Children's Book and Media Review
Volume 5 | Issue 2
Article 5
1984
Play Reviews
Harold R. Oaks
Renee Hieftje
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BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Oaks, Harold R. and Hieftje, Renee (1984) "Play Reviews," Children's Book and Media Review: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cbmr/vol5/iss2/5
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BR IG H AM YOUNG UN IVERSITY
Oaks and Hieftje: Play Reviews
PlA Y REVI EWS
Conley, Pauline C. The Code Breaker. Anchorage Press, 19B3.
Four si xteen-year-olds have just completed their training
and are awaiting assignment to a guild in the future world called
Orb, which is controlled by a master computer. Peter discovers
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the forbidden outside world, is reported by his friends, but
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escapes
with the help of Bernice. They risk treason to reveal
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t~e outside world for the good of all living in the Orb.
The play deals with Orwell's 1984 type of people-control,
and should be an excellent springboard for discussion about total
control of environment, freedom of speech and action, the place
of computers in society, etc. The play reads well, is fast
paced and could be done with minimal or extensive scenic
support. It would be good for audiences age twelve or older.
---Harold R. Oaks.
Harris, Aurand. Treasure Island. Anchorage Press, 1983.
This dramatization of Stevenson's novel follows the boy, Jim
Hawkins, from audience member to serving boy to cabin boy as he
finds the map and seeks the pirate treasure.
Colorful characters like 8illy Jones, Ben Gunn, and Long
AJohn
Silver populate the stage. Plans, plots, betrayals and
A11 Ages
death figure into the plot. This is an exciting play intended
Pl ay
for adults to perform to a young audience, but any audience
should enjoy it!--Harold R. Oaks.
Kase, Judith Baker. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Anchorage
Press, 1984. Script: .75/copy. Musical scores : $1.25/copy. Royalty: $35-1st performance; $30-2nd performance;
$25-all subsequent performances.
A modernized, humorous take-off of the Grimm Brothers tale.
The original storyline remains prominent. Snow White is left
alone in the woods because of her stepmother's jealousy. Snow
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White finds her way to the little cottage of the dwarves. The
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little men grow to love her dearly. She stays with them, but
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while she is alone one day, her stepmother fools Snow White with
a poisoned apple . She is rescued by the Prince, who dislodges
the piece of apple in her throat.
In this clever, witty version of Snow White there are spicy
bits of humor injected. However, Jollo, the court jester .
speaks in rhyme throughout the play and it gets sing-songy and
tiresome, detracting from the storyline. The characters were
solid and believable. This musical play is for all ages, and
Published by BYU ScholarsArchive, 1984
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C HIL D REN'S BOOK REVI EW
Children's Book and Media Review, Vol. 5 [1984], Iss. 2, Art. 5
could be performed by junior high and high school students.
--Renee Hieftje.
Kelly, Tim. Tom Sawyer . I.E. Clark, Inc., 1983.
(Schu lenburg, TX) Royalty: $35-1st performance; $25-each
additional performance. For grades 3 - 9 and general audiences.
This two-act adaptation of Twain's classic novel moves
quickly to cover most of the highlights of the original. The
characters come through with strength, color and humor. It
should be an exciting play to stage.
It does make some significant demands in lighting and smooth
stage movement, but audien ces should enjoy it. --Harold R. Oaks.
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