The Theft of Thor’s Hammer: Fourth Grade Play
Last month, my son’s fourth grade class put on their spring play, The Theft of Thor’s Hammer. It was a funny story and the children performed beautifully in two performances. I only have photos from the performance in which Lucas played Thor. Doesn’t he look mighty? I was so proud to see him try for a big part—the part he really wanted—and get it. He’s never put himself out there like that before. And boy did he! I think this part required quite a lot of courage. You’ll see why in a minute.
Here’s Freya, the goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, gold (and sorcery, war, and death—don’t mess with Freya).
And here’s glorious Frey, with Thor’s wife Sif, an earth goddess whose hair is “like golden sheaves of wheat,” in the background.
See Thor’s grumbly, angry face? That’s ACTING. I love it. I also love the wool roving used for his hair and beard.
This darling child played Loki with such athleticism and feeling. Truly it was a joy to watch Loki’s antics.
Loki borrows Freya’s falcon feather cloak.
In the play, the giant Thrym steals Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. The Asir gods are imperiled if Thor doesn’t get it back. Thrym says he’ll return the hammer to Thor if Freya will consent to become his wife.
Several of the of Norse gods say this isn’t a bad plan. Freya, on the other hand, is highly insulted. She will not consent! (Go Freya!)
Thrym insists and waits eagerly for his bride.
Loki suggests that Thor disguise himself as Freya to go get the hammer. This is not Thor’s favorite idea, but after his fury subsides, he reluctantly agrees.
Thor and Loki are dressed as Freya and her maid. The veil hides Thor’s manly visage.
At Thrym’s home, the giants bumble about and sing a song. Thor-as-Freya is invited to a wedding feast, where he puts away a lot of food before unveiling his true god-self and bonking Thrym with the hammer. Mustn’t fight giants on an empty stomach, after all.
With Mjolnir back in Thor’s possession, the world of the Asir gods is saved. Odin and the others are grateful.
May 17, 2012 at 11:48 am
I love how seamlessly a pair of Ugg boots fits into this play about gods of long-ago.
May 18, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I know exactly what you mean, Phoebe. Too funny!
August 29, 2013 at 1:55 pm
This is absolutely delightful!
Your son, Lucas and his class did a lovely job!
October 7, 2014 at 7:12 pm
I am a 4th grade Waldorf teacher and I would love to get my hands on this play. Any idea about how I can do that?
-Becky
December 30, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Hi Becky,
Thanks for your comment. I had to get in touch with the class teacher, but I found out where she got the play The Theft of Thor’s Hammer. It’s a play from a book called 25 plays by Waldorf Teachers. This particular one was written by a fellow named Arthur F Auer. Good luck! And Happy New Year!
January 12, 2015 at 10:14 pm
I am an English teacher in Japan. I have performed this play with my first and second grade Japanese students. You can find a version of this play at
http://www.kidsinco.com/2009/12/thors-hammer/
I had to edit some parts -especially the giants as they don’t speak in the script, but it was pretty easy to tweak and the students enjoyed it.