data Playsdataplays.dk/PDF/Sworddance.pdfThe Sword Dance Highland Musical Drama from the year 1658 Original story, music and lyrics by Jens E.Hansen data Plays 2001The Sword Dance

The Sword Dance

Highland Musical Drama

from the year 1658

Original story, music and lyrics

by

Jens E.Hansen

data Plays

2001

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page i

Contents

Personae .......................................................................................................................................... ii

Costumes & Further challenges ...................................................................................................... iv

Historical circumstances .................................................................................................................. v

Our story .......................................................................................................................................... v

The turbulent fantasy of an author .................................................................................................. vi

Note about the Sword Dance-dancing ............................................................................................ vi

Note about this manuscript ............................................................................................................. vi

ACT ONE ....................................................................................................................................... 1

Ouverture ..................................................................................................................................... 1

SCENE ONE ................................................................................................................................... 2

INTERMEZZO 1 ........................................................................................................................... 11

SCENE TWO ................................................................................................................................ 11

The Castle Builders' Song .......................................................................................................... 11

INTERMEZZO 2 ........................................................................................................................... 16

SCENE THREE ............................................................................................................................. 17

Ma Nellie's Lullaby ................................................................................................................... 17

SCENE FOUR ............................................................................................................................... 18

The Witch's Dance ..................................................................................................................... 18

SCENE FIVE ................................................................................................................................. 20

Singing Game ............................................................................................................................ 20

Party Song and Dance ................................................................................................................ 24

INTERMEZZO 3 ........................................................................................................................... 24

SCENE SIX ................................................................................................................................... 27

ACT TWO .................................................................................................................................... 32

SCENE SEVEN ............................................................................................................................. 32

SCENE EIGHT .............................................................................................................................. 32

Wendy's Love Song ................................................................................................................... 35

SCENE NINE ................................................................................................................................ 36

SCENE TEN .................................................................................................................................. 38

SCENE ELEVEN .......................................................................................................................... 42

SCENE TWELVE ......................................................................................................................... 48

INTERMEZZO 4 ........................................................................................................................... 49

The Girl Elf's Love Song ........................................................................................................... 49

SCENE THIRTEEN ...................................................................................................................... 49

INTERMEZZO 5 ........................................................................................................................... 53

SCENE FOURTEEN ..................................................................................................................... 55

Final Song and Dance ................................................................................................................ 58

Lyrics ............................................................................................................................................ 59

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page ii

The Sword Dance

The story takes place in the Scottish Highland in the year 1658

Personae

Gentlemen

JACK McNILE Childhood boyfriend with Gwendolyn. As a 13 year old boy gone

to war as a drummer boy with his father - in 1560. Captured by the

British and sent down to slave in a coalmine.

Must be able to sing, dance, fight with a word - and look as if he

knows how to play the flute!

McCRUM Sheep farmer. Renegade. Plunders the other Scots.

Wants to be Earl of Lochlan. A mean scoundrel!

PHILIP Son of McCrum - a snotty, selfish brat.

Must be able to fight with a sword and dance

(WILFRED) McBUNDY Gwendolyn's father and former rival to the title of Earl of Lochlan

THE SHERIFF OF

LOCHLAN

Englishman. Bribed by McCrum.

Otherwise, a genuine public servant, following the law to the letter

SAMMY Jack's (older) cousin

JOHN Jack's (younger) cousin, Sammy's little brother

The PRIEST A theatre mixture of protestant and catholic!

THE SECRETARY To the Sheriff

- no lines

THE HEROLD

Messenger from London

(May be a woman dressed as a man)

GUARDS The Sheriff's/McCrum's men - preferably 3-4

- no lines

JACK'S FATHER Fully dressed clans-man - second time around as a ghost!

- no lines

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page iii

Ladies

MA NELLIE Jack's mother. One proud lady - but things have turned bad for her

family since her husband died in the war against the British

Must be able to sing

GWENDOLYN =

WENDY

Jack's childhood girlfriend. Daughter of Wilfred and Emmy

McBundy

Must be able to sing

SARAH Jack's sister

CELIA Jack's sister

ANNABELLE Jack's sister

The WITCH A mixture of Mozart's 'Queen of the Night' and theVoelve on

Iceland.

