A Special Trade

by Christer Dahl
based on the book by Sally Wittman

Bartholomew and Nelly are not just neighbors, they’re best friends. Every day, Bartholomew pushes Nelly in her stroller around the neighborhood. They especially like getting sprayed by Mrs. Pringle’s sprinkler and going over Mr. Oliver’s bumpity-bump-bump driveway. And when Nelly grows up and Bartholomew grows old their joy in being together continues, no matter what. For this story of two people, from two generations, shows better than most, what it truly means to be friends forever.

$12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Theatre for the Very Young
  • Estimated Run Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 1 male, 1 female, 1 either

Full Details

3 actors play:
  • Player B as a puppeteer plays Bartholomew, Good Neighbor and some shadow puppets. As an actor, plays Old Bartholomew and storyteller
  • Player N as a puppeteer plays Nelly and Good Neighbor. As an actor, plays Nelly and storyteller.
  • Player P as a puppeteer plays dogs, sprinkler and other puppeted effects. As an actor, plays Mrs. Pringle and storyteller.

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets. Please Note: sheet music is not available for the indicated lyrics. Producing theatres are welcome to create their own underscoring for these moments or sing acapella.

Christer Dahl

Christer Dahl is a frequent moviegoer (favorites: Fellini, Bergman, Almodovar), theater-goer (favorites: Sjöberg, Grotowski and cheese) and avid reader of fiction (favorites: Kafka and Astrid Lindgren) and various scientific ditto (clear favorite: Antonio Damaso). Christer received training at the Swedish Film Institute Film School (directing education). He lives with his beloved wife, children and dogs.

Christer worked from 1968-1988 as a film director (film & TV) and writer (under the pseudonym Kenneth Ahl). From 1990-2010 Christer was an actor, writer, puppeteer, and director for Dockteatern Tittut in Sweeden, where he developed notable work such as Little Tiger & Little Bear, has toured to numerous countries across the globe, and has won many awards including the Puppet Theatre Tittut Theater Critics' Prize in 2008.

Originally produced in Children's Theatre Company's 07-08 season

Photos of original production at Children's Theatre Company

Photos of original production at Children's Theatre Company

Photos of original production at Children's Theatre Company

Reviews

“

[Children] are processing everything they see and they need the space, and the time to sort it all out. So, when we do a show, it has to have clean lines. It’s like a triangle. You have the actors, the props and the audience. There’s no fourth wall separating us.

- Docteatern Tittut
“

[A Special Trade] is a winsome and lovely bit of storytelling, a gentle and empowering tale about friendship, and a theatrical experience as satisfying for its intended audience of preschoolers as it is for the grown-ups who bring them.

- St. Paul Pioneer Press