Hansel and Gretel (1963 film) the sets but nevertheless called it "an extremely agreeable 90 minutes of tuneful make-believe" Hansel and Gretel (1963 film) Hansel and Gretel is a 1963 Australian TV adaptation of the opera "Hansel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck. It screened as an episode of "Wednesday Theatre" in 1966. It was an early role for Jackie Weaver who played Gretel and was aged 16; she had just appeared as Cinderella in a pantomime at Philip Street. Brian Gilbert, who played Hansel, was 13. The show was recorded during the visit to Australia of Australian conductor Charles Mackerras. He consducted the Sydney Symphony
Hansel and Gretel (opera) finishes her crown, Hansel fills his basket. Gretel tries to put the crown on Hansel, but, saying that boys do not play with things like these, he puts it on her head instead. He tells her that she looks like the Queen of the Wood, and she says that if that's so, then he should give her a bouquet, too. He offers her the strawberries. They hear a cuckoo calling, and they begin to eat the strawberries. As the basket empties, they fight for the remaining strawberries, and finally, Hansel grabs the basket and dumps the leftovers in his mouth.