1495: The Peasant, The Prince, The Boot & the Mirror

Cast:

  • Royal Court
  • Jester
  • Mertonsire
  • Drover
  • Arnold Twiggins
  • Maude
  • Elizabeth
  • Mary
  • Smaller Roles
    • Bailiff/Bellman, Minstrel
  • Really small roles
    • Master Lewellyn, Master Abner Peabody, Master Chester Bateman, Master Edgar West, Madame Willoughby, Litigant

Synopsis:

This script begins with a greeting by the Jester, interrupted by Mertonsire when the Jester fails to find an appropriate rhyme. The two pair off in light-hearted insults during which they announce to the audience that they are looking for a pretender to the throne to replace the aging king, and one of them (an audience member) just might fit the bill, or the Royal Boot as this case may be. For the next king must, “fit the Royal Boot, and look into the Royal Mirror and see the image of the King.”

During the meal, several optional sketches involving courtroom drama set the stage for the beginning of “Ruling Day.” Also we see the raucous entrance of Drover (a peasant) and Twiggins (a gentleman), two unlikely candidates to be the next King. They are struggling over the Royal Boot, which each tries to force on his foot. A zany trial ensues in which Jester and Mertonsire serve as quasi legal counsel to Drover and Twiggins, whose doting mothers appear as character witnesses. The boys each see the other, and not the King, in the Royal Mirror (What a Royal pane in the Glass!.)

In the course of the testimony, a stunning mix-up in the Royal Nursery is discovered! But, the day is saved and the royal mix-up is solved by the entrance of shy, sweet, innocent, and totally independent Mary. . . wearing the other Royal Boot! Of course, the first Royal Boot fits and when she looks into the mirror she actually sees the image of the King.

“Oh. . . I look like a King! I always thought I looked a bit more feminine than that.”

We’ll tell you in the script how the mirror trick is done. This wild and wacky script is interspersed with commentary by a minstrel, which may, or may not, be sung to the tune of Greensleeves. As an added feature, several audience toasts are included. This script you’ll love.