The
Princess Bride
by Joseph,
Thomas, Laura, and Diana
Setting:
an English village called Stonebridge in the year 1512
Characters:
Princess Gwen
King George
Queen Victoria
Prince John
Prince William
Prince Charles
Wizard
Servant
Music: from the Medieval Times web
page plays in the background.
Scene 1 - The royal palace of King George
Scenery: The stage is set with two
thrones.
(King George and
Queen Victoria are seated on their thrones in the royal throne room).
King: Madam, our
beautiful daughter, Princess Gwen, is nigh upon seventeen years. It is
time for her to marry.
Queen: Yes, my
liege, we must find a suitable bridegroom for our lovely Gwen. What
qualities should the bridegroom possess?
King: It is
important for him to be clever and wise. The prince that our daughter
marries shall one day rule a kingdom. Her must rule wisely.
Queen: What about
qualities such as strength and courage?
King: My queen,
strength and courage are needed in our son-in-law. But it most important
that the prince who marries our Gwen is clever and wise. We do not wish a
son-in-law who will squander away our fortune or make bad decisions and
decrees that result in the loss of our kingdom.
(speaking to
servant) Summon my royal wizard.
Servant: Oh royal
wizard of Stonebridge.
(The royal wizard
enters)
Wizard: Your
majesties, how may be of service?
King: Good
sir, it is time to find a proper suitor for the hand of Princess Gwen. How
shall we determine which suitors are clever and wise? It is your duty to
devise a method of determining the cleverness of the suitors who will wish
to marry the lovely Princess Gwen.
Wizard: I shall
consult my crystal ball? Aha, we shall have a joust. Surely, it takes a
clever squire to win a joust. Your highness shall knight the squire and he
shall marry Princess Gwen.
Queen: No, no,
no! That will not do. A joust merely tests strength and courage. What plan
have you to determine a suitor's wisdom and cleverness?
Wizard: I shall
consult my crystal ball again. Aha! I have it. We shall hold a chess
tournament. Surely, it takes a wise and clever man who can use the best
strategies to win a chess tournament.
King: So let it
be. Devise a plan to spread the word to all of the eligible princes in our
kingdom to come to the castle in a fortnight for the royal chess
tournament.
Wizard: I shall
do so. My trusty parrot shall fly across the kingdom with this decree,
"All who choose to vie for the hand of the lovely Princess Gwen, meet at
the castle of Stonebridge in one fortnight."
(The parrot flies
out the throne room window). Curtain closes.
Scene 2 - The royal throne room
Scenery:
The stage is set with three thrones, a bridge table and two chairs.
(The King, Queen,
and Princess Gwen sit upon their thrones).
Servant: Your
royal majesties, the suitors enter anon.
(Prince John
enters and bows before the royal family).
Prince John: Your
royal majesties. I have traveled long and far. I wish to compete for the
hand of Princess Gwen.
King: Grammercy. How now
good prince? What be thy tide?
Prince John: I am
called Prince John.
King: Be seated
at the chess table.
(Prince William
enters and bows before the royal family).
Prince William:
Your majesties. I have traveled long and far. I wish to compete for the
hand of Princess Gwen.
King: Good day.
Hail and well met. What be thy tide?
Prince William: I
am Prince William.
King: Be seated
at the chess table.
Prince John: Good
day, my lord. Prepare to lose.
Prince William:
Good day, my good man. I shall prepare to win.
(The two princes
have a mock chess game. Each opponent announces his chess moves).
Prince William:
(announces triumphantly) I have won. I have proven my wisdom and
cleverness!
Prince John: Fare
thee well. I must away.
Princess Gwen:
(addresses Prince William) Hail and well done. Prithee, approach my throne
so that I may look upon you.
Prince William:
(approaches and kneels before the princess) Do I please you, my princess?
Princess Gwen:
Aye.
King: Prince
William, you must now compete against Prince Charles for my daughter's
hand.
Servant: Prince
Charles arrives.
Prince Charles:
Good day, your majesties. I have traveled long and far to compete for the
hand of the princess.
King: Good
morrow, good sir. Be seated at the chess table.
Prince Charles: I
shall have the princess's hand. Prepare to lose.
Prince William: I
shall prepare to win, good fellow.
(The two princes
have a mock chess game. Each opponent announces his chess moves).
Prince William:
(announces triumphantly) I have won. I have proven my wisdom and
cleverness! Now I shall have the hand of Princess Gwen. (William bows
before the king and queen). May I have the honor of marrying the beautiful
Princess Gwen?
King and Queen:
Well done, good fellow! You may marry the princess.
Prince William:
(bowing before Princess Gwen) My lovely princess. Would you accept my
marriage offer?
Princess Gwen:
You are truly wise and clever. I shall be your bride.
King and Queen:
Welcome to our royal family.
(The curtain
closes with the sound of wedding bells ringing).
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