Running time approx. 60 mins.
This is a fun story. This King decides that his three sons should get married, so he orders them to shoot arrows from the palace and marry the girls who find their arrows. (A bit of a hazardous way of choosing a bride, in many respects. Good job they didn’t have Health and Safety breathing down their necks in medieval times!) Anyway, the two older sons cheat and tell their girlfriends where their arrows are going to land but the youngest, honourable son (there’s always one, isn’t there? A sweet lad who is the youngest?) shoots his arrow randomly and it is found by woman who has been turned into a frog by an evil magician. Now there’s a dilemma! So, youngest son takes the frog-woman home, she reveals the spell she is under, and he goes off to try and break the spell. Meanwhile, the King sets the would-be princesses some tasks, to prove their worthiness. It’s a bit like I’m a Celebrity, only with lots of cheating!
Oh, and there are also some talking animals, singing skeletons and a business-savvy witch. Expect the unexpected!
26 SPEAKING PARTS AND ANY NUMBER OF NON SPEAKING/SINGING
Suggested songs:
- Bless Your Beautiful Hide (Howard Keel)
- It’s Not Easy Being Green (Kermit the Frog)
- We All Stand Together (Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus)
- Help! (The Beatles)
- I Put A Spell On You (Joe Cocker)
- Reach Out and I’ll Be There (Four Tops)
- Food Glorious Food (from Oliver!)
Our scripts provide links to backing tracks for the songs, which can be purchased and downloaded for a very modest fee. As with all our plays, there are full production notes that give advice on scenery, costumes, and props.
NO ROYALTIES, PHOTOCOPYING LICENCE INCLUDED.
Here’s a sample
Part of SCENE 1…
(The Palace throne room. There is a throne in the centre of a bare stage.
The Minister of Justice enters with the three Ladies – Anna, Caroline and
Natasha.)
MINISTER
Well, I said to the King that things couldn’t go on as they are…
ANNA
And what did he say, Minister?
MINISTER
He finally agreed!
(All the LADIES make approving noises and clap their hands.)
CAROLINE
So he’s finally agreed that his sons should be married?
MINISTER
Absolutely.
NATASHA
So that means we might be in with a chance! I’ve always wanted to be a
Princess!
ANNA
Me too!
CAROLINE
And me!
MINISTER
Now, ladies, don’t get your hopes up. Knowing the King, he will have his
own ideas on the subject. It took me long enough to persuade him. I have a
feeling that it won’t be a simple matter.
(There is a fanfare sounded offstage.)
VOICE OFFSTAGE (shouting)
His Imperial Majesty, the King approaches – accompanied by their
Imperial Highnesses, Princes Michael, Henry and Stephen!
(The KING and his sons enter. The MINISTER and the LADIES bow and
curtsey. The KING sits on his throne.)
KING
Right! So I’ve been persuaded that it is time that my three sons were
married.
(The LADIES all looked pleased and excited)
But… (He pauses for effect) I have decided that we shall leave the choice
of brides to Fate.
MINISTER (looking concerned)
What do you mean, Your Imperial Majesty?
KING
I’m not having all this nonsense of balls and parties to choose brides. I
can’t stand the thought of the ladies at court primping and preening
themselves all the time in the hope that they will be chosen as a suitable
Princess.
(The LADIES all go “Aaw” and look disappointed.)
See? (Pointing at the LADIES) They were all waiting for this chance!
Well, I’m not having any of that nonsense. Like I said, Fate will decide.
MICHAEL
What exactly are you proposing, Father?
KING
Ah! I have a plan! Each one of you is going to fire an arrow from that
window (pointing offstage left) – shoot it as far as you can – and whatever
young lady finds the arrow will be your bride.
HENRY
What!! That’s a stupid idea! What if the woman who finds my arrow is
ugly?
MICHAEL
Or really poor and in rags?
STEPHEN
Brothers, brothers…you must trust in Fate and our father and all will be
well.
MICHAEL (sarcastically)
Oh trust you to be OK with this dumb idea. You always have to see the
good in everything!
KING
Boys, boys! Stop squabbling! I have made a decree and you must just get
on with it. (calling) Sergeant At Arms!
(The SERGEANT appears.)
SARGEANT bowing)
Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?
KING
Fetch me a bow and three different coloured arrows.
SARGEANT
One bow and three different coloured arrows. Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.
(He bows and leaves)
MINISTER
I just hope that the arrows don’t kill anyone, Your Imperial Majesty!
KING
Mm. That’s a good point. Can’t have people shot down by the Princes, can
we? Minister, you must send out a decree and tell everyone they must stay
in their homes all day tomorrow. We’ll postpone the event until then. Tell
them they have to stay in all day, mind. It’s going to take us quite a while.
MINISTER
Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.
(He bows and exits. The SERGEANT returns with a bow and three different coloured arrows. He bows to the KING.)
SARGEANT
The items you requested, Your Imperial Majesty.
KING
Thank you, Sergeant, but we are postponing the event until tomorrow, so
you will have to bring them back then.
SERGEANT
Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. (He bows and exits.)
HENRY
I’m trembling with fear as to what sort of girl will find my arrow.
MICHAEL
Me too. I would much rather have picked my own bride.
STEPHEN
Cheer up, brothers! There could be a beautiful woman out there, just
waiting for you. You never know.