The Mouse and His Child

📘 About This Book

Acclaimed as one of the classics of 20th century children's literature, The Mouse and His Child is a moving story about two clockwork mice thrown on a scrap heap who then have to begin a dangerous quest for a place to belong. It is adapted for the stage by Tamsin Oglesby and will be directed by Paul Hunter, Told By An Idiot's Co-Artistic Director. The Mouse and His Child continues the Royal Shakespeare Company's long tradition of creating new stage adaptations of much-loved childhood tales – including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Heart of Robin Hood, and Matilda The Musical, the RSC's award-winning Roald Dahl adaptation, currently playing in the West End.

📖 Summary

Tamsin Oglesby's 2012 stage adaptation of The Mouse and His Child brings Russell Hoban's acclaimed 20th-century classic of children's literature to the theatrical world, continuing the Royal Shakespeare Company's rich tradition of adapting beloved childhood tales. Clocking in at 97 pages, this dramatic script captures the poignant and moving story of two fragile clockwork mice who are abruptly discarded and thrown onto a scrap heap. Rather than accepting their fate among the discarded refuse of a bustling world, these mechanical father-and-child toys must embark on a treacherous and dangerous quest. Their ultimate objective is to find a place where they truly belong, a safe haven amid a landscape filled with unpredictable dangers and eccentric characters. Through Oglesby's dramatic lens, the narrative explores profound themes of agency, familial love, existential striving, and the universal human (and mechanical) desire for permanence and connection in a transient world. The stage adaptation breathes new life into the timeless journey of the little wind-up mice, translating the whimsical yet deeply philosophical undertones of the original novel into a compelling dramatic experience. As the mice wind their way through perilous environments, encountering both allies and adversaries, audiences are treated to a story that transcends traditional children's entertainment, offering rich emotional depth suitable for a diverse theatrical audience. Commissioned and staged with the creative vision of director Paul Hunter, Co-Artistic Director of the renowned theater company Told By An Idiot, this script stands alongside the RSC's other celebrated theatrical adaptations like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Heart of Robin Hood, and Matilda The Musical. Oglesby's script skillfully distills a sprawling novel into a tight, theatrical format without losing the heart, wonder, and dark undertones that made the original book a cherished classic. It invites readers and theatergoers alike to reflect on the meaning of existence, the bonds of family, and the courage it takes to face a daunting world with very little protection, making it a remarkable addition to modern dramatic literature.

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