During the play, the audience witnesses these facets of the production in action; however, the focus  is on character and story, more than "culture". In this way, you can impart a bit of "foreign culture" to your audiences without becoming didactic. We especially want to reinforce that stories are a FUN way to learn! 

 Variations of this story are found in many cultures, but our research has found that, while THE SAUSAGE may not have originated in Sweden, it is more well-known within Sweden's borders than in any other country. When the wife of a woodcutter is unexpectedly granted three wishes for a good deed, she soon finds out that when you can have anything you want in the whole world, it's not so easy to decide what to wish for. The style of this production is a mixture of northern European theatre styles (Swedish theatre has always reflected a mix of European styles). By the end of this uproariously comic play, both husband and wife learn that, while they   would love to have rich, fine possessions, their happiness is much more important than material wealth.

Specifically, this tale is from the SENECA, one of the six members of the IROQUOIS League of Nations. Realistic animal masks, clever staging, and a replica of the traditional Hage'ota (storyteller) costume complement this faithful and humorous dramatization of a classic North American Iroquois tale. In all other STORIES FROM PLANET EARTH where masks were required, Mr. Bedell made the masks as replicas of the traditional story-telling or ceremonial masks of the culture. We had to do considerable research just to find photographs of traditional Seneca masks; but in doing so, we learned that it would be offensive to the Iroquois Nation to display even a replica of their masks. So the masks in THIS story are of Mr. Bedell's own design. In this clever tale, a turtle tries to become "a leader of great warriors". He fails, but in the end learns something about himself that he might've not learned if he hadn't at least tried.

This story is not as well-known as the other STORIES FROM PLANET EARTH, but there are few Russian stories that are short enough to dramatize in this format. And it is such a FUN story that Mr. Bedell didn't want to pass it by simply because of its relative obscurity.  As you know by now, This play tries to "borrow" the theatrical style for each story from its country of origin. This story is no different. The great Russian actor and director Constantin Stanislavski said: "You act for children the same way you act for adults... only better!" In this story, the antagonist can only be defeated by the cleverest wit, and the cheater is done in by his own dishonesty! It is a story with comedy, drama, suspense--all in a traditional theatre style...only better!

 The only one of the STORIES FROM PLANET EARTH which can be attributed to an author, this delightful tale was written by Jean de La Fontaine (1621 - 1695), one of the most beloved French fabulists. (La Fontaine is well-known for being one of the first French writers to write in the everyday conversational language of France, rather than the formal, more academic written language.)  The comedic style is reminiscent of comic theatre in France. A hard working shoemaker is so happy with his life that he sings while he is   working. This annoys a nearby miser who sleeps during the day so that he can guard his gold from thieves at night. The miser, having tried all else (and apparently having a great understanding of human nature), gives the shoemaker a bag full of gold! We have all wished that a fortune would drop into our laps; but while watching this play, we learn from La Fontaine's 17th-century wisdom a valuable 21st-century lesson.

Perhaps the most difficult culture to research was Pre-Columbian Argentina. That hurdle, however, made creating this play all the more important and rewarding. Very little information exists about these almost extinct people who lived on the grassy pampas (plains) in what is now Argentina, just east of the Andes. They were a part of the great Inca nation and so, due to a lack of specific information on the natives of the western highlands of Argentina, the mask and costume design were inspired by Inca art. It is the story of people suffering in a severe drought, and of one girl who overcomes great odds to make it rain once again in the pampas. A small amount of audience participation is used to make this story feel more like an adventure than a play.

Every culture on Planet Earth has used "creation stories" to "explain the otherwise unexplainable". Australian Aboriginal stories have been passed down from generation to generation--by storytellers and rock paintings--for over 40,000 years. Yet these fanciful and humorous tales had never been written down for outsiders to understand and enjoy until very late in the 19th century. 

THE KOOKABURRA AND THE SUN FIRE tells of a time before humans were born, when there was no sun and the animals lived in constant darkness. The story explains how the sun came to be, and why it still burns today. Clever use of  masks and movement bring this ancient story to life, with universal appeal.