The Princess and the Pea
We did this puppet play again yesterday, had a bunch of friends with kids
over, Good witty hilarious players, it was teriffic fun. (The original
performance featured Rachel and Larry Stallman, Mark Merrett as the King,
and Cathy Frank was the Queen) Here's the latest script, adapted by yers
truly with input from Larry Stallman, Gene Mirabelli, and Stardust Atkeson
Princess, Stardust Atkeson
Prince, Stewart Lehrman
Queen, Lori Lawrence
King, Bob Fullem
Stage Mgr, Ed Atkeson
Sound effects, Eric Liu
Video documentation, Summer Atkeson
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
(Medieval kazoo music with drums)
STAGE MGR: introduction of the classic and mystic, and most favorite tale.
Relates how he found the Hans Christian Anderson site on the web.
He takes too long explaning this stuff and the Queen pops up and tells him to get off the stage.
--------------------curtain
PRINCE out wandering the wide world, looking in vain for a true princess. He's very despondent.
I'll NEVER find a true princess. I've seen them all, I've been everywhere. I've seen some princesses, but were they true princesses? It has to be a true princess, whatever that is. WHY does it have to be a "true Princess?" Mom says, that's why.
When you're a prince, that sort of limits things. It's terrible, I'll be lonely forever.
--------------------comes to a castle, knocks, enters
Comes sadly home at last to the castle of his parents. KING, QUEEN, big homecoming, talk about son's adventures. Queen gives comic advice about finding princesses, "Have you been to Norway?" Stuart adlibs "Actually, I've been looking in the south of France." There is disrespect, squabbling.
Oh woe, I will never find a true princess! I've looked everywhere, etc. Mom, tell me again why she has to be a true princess?
Queen explains why the princess has to be true, she would be mortified, etc.
King hints that the Queen herself may not have been royalty. Queen is horrified. Big fight between the Queen and King.
--------------------curtain
PRINCESS (bedraggled), has been wandering the wide world. She has come by chance into this wood after travelling from a far far distant land. (forest sounds)
Princess is in good spirits, but is talking to herself about having to run away from home, she grumbles about an arranged marriage with some old geezer. But... it's so pleasant camping under the stars in this beautiful place.
She starts to set up camp when (sound effects) a slashing storm comes up, she sees a light and goes to the castle.
--------------------knocks, enters
PRINCE, QUEEN, KING, let the Princess in. She states that she is a Princess from a far far land. Queen is very dubious. KING believes the princess, takes her side in the argument. This results in a big loud fight, things being thrown.
The Prince is lovestruck.
--------------------curtain
PRINCE alone: Woooowoowoowoowoowoo! I'm in love! I'm in love! I'm in love! and etc. Oh, I've never, etc. I don't even care if she's a true princess.
Sadly, he worrys about his mom ruining everything.
--------------------curtain
Curtain rises on KING and QUEEN, still arguing fiercely, Queen devises pea-in-the-mattresses test. Prince is seen to be eavesdropping.
QUEEN, I'm decided, She absolutely has to be a true princess, if not, we'll be the laughingstock of the neighborhood. Things are bad enough around here. We don't know a thing about this girl. She comes in here claiming to be...
KING is wise, dignified, but holds his own with the Queen. Queen chatters away, but then slows down and waits for the King to speak. He agrees to the test.
When the Queen thinks of the test, The Prince overhears and gets an idea.
--------------------curtain
PRINCESS comes in in new clothes, and ribbons in her hair.
Oh, don't you look so much better! Queen shows P. to bedroom. Princess goes out to get ready for sleep, Queen inserts the pea.
While the Princess steps out for a moment, the Prince comes in stealthily and inserts a large boulder.
Princess comes in, goes to bed, tosses, turns.
--------------------curtain
KING, QUEEN, PRINCE, at breakfast, PRINCESS comes in, says she had a terrible night. Queen begrudgingly is convinced at last of her credentials. Wedding arrangements are made, P and P are happy happy.
--------------------curtain
PRINCE, PRINCESS, talk about the future. Prince mentions that he will never know if she is a real princess. Princess (surprised) explains that that these old rules are all hokum. "If I was paying attention to this oldfashioned stuff I'd be back at home married to my Uncle."
It DOESN'T MATTER if I'm a "true princess." The only thing that matters is that we're in love.
PRINCESS explains to him that princesses aren't like they used to be, frail and helpless. (Stuart adlibs, "but princes are.") The Princess continues, "Sensitive, yes, but look I've been camping out here for three months, sleeping on the hard ground. Sleeping on a pea, give me a break."
PRINCE is surprised at the princess's modern ideas. Is it really true? It's true? I've found my princess?
"clack" they embrace passionately. (Stardust's idea to do this, pretty funny)
--------------------curtain
Time for bed. PRINCESS spends another night in the castle. Prince sneaks in and removes the boulder before she goes to sleep. Curtain comes down while she tosses and turns.
--------------------curtain
KING, QUEEN, PRINCE, at breakfast, PRINCESS enters. She's had another terrible night.
Queen jumps up, horrified that she forgot to take out the pea, she apologizes profusely.
Prince jumps up, delighted. I KNEW you were a true princess! I knew it I knew it I knew it.
Princess (flatly): Well what did you think? Of course I'm a true Princess.
Prince jumps around the room, even kisses his Mom, "A true Princess!" I knew it!
--------------------curtain
STAGE MGR, tells how the Princess and the Prince went on to become the King and Queen of all Yootland and the surrounding islands and territories, and how it was the grandest and happiest reign in the history of all the monarchies of the entire world. The famous pea can still be viewed at the Danish National Institute of History.
(Medieval kazoo music with drums)