1502: Who’s Behind the Shrub?

Cast:

  • Royal Court
  • King (Part of Royal Court)
  • Jester (male or female )
  • Mertonsire ( male or female)
  • Lord Shrub (Could be “Lady” Shrub)
  • Sir Speakeasy (Could be “Lady” Speakeasy)
  • Dr. Spin (The Spin Doctor, male or female)

Synopsis:

Begins with a greeting by the Jester, interrupted by Mertonsire with the news that Lord Shrub, the son of the King, is returning to the castle after a long absence abroad. The King is not thrilled by his return, to say the least, and he gives Shrub a make-work job as Head of the Party – the Queen’s birthday party. Lord Shrub misunderstands the King and thinks he has been made Head of the Political Party. Lord Shrub has trouble with the English language, not unlike other leaders of our century. In fact, some presidential language does creep into the script so that we don’t “misunderestimate” the King’s son.

Lord Shrub enlists the aid of a scriptwriter, Sir Speakeasy, and a spin doctor, Dr. Spin, who helps translate the words of the speechwriter and Lord Shrub. Speakeasy and Spin soon take control, and begin to reorganize the Royal Court. They follow a “plan” that will make it a leaner and meaner organization.

The Jester and Mertonsire finally realize what is happening and involve the audience in voicing group comments on Speakeasy and Spin’s actions. Lord Shrub now knows he has been misled by these “scheming, scumsucking, scalliwags” and challenges Speakeasy to a duel. It is not a normal duel with swords but a duel of words. Shrub gives him five words and if Speakeasy fails to spell them correctly he loses and is banished from the kingdom. However, if he spells them all correctly he will take over the crown and be made King.

The tension mounts as he spells the first four words correctly. But the final word brings him down. What is that one word that changed the future of this tiny kingdom? Will it spoil the story for you if we tell you? Nah . . . The word is “yggdrasil.” It is the name of the great ash tree that overshadows the world, binding together earth, heaven, and hell, according to Norse mythology. Not a word we normally encounter, and neither did Sir Speakeasy.

He loses the duel and is banished from the kingdom. The masque ends with the cast and audience singing “Deck the Hall,” or other appropriate jolly song.