The Mouse That Roared
Adapted by Christopher Sergel. Based on the book by Leonard Wibberley.
Product Code: M36000
Full-length Play
Comedy
Cast size: 14m., 16w., extras or doubling if desired.
Limited Streaming Rights Available
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.
Synopsis
"Hilarious, rib-tickling comedy," wrote one leading critic, adding that he considers it "the funniest on record" The wonderful audience response to this show has been shared in the enthusiastic reaction of the critics who admire not only its sharp wit but also its wisdom. A pretty girl of 22 happens to be the present Duchess Gloriana, sovereign of a microscopic country in the Alps founded centuries ago by a roving band of English bowmen. Gloriana's unique solution to the near bankruptcy of her tiny domain is to declare war on the U.S.! There's some method to her madness, however, for her study of recent history suggests that the surest way to wealth today is to lose a war with the United States, for that country's odd reaction is to pour aid, relief and rehabilitation on the vanquished. When her "declaration" is considered a prank, Gloriana decides to escalate! Tully Bascomb, presently in charge of the bowmen, is to launch an attack so they can surrender and reap the rewards. Serious-minded Tully, however, upsets all calculations when he and his bowmen do the last thing expected—they win! You'll find comment in the comedy crescendo that follows including some pointed kind words for America. This rare comedy uses the magic of the theatre to invite your audience to enjoy the delight of the "impossible."
Notes
Limited Streaming Rights Available
Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code M36000
- Minimum Cast Size 30
- Pages of Dialogue 87
- Min. Royalty Rate $110.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 110 min
- Staging Area staging.
Categories
- Target Audience Middle School | High School | Family (all ages)
- Performing Group Middle School | High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Professional Theatre | TYA
- Genre Comedy
- ISBN(13) 9780871294555
Customer Reviews
Overall it's a good title for high school because it is clean and has a large cast.
Mouse That Roared is a fun play ideal for amateurs at any level. It also has a delightful political edge to it that creates interesting dialogue regarding the past relationships of "The Superpowers."
Excellent for high school actors and audiences. While some of the "Cold War" overtones are less current -- many of the political comments remain as true today as when written.
A fantastic high school play! A great way to teach kids how to play various characters.
The Mouse That Roared was a lot of fun for my eighth graders. Plus, the challenging vocabulary made it a great language arts learning experience.
Mouse is a very accessible comedy for high schools that needs minimal staging. The theme, however, is political and timely to current events and concerns.
This production is great for a high school. It is funny. It is flexible in terms of casting and it is wholesome.
This was an awesome play for high school students.
The Mouse that Roared is a fun vehicle for developing comic skills while presenting the audience with a hilarious, whimsical tale that evokes thoughts about global issues today.
Audiences raved the creative performances by a number of first year college theater students. All were enthralled with the subject and script. Student actors identified strongly with play's message of WAR from the point of view of the common man. Very timely right now.
Such an appropriate show for our current situation. Students enjoy playing the fun characters and appreciate the message they are presenting. It really makes a student recognize the absurdity of hostilities between countries.
Great, fun showÑthe cast and audience loved it. Terrific show for high-school students because of the flexibility of characters and staging.
This was one of our school's most successful productions. With a cast of 40+ people, we were able to give many students their first experience on stage. Professor Kokintz (with his Einstein-inspired hair) brought enough energy to his performance for the entire cast. The audience loved the soldiers (most were shorter than the rest of the cast) and enjoyed Tully/Gloriana's marriage proposal the most. Easy to stage and enjoyable for all audiences!
Great classic play ideal for large high schools because of the large cast size É 30 speaking roles.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
Staging can be pretty simple, casting is flexible, really a larger group is better; we had 20 students and I would have preferred more. A few sound cues that are very timing dependent. Some good opportunities for character development and ad libbing.
Have fun with Grand Fenwick! Cast energetic actors as Mountjoy and Benter or their scenes can seem wordy.
Keep the set simple. We used styrofoam panels to create 2 - 8'X 8' wall sections (two 4X8s together) to use as a backdrop. On one side we had the double headed eagle and the other, a portrait of Sir Roger Fenwick. When they flipped around, we had a former US president and his former Secy of State on the respective panels. Then the furniture was simple. This was performed on a stage extension that I have built out for each production. This allows for the "old" proscenium stage to function as our backstage area.
Buy the sound effects tape, and start thinking about the soldier costumes early.
We used multiple curtains which added a lot to the production.
We used olio drops to indicate various locations which moved the action quickly as set changes were minimal.
Turn the invasion of New York scene into a spectacle full of bit players and visual action.
Keep sets simple; be creative with costuming and props. Add lots of colorful accessories to highlight scenes and characters. Use the house aisles as Tully and soldiers "attack" New York City.
If you have a fly system, try to use it for the background for the throne room (double-headed eagle), the secretary of state's office (official seal for the State Department) and the president's office (presidential seal).
We started the play with tourists walking up through the audience, as if walking through the forest. They met Tully on the thrust stage in front of the curtain for opening.
Production Map
| Location | City | State | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith Christian School | Lafayette | IN | 03/13/2025 | 03/14/2025 |
| Faith Christian School | Lafayette | IN | 03/13/2025 | 03/14/2025 |
| Lakeview High School | Cortland | OH | 03/27/2025 | 03/30/2025 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | AZ | 04/10/2025 | 04/11/2025 |
| Tybee Post Theater | Tybee Island | GA | 04/11/2025 | 04/12/2025 |
Downloads
| File Description | File Format | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Poster | Download |
Poster Suggestions
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Gallery
The Mouse That Roared - Anderson High School, Anderson, CA
The Mouse that Roared-Lutheran HS of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
The Mouse That Roared - Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN
The Mouse That Roared - Mishawaka High School, Mishawaka, IN
The Mouse That Roared - Curtain Call Youth Players, Marietta, GA
Also By These Authors
Erin Laabs, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.