1489: The Changing of the Guard

( 1489: The Changing of the Guard or the Guarding of the Change )

Cast:

  • Royal Court
  • Jester
  • Sheriff of Notting, (Villain)
  • Wanda, (Sweet damsel in distress)
  • Friar Duck (Top half, seen but not heard)
  • Friar Duck (Bottom half, heard but not seen)
  • Robin, the Boy Wonder
  • Arnold the Falconer (Very minor part)
  • Large Palace Guard (Non-speaking or smiling)
  • Small Palace Guard (Non-speaking or smiling)
  • Town Crier

Synopsis:

Begins with a greeting by the Jester, followed by the Royal Procession. All dialogue is supplied for the Wassail and the Boar’s Head festivities. During the meal there are three hilarious “Changes of the Guard.” Following the dessert, the Jester enters and again welcomes the audience to “Deep Manor.” The masque which follows begins with a “Pledge of the Audience” and further involves the audience and performers in saving Wanda, a damsel in distress, from the villainous Sheriff of Notting. She has been arrested for not paying her “syntax.” A posse is formed with the Jester, the giant Friar Duck, and his sidekick, Robin, the Boy Wonder. They endure several ordeals right in the midst of the audience before finding and freeing the lass. Their movement is accompanied by the old favorite song, “We’re off to free the damsel, the damsel that is in distress. The Jester bids a touching farewell to the audience prior to the recessional. Some of the dialogue is rhymed (The rest of isn’t.)

This script was almost voted the “Best Madrigal Dinner Script of the 19th and 20th Centuries” by the Bemidji League of Men Voters, but because of the slow service at the Fourth Street Cafe at noon on the second Tuesday in January, many of the members had to get back to work before the vote was taken and the quorum was lost. But an informal exit poll was taken and almost everyone, except Orville Johnson, said they had never seen anything so funny in their life. Orville thought that he had, but couldn’t remember where. Orville’s basic philosophy of life was Been there, done that, can’t remember most of it.”