming animal characters.
This guide offers ways for teachers and students to share Beatrix Potter’s
unusual world.
Before the Show
1. Read one of Beatrix Potter’s stories to the class. Explain that in the
performance they see, the story will be told by the puppeteer and acted
out by puppets.
2. The little girl who lives in the nursery learns and plays much as
children do today. What sort of learning and playing opportunities
would she not have had one hundred years ago? Explain the difference
between educating boys and girls a century ago.
3. Seeing a performance can be an exciting experience. Ask the
children to explain the rules of the theater. Emphasize that the key to
enjoying a story is listening and watching and encourage them to ask
questions at the end of the show.
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Summaries of the Stories in the Production
The Tale of Two Bad Mice: Tomb Thumb and Hunca Munca wreak
havoc in a doll house when they discover that the delicious looking
food is made of plaster.
The Tale of Jeremy Fisher: The story of a frog who loves to fish is told
in story and in song. One rainy day Mr. Jeremy Fisher decides to ask
some friends to dinner and goes out to catch some minnows. Instead he
is caught himself by a tremendous trout. He narrowly escapes when the
trout discovers that it dislikes the taste of Jeremy’s raincoat. Jeremy
vows never to go fishing again and serves something else for dinner.
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck: Jemima Puddle-Duck is frustrated
because the farmer’s wife will not let her hatch her own eggs. Her
attempts to find a hidden spot for a nest are aided by a sly “gentleman”
with whiskers, black prick ears, and a long bushy tail. Jemima learns,
almost too late, that her innocent trust of strangers could prove to be
her downfall.
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After the Show
1. Most of Beatrix Potter’s stories are based on the question, “What
would happen if animals imitated humans?” Although the fox dressed
like a gentleman and imitated gentlemanly manners, his instincts were
still those of a fox. In what ways was Jeremy Fisher like a frog? In what
ways did he imitate a human? Do you have a pet that sometimes acts
like a human?
2. The puppets in the show were built to look like Beatrix Potter’s
illustrations. Most are hand puppets, controlled from the inside by the
puppeteer’s hand. Other kinds of puppets include marionettes (string
puppets), shadow puppets, and rod puppets. What other kinds of
puppets did you see in the show?
3. Many stories in children’s books teach a lesson by showing the
consequences of wrong behavior. How were Jemima, Jeremy, and
Hunca Munca foolish? What made them realize they were wrong? Did
they change their ways after they learned their lesson?
Activities
1. As models for the illustrations, Beatrix Potter drew her own pets
and animal acquaintances. Try drawing your pet’s different activities -eating, sleeping, or playing.
2. Have you ever learned something “the hard way?” Write a story
about someone who didn’t pay attention to an important lesson such as
“wash before you eat” and what happened to them as a result.
Bibliography
Peter Rabbit Giant Treasury, Derrydale Books, a division of Crown
Publishers, New York, 1980
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter, Frederick Warne &
Co. Inc., New York, 1936
Shadow Puppets by Lotte Reiniger, Publisher Plays Co., Boston, MA.,
1970
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Puppeteer by Kathryn Lasky, MacMillan Publishing Co., New York,
1985
The Art of Making Puppets and Marionettes by Charlene Davis Roth,
Chilton Book Co., Radnor, PA., 1975
About the Company
Applause Unlimited offers a wide range of performances
featuring fresh presentations of classic tales. Their approach includes
masks, puppets, storytelling, music, and comedy in a unique
combination that quietly educates as it entertains. Applause Unlimited
has performed in theaters and at festivals world-wide. Their shows have
been acclaimed by audiences, educators, producers, and sponsors of
children’s and family entertainment, receiving two Citations Of
Excellence from the Union Internationale de la Marionette - USA.
About the Performer
Applause Unlimited co-founder Christopher Hudert is a versatile artist
whose skills include script writing, sculpting, set and puppet
construction, puppetry, clowning, stilt walking, juggling and much
more. He began his career in the theater at an early age, performing
with The Children’s Theater of Richmond and Puppetfest Productions
as well as other area companies. While a Theater Education major at
Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher put his studies on hold
to attend Ringling Bros. Clown College. Offered a chance to join the
Circus, he toured all over the United States and Japan. A 9-year veteran
of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Christopher has
performed live for millions of people and appeared in TV shows,
commercials, magazines and newspapers in the U.S and Japan. He was
Boss Clown for Ringling Bros. before leaving the show to join Master
Puppeteer Terry Snyder in the creation of Applause Unlimited. He has
returned to Clown College as an instructor and has given lectures and
workshops on both clowning and puppetry throughout the country. He
serves on the Board of The National Capital Puppetry Guild.
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Theater Etiquette
A visit to the Puppet Co. Playhouse may be the very first trip to any
theatrical performance for some of your students. We want this to be a
happy experience for everyone. Before you enter the theater, our
House Manager, the person who is responsible for your safety and
comfort during the performance, will welcome you, and will inform you
about the seating of you group. At some of the performances, one of
the performers will come out to introduce the show and remind
everyone about theater “manners” using this easy to remember poem:
Please don’t eat, and stay down in you seat.
Don’t walk about, and don’t talk or shout.
Don’t take pictures or touch the display fixtures,
And, if the babies bawl, take them down the hall!
Have a great visit to the Puppet Co. Playhouse!
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