EMMY McBUNDY Gwendolyn's mother

Others

YOUNG JACK Young version of our hero.

Boy,10-12 years old - No lines

YOUNG WENDY

Young version of our heroin.

Girl,10-12 years old - No lines

GIRL ELF

Young Elf, who falls in love with Jack.

Girl,10-12 years old - No lines

BOY ELF

Unhappy boyfriend to the Girl Elf

Boy,10-12 years old - No lines

ELVES 6-8 of them - children, preferably!

TROLLCHILDREN 4-5 of them

SCOTSMEN and

-WOMEN

As many as possible

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page iv

Costumes & Further challenges

Generally

The ladies are dressed in every-day-dresses with big white aprons. In the crowd scenes and the

parties, the aprons are taken off and fine shawls over the shoulders are added.

The gentlemen are dressed in simple trousers and blouses. At party-time they are dressed in the

clan ourfit, preferably.

Special features

Jack's Father must be fully dressed in clan outfit.

The Sheriff and the Secretary are dressed in public servants' clothing according to their standing.

They are NOT Scots!

Full clan outfits for the gentlemen - if you give up, it's OK by me!

A large Oak Tree that can split down the middle.

The Boy Elf must catch the flute when Jack throws it.

The Witch's throne is a challenge to the imagination and creativity. It must be mobile - and

preferably with light effects on board.

The group dances are 'supposed' to be along the lines of 'Riverdance'. Otherwise, just jump merrily

around in your own homemade choreography.

Thunder and lightning.

Many, many places in the story, the bystanders or the crowd are speaking their comments to the

action. At these parts, the director and actors must agree on who-says-what - or rely on the actors'

talent for improvisation! Everybody must be aware that modern language and cursing is strongly

forbidden, though!

The Sword Dance, itself, demands a certain knowledge of this special kind of dancing

(see note, later). If in despair, a mixture of shoe-kicking, calf-slapping and funny jumping can fool

a lot of people into thinking that the choreographer knows her business!

If at hand, let real bagpipers play their instruments on stage.

The sword fighting scene definately demands some expert advise! And agile actors.

Jack's flute is a small wooden 'flute traverse' - at the beginning (during the Ouverture), then

growing into a larger specimen of the same species when he returns as a man.

Several 'real' swords.

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page v

Historical circumstances From 1603, England and Scotland are ruled by members of the Scotch Stuart family. At first,

Marie Stuart's son, James, getting number I, then Charles, likewise, the Ist.

Although Charles isn't very popular in Scotland, the Scots, nevertheless, are infuriated when the

English warlord, Oliver Cromwell, in 1628 dethrones Charles and executes him. After this,

Cromwell is in fact the sole reign (dictator) of the British Empire.

In 1650 the Irish and Scots rebel, but suffer a humiliating defeat to Cromwell's soldiers, the so-

called Ironsides.

Cromwell dies in 1658, and his son, Richard, takes over. He quickly realises that he's not fit for

the job and six months later (!) he steps down.

This leaves room for the good'ol' Parliament to take up the power after nearly 30 years of lazying-

around. They still don't want to do an honest day's work, so they reinstates the Monarchy,

acknowledging yet a fresh Stuart for the tough job of being King of England: another James, who

gets the number II. The Scots are back in business!

Among the brave Scotchmen fighting against the Brits in 1650, were a lot of young boys,

marching in front of the army, playing their flutes and drums - to scare the enemy! Quiet a

dangerous position, which our story also proves to show.

Our story Takes place in 1658 - at the time of Oliver Cromwell's death.

Jack, a 13 year old Scottish boy, takes part in a battle against the Brits - and as he has never

returned, everybody consider him dead - or, at least, taken prisoner by the enemy.

(His father died in the same battle.)

Jack has been taken prisoner and