A very agitated Thor wakes up: his hammer disappeared during his sleep. He invokes the spirits of air and of light, and asks Loki to go look for it. Loki refuses; Thor loses patience and implores him to do it. Goddess Freyja intervenes; Thor relates his nightmare and the theft of his hammer. Loki mocks the story but finally agrees. He puts on Freyja’s feather dress and flies away. In the Land of Giants, the sovereign announces the incoming attack on the Land of Gods. Loki arrives, greets him, and mentions the decline of the Land of Gods, as well as Thor’s dismay facing the disappearance of his hammer. The Giant informs him that he has the weapon, but Loki remains sceptical. His doubts vanish when a dolphin emerges from the water with the hammer in its mouth. Loki insists and wants to get it back, and, in return, promises the Giant whatever he wants. As he is in a favourable position, the Giant accepts, on condition that Freyja becomes his wife. He grants the Gods a seven-day delay before declaring war on them. Back in the kingdom, Loki relates everything to Thor who immediately asks Freyja to accept. She takes offence, but Thor is adamant. To fool the Giant, the old Heimdallr suggests that Thor dress up as a bride and Loki as a bridesmaid, which would allow them to retrieve the hammer when the time comes. Thor is unsure at first, but agrees and praises Heimdallr’s wise words. Dressed up as women, Thor and Loki arrive in the Land of Giants where they are greeted with a spectacular feast next to the sea, with game meat galore. Loki improvises several lies to explain to the surprised Giant the bride’s gargantuan appetite and scary eyes. Unsuspecting, the Giant asks for the hammer to be brought to seal the union. Thor reveals his identity, and grasps his hammer as a thunderclap resonates. As everyone cheers, he puts an end to the expansion of the haze and glaciers and, to unite the earth and the Gods, he makes a rainbow appear.

Shadow theatre

Not specified

Wolfskehl Karl

Germany

Munich

Printed

Scandinavian mythology

Thor's hammer

Cross-dressing

Banquet

Comical

Burlesque

Epic

Reproduction of the silhouette of Emile Preetorious' giant (illustration from the Schwabinger Schattenspiele's edition of 1908)