Most scripts have some level of audience interaction based on this ranking:
* Cast members banter with the general audience from the stage. ** Cast members go into the audience and banter with specific audience members. *** Cast member will bring specific audience members onstage to be part of the show in a non-threatening, good-natured way.
Scrooge, Marley, and Me
*NEW!King Scrydan is so cheap that he can't even pay attention. And if he did, he would know that everyone calls him Scrooge behind his back. Coming from beyond Jamaica, his dearly-departed brother Marley (along with a Jamaican to English interpreter) warns him that his skin-flint ways will lead to a fate worse than death. Scrooge will be visited by three ghosts who persuade him by whatever means necessary to mend his ways and learn to live a little. Lightly interactive with the audience and lots of fun. A great Christmas show.
*NEW! This play makes the story of Alice in Wonderland twisted--er.
Alice is quite bored with her school lesson but cannot attend the Queen’s
banquet until she finishes it. Ignoring
her professor’s riveting lecture, she sees a White Rabbit & pursues him through
a magical door where she meets many strange characters: the Mad Hatter (an eccentric Goth), the March
Hare (who is insulted when he is mistaken for a mere rabbit), and the Door
Mouse (they could not afford a Door Bell).
Because they find Alice tiresome, they send her on a quest to dethrone the Queen of Hearts. Along the way she meets more curious characters: Tweedle-Dum and
Tweedle-Dummer, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle, and finally the Queen of Hearts
who forces her to play croquet. Accusations of cheating lead to a trial
that rivals the best of Judge Judy and The Jerry Springer Show. The
play has a happy ending and no actual playing cards are injured in the course
of the evening.
*NEW!In King Richard's absence, Prince John has taken over the kingdom and is taxing everyone to death. Robin the Hood is not much better. He robs from the rich, but after that, he's pretty much all talk. Maid Marian has either been kidnapped or has run off with Robin and his Merries, depending on whom you talk to. What's a Friar to do? All comes together at Prince John's annual tournament (and it's not archery this time). The Friar, with the help of some Nunjas, will right all wrongs. This highly-interactive comedy is another one of our mixed up versions of a familiar tale.
Cast size: (5 Male, 4 Female, 5 M/F, extras) Audience interaction: ** or *** (depending on how you play it)
Another Christmas and the king has arranged for a large Christmas banquet--family only this year. Well, you know how family reunions go. Someone always shows up with fruitcake, and mother doesn't always see things the way her kids do. And there's always the black sheep of the family--in this case, figuratively and literally (something about a witch casting a spell on a rude young man). Mix all of that in with a serving wench with attitude and the selfless act which will break the black sheep's spell, and you have our version of "the meaning of Christmas."
The Jester starts off the evening by incorporating a volunteer into his new act -- egg juggling. The King ends up with egg on his face, the volunteer doesn't get the yolk, and the Jester scrambles on out of the kingdom. His replacement, a female Jester, puts a new perspective on humor, though the King could live without her social commentary. Lady Abigail is betrothed, against her will, to Lord Boris, who takes a fancy to this new Jestress. Meanwhile, the Jester sneaks back to court and enlists the Town Crier's help in getting his job back. Dressed as the Jestress to take her place, he is mistakenly wooed by Lord Boris. The Jester teaches Lord Boris how to treat a lady -- sorta. This mixed-up comedy about fools in love is a favorite. Cast size:
(4 Male, 3 Female, 1 M/F, 1-4 Extras)
Audience interaction: *
Jester and Town Crier welcome the audience with a rhyming contest. The king, a crabby sort of fellow, has returned from the hunt and has invited a wise woman he met in the woods to the court. Though the king's only purpose is to have fun at her expense, he finds that the wise woman has a few tricks of her own. She leaves the queen with an unusual ring, one which will force the wearer to always tell the truth. As the ring gets passed around the court, they find that they must tell the truth, which simply is just not done in polite society. Truth replaces flattery in the court, and the king's dungeons are getting, well, full. The queen may be able to talk some sense into him, but it will likely take more than that. Find out if the king really can handle the truth!
The Royal Jester is taking his first vacation in ten years. His temporary replacement, Mitch, is a big hit with the Queen and her daughters. Unbeknownst to the court, Mitch's jokes are ghostwritten by his sister Rosalyn, who poses as Mitch's servant. The Jester sees that his job is in danger and trouble ensues as the Royal Jester tries to steal Mitch's jokes. Rosalyn goes on strike, so in desperation, Mitch steals the Jester's jokes. Mitch woos the three princesses using the Jester's jokes -- and it ends up being no laughing matter.
Beowulf and his band of Norsemen and (Norsewoman) journey to the hall of King Hrothgar to rid him of the monster Gretel, who does unspeakable acts of terror. You might be wondering what, exactly, the monster does that is so terrible, but didn't we just say that her acts were unspeakable? Though Beowulf loses a few good men to such acts of terror, his fellow Norsewoman proposes a solution. Of course, her solution doesn't involve violence or the great, heroic, manly, testosterone-saturated deeds that Beowulf would prefer. Ever quick on his feet, though, Beowulf finds a way to resolve this story with the stuff that legends (or in this case, required high school literature) are made of.
Princess Abigail is trying to find out if she got the Wee Box 300 for Christmas. (It has improved graphics and tongue clips!) Her grandmother is visiting and decides to share a very unusual present with her instead. It's called a "book." As they read the story, they are transported back to Renaissance times. Abigail and her grandmother become characters in the story, which is about a spoiled princess who wants something called a "wee box" for Christmas. The royalty try to figure out just what this is: a small box? Wee box shoes? Rock 'em Sock 'em We box? But, in the end, it is the princess who finds out that there are other presents that have been handed down that are much better than the gifts we think we want. Though most of our scripts are generic, this one has a more specific Christian theme. Cast size: (5 Male, 6 Female, Extras)
Audience interaction: ***
Sir Gareth, under aegis (isn't that a neat word) from his mother the
Queen of Orkney, goes to work as a kitchen knave for the Court of King
Arthur for a year and a day without revealing his true identity.
Lynette comes to the court to ask a boon of King Arthur. She needs his
bravest knight (all look to Lancelot) to save her sister, who is being
held captive by 3 evil knights. Arthur gives the quest to Gareth, the
kitchen knave. All are shocked and Lynette is incensed. She vents her
spleen on Gareth, who patiently endures her verbal abuse for the
duration of the quest. We learn that nobility comes from actions, not
coats-of-arms. Cast size: (8-12 male, 7-8 female, 3-5 M or F)
Audience interaction: ***
Town Crier welcomes the crowd and recalls the tale of Prince
Ernest, who is grave (In the glum, not dead, sense of the word). The Jester uses his best material to make the prince laugh, to
no avail. The Queen is losing her patience, and Jester is losing his
job. Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, lives Grace, who is
clumsy accident prone. Her mother is desperate to get her married off, but no suitor has yet proven . .
. durable . . . enough. Can any man survive a serious relationship with
Grace? Can any woman revive a humorous relationship with Prince Ernest? Can any person not
recognize those blatant puns? This play is excellent for physical humor. Cast size:
(6 M, 3 F, 3 Extras M/F)
Audience interaction: **
The Importance of Saving Ernest - extended version
Have
so much talent that you can't turn people away? This popular play now
has additional sections to accommodate extra actors. Note that the
running time is now 60-80 minutes long, but it is spread out over the
course of the meal and, besides, what else do your guests have to do
that night? Extended cast size: (10 M, 8 F, 3 M/F)
Audience interaction: **
*Revised edition 2010! We took notes through the years and have compiled this user-friendly book to get you started on your Madrigal or Medieval Dinner. The book includes a timeline for planning, what committees are needed, when you should schedule your event, sample menus, cheap decorating ideas, and more. You don't have to learn the hard way after all! Check out the Table of Contents . . .
Kissing the Blarney Stone
The Jester’s jokes are just not that funny.He’s got writer’s block and is afraid of
losing his job if he doesn’t come up with better jokes. Miss Allison, Town Crier's former (and not favorite) speech teacher, is at the castle; the Town Crier suggests, instead, that the Jester go kiss the
Blarney Stone and get the gift of gab.Meanwhile, others in the castle have been downsized due to their lack of eloquence: an advertising executive whose jingles need
help, a politician whose campaign slogans need help, and a lover whose pick-up
lines need a lot of help.All decide to travel to the Blarney Stone to get the gift of gab. In an effort to keep her job, Allison
tries to mess things up for everyone else, with mixed-up results. For a play on words, this comedy rocks.
The Jester is gifted at giving regifted gifts. She wants to trade up to that pinnacle of gifts -- a pony! Meanwhile, the Prince has just been knighted and must live up to his vows. But can he keep his vows and keep his gifts: a belt, a chain, spurs and a sword? Famish (formerly known as fat) needs a belt to hold his pants up, which keep falling down. Heidi needs a chain to leash her stuffed puppy dog, Sue Flay the pastry chef needs a pastry wheel, and spit needs a carving knive. Will the Prince keep the spirit or the letter of his vows? This script is perfect for the Christmas season, which nowadays runs from Columbus Day to the Superbowl. Cast size: (5 Male/ 7 Female/ Extras)
The plot begins as Arthur, trying to take a fast buck, is accused of
poaching by the Black Knight. He attacks the King and, even though
Arthur defends himself valiantly with a rubber chicken, defeats him. In
order to keep his kingdom, Arthur must answer a riddle: what do women
most desire? A Hag can provide the answer, but only if Arthur can find
a knight to marry her. Sir Gawain, an impetuous young knight,
volunteers to defend the king's honor before he meets his bride-to-be.
The test is: will Gawain be true to his word? This script is full of
puns, laughter, and audience interaction. And only the answer to
another riddle will keep everyone living happily ever-after. Cast size:
(4 male, 5 female)
Audience interaction: *
The king is highly disappointed with his foreign minister, who has no
flair for the grand lies that will keep up appearances with the other
kings of the land. In order to locate a better liar for the position,
the king decides to hold a lying contest. The person who can tell the
best lie will become the new foreign minister. Meanwhile, Peter Piper,
from a place called Poppycock with a pittance of a population, has
decided to seek his fortune. He's a pauper, you know. In order to
perform a good deed for an unusual woman he meets, he must find (among
other things) a flower that blooms in the winter solstice, a newborn
lamb with two clefts in its right front hoof, and an answer to a riddle
for a leprechaun. All we can say about this one is that truth is
sometimes stranger than fiction.
Cast size: (4 male, 3 female, 3 M or F) Audience interaction: **
The castle has been invaded by pirates, and the ladies of the castle are at their mercy. A quick-thinking Queen challenges the pirates to a contest, winner take all. The pirates must learn table manners taught to them by an unwilling Jester (so you can imagine how that goes), and the ladies of the court must learn swordplay as best as they can before dessert. This play is loaded with physical humor, for instance Captain Kidd, who can both wield a sword and eat with his feet. In the end, the ladies of the castle prove to be quite the match for the pirates. Aarrgh!
Teeney Bob (The Demon Pet Groomer of Sweet Street)
The Jester has returned from vacation with a "merry companion" he met on the ship: Teeney Bob, a former postal worker who has managed to escape from his exile in . . . Jamaica. While looking for work, Teeney Bob meets Mrs. Love-It, who is having a hard time attracting business at her hotdog stand (we can't imagine why). Teeney has a score to settle with Judge Joonie's dog Fi-Fi, the ferocious mutt who caused all the trouble in the first place, so Mrs. Love-It gets him started as a pet groomer. As it so happens, the king is looking for a new royal pet groomer, and Jester recruits his "merry companion" from the ship. Teeney Bob will come as long as Mrs. Love-It can come work in the king's kitchen (just in time for dessert). When Jester discovers that Judge Joonie and Fi-Fi are dinner guests of the king, everything gets a bit . . . worrisome. Can the Jester and Town Crier save Fi-Fi? In case you're worried, yes, they can. (No pets, real or imagined, are harmed in this script. )
The jester of this court does not understand the serious nature involved with traditional Scottish dress. His jokes about kilts get him into trouble when, in fact, one has been found . . . murdered! Highly-interactive with the audience, this tale tries to solve this horrendous crime! Oh, what villain
knows how to wield a seam ripper so skillfully? And darning needle was
also used? (What a darned bad way to die!) Using suspects from the
cast as well as the audience, this medieval-based parody of Law &
Order will keep you laughing until the end.
Cast size:
(5 male, 4 female, 3-5 M or F)
Audience interaction: ***
Prince Charming is not. Charming that is. So he needs the help of Rosalyn, a woman with ideas of her own who is serving penance as a scrub woman for distributing radical leaflets to the commoners. Rosalyn agrees to help Charming after hearing his atrocious attempts at love poetry. The problem is that Rosalyn is cynical about love after her own messy break-up. And she doesn't really know which princess is the "object of Charming's agitated physiological reaction." Add in a Jester who can't read and, well, this never turns out well. Cast size: (6 female, 2 male, 2-5 Extras M/F)
"We used A Ring of Truth for our madrigal dinner this year, and the audience loved it! Thank you!"
-Mark Rohwer, Ph.D.
Flower Mound High School,
Flower Mound, TX
"Your writing has a very polished quality, and the notes
and directions would give any company anything they'd want to stage the
plays. Lots of applause!"
-Dr. Paul Thomas
University of Wisconsin,
Eau Claire, WI
"You are growing a fan base in the deep South."
-Randall Fields
Bob Jones High School, Madison, AL
"Funny, witty, literate, always pointed-- sometimes outrageous. Highly recommended."
-Rev. Richard Bridston
New York City, NY
"Last year was our first ever madrigal dinner, and it was a huge success! We used A Christmas Fruitcake and loved it!"
-Melissa Powers
Daniel Boone High School, Kingsport, TN
"Beowulf was a huge hit! The Liberal Arts instructors (including English) loved it."
-Sara Alstat, Music Director
Rend Lake College
"One of the biggest highlights of our Renaissance Faire was Who Killed the Kilt. Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we enjoyed it every time we sat down to watch."
-Kenton & Rebecca Whitman, Directors of Entertainment
Wisconsin Renaissance Faire
"We
performed A Ring of Truth. This was the first madrigal ever at our
school, and it was awesome! The audience loved the play!"
-Elizabeth Van Maanen, Hull Christian School
"A Christmas Fruitcake (And Other Weighty Matters) was
a fun script, and it made our very first madrigal dinner a great success!
People are still asking when the next one will be."
-Dr. James Lee
Community Performing Arts Project
Coastal Bend College
All comes together at Prince John's annual tournament (and it's not archery this time). The Friar, with the help of some Nunjas, will right all wrongs. This highly-interactive comedy is another one of our mixed up versions of a familiar tale.
Lady Abigail is betrothed, against her will, to Lord Boris, who takes a fancy to this new Jestress. Meanwhile, the Jester sneaks back to court and enlists the Town Crier's help in getting his job back. Dressed as the Jestress to take her place, he is mistakenly wooed by Lord Boris. The Jester teaches Lord Boris how to treat a lady -- sorta. This mixed-up comedy about fools in love is a favorite. Cast size:
(4 Male, 3 Female, 1 M/F, 1-4 Extras)
(It has improved graphics and tongue clips!) Her grandmother is visiting and decides to share a very unusual present with her instead. It's called a "book." As they read the story, they are transported back to Renaissance times. Abigail and her grandmother become characters in the story, which is about a spoiled princess who wants something called a "wee box" for Christmas. The royalty try to figure out just what this is: a small box? Wee box shoes? Rock 'em Sock 'em We box? But, in the end, it is the princess who finds out that there are other presents that have been handed down that are much better than the gifts we think we want. Though most of our scripts are generic, this one has a more specific Christian theme. Cast size: (5 Male, 6 Female, Extras)
comes to the court to ask a boon of King Arthur. She needs his
bravest knight (all look to Lancelot) to save her sister, who is being
held captive by 3 evil knights. Arthur gives the quest to Gareth, the
kitchen knave. All are shocked and Lynette is incensed. She vents her
spleen on Gareth, who patiently endures her verbal abuse for the
duration of the quest. We learn that nobility comes from actions, not
coats-of-arms. Cast size: (8-12 male, 7-8 female, 3-5 M or F)
by the Black Knight. He attacks the King and, even though
Arthur defends himself valiantly with a rubber chicken, defeats him. In
order to keep his kingdom, Arthur must answer a riddle: what do women
most desire? A Hag can provide the answer, but only if Arthur can find
a knight to marry her. Sir Gawain, an impetuous young knight,
volunteers to defend the king's honor before he meets his bride-to-be.
The test is: will Gawain be true to his word? This script is full of
puns, laughter, and audience interaction. And only the answer to
another riddle will keep everyone living happily ever-after. Cast size:
(4 male, 5 female)
)
this horrendous crime! Oh, what villain
knows how to wield a seam ripper so skillfully? And darning needle was
also used? (What a darned bad way to die!) Using suspects from the
cast as well as the audience, this medieval-based parody of Law &
Order will keep you laughing until the end.