Revolt of the Beavers facts for kids
Revolt of the Beavers was a children's play first performed in 1937. It was created by Oscar Saul and Louis Lantz as part of the Federal Theatre Project. This project was a government program that helped artists find work during the Great Depression. The play ran in New York City for about a month.
The story was a fantasy fable about beavers. It featured a worker beaver named Oakleaf. He leads a rebellion against "The Chief" Beaver. The Chief was unfair and made the other beavers work too hard. Oakleaf wanted a fairer system where everyone shared.
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Why Was This Play Controversial?
Even though Revolt of the Beavers was for children, it caused a lot of debate. Some people saw the play as promoting ideas similar to communism. Communism is a political idea where everyone is supposed to share everything equally.
Government Concerns About the Play
A government group called the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) criticized the play. They believed it was spreading "Communist ideals." This was a big concern during that time in American history.
Modern Adaptations of the Play
Years later, people have brought Revolt of the Beavers back to the stage. They often update the story for new audiences.
University of Wisconsin's Version
In 2009, the University of Wisconsin–Madison performed a new version of the play. This adaptation was written by John-Stuart Fauquet and Pete Rydberg. It focused even more on environmental themes.
The Story of Beaverland
In this updated story, two children travel to a magical place called "Beaverland." A cruel beaver chief forces them to work without end. He takes all the benefits for himself. This unfairness leads the children and other beavers to revolt. They then try to create a society where everyone shares equally.
Other Recent Performances
The play has also been performed by other groups. In 2015, the Cripple Creek Theatre Company in New Orleans did a staged reading. In 2017, the Jim Henson Foundation supported a new adaptation. This version even included parts of a real-life testimony from Hallie Flanagan, who led the Federal Theatre Project. In 2018, director Shannon Twohy also staged the play.
The Play in Film
The story of Revolt of the Beavers was also featured in a movie. The 1999 film Cradle Will Rock by director Tim Robbins showed parts of its production. The movie was about the challenges faced by plays during the Federal Theatre Project.
