Today we gave a performance of “The Wrath of the Three-Headed Dragon” at the Havelock Public Library. What a wonderful time we had sharing the joys of puppetry to both children and adults. It was a joy seeing so many happy faces. The children especially enjoy having their photos taken with the puppets.
New Bern Puppets was part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.
The library staff couldn’t have been nicer! They did an amazing job, removing bookshelves and creating a nice open space for our marionette stages.
Our three marionette stages fitted nicely in the back of the room. It was a pleasure enjoying electricity for our audio system and enjoying refreshing A/C on a hot summer day. Though the show was at 10:30 AM, adults and children began filling up the space at 9:30!
A glimpse behind the scenes. You can see our scripts taped on the back of the stages while the marionettes hang from hooks (ready to be used during the show).
Jeanne Holmgren, the Havelock Library Branch Manager, gave Bern Puppets a very gracious welcome as she introduced us to the children and adults.
In Act I, after the dragon causes havoc in town, a young woman sings a sad song, praying for a hero to save everyone from the dragon.
In Act II the bishop reports to the king that the dragon has committed another horrible act – the beast has captured a young maiden. The king’s son, Prince Cedric, arrives. He promises his father he will rescue the girl and slay the dragon.
In Act III the angry dragon threatens to eat the young maiden. The woman soon discovers the source of the dragon’s anger – it once had a 4th head, which was cut off by a knight. Prince Cedric arrives and fights the dragon. The creature is wounded but his sword is stayed by the maiden.
She explains why the dragon is angry. The prince decides to show mercy, allowing the dragon to live. Grateful, the dragon agrees to stop attacking and flies off. The prince proposes marriage to the fair maiden, who happily accepts.
In Act IV Cedric and the girl sing a ballad and thank everyone for watching the show.
After a demonstration on marionettes and the children having photos taken with puppets, everyone was given paper cut-out hand puppets by the library staff. What a thoughtful gift!
