The Black Mill

 

 

The Black Mill

A musical fairy tale for black light objects, dolls, 3 actors and school band


Project description

The story 'The Black Mill' (also known as Krabat) must be reduced to the central scenes by the teacher. The miller's lads and blackbirds are played by dolls, Krabat should be played by an actor or actress. Mills, sacks etc. are projections and black light objects. The magician and another miller's lad are also played by actors/actresses.

The music teacher can develop a score with the pupils and the instruments available: anything is possible, from a score with "just" noises right up to short compositions. Transitional scenes should be designed by the school choir.

When the Kontra-Punkt theatre staged the show with the Hallenschule from Plettenberg, the costumes and props were made by the parents.


Requirements
- A place to put on the play, if possible in a darkened room
- Black drapes (velvet, satin etc., may be possible to borrow this from theatres)
- Black light (can be rented from lighting companies at good conditions or ask at theatres)
- Rehearsal room: at least half the size of a gym hall

Participants
- At least one primary school class (3rd or 4th grade) + one music group

Requirements for teachers
- Two teachers: experience with black light theatre or cooperation with the Kontra-Punkt theatre
- One music teacher

Time: around 60 minutes

The Black Mill

Black light and dolls theatre for 3rd and 4th grade by Jurij Brezan (Arena Taschenbuchverlag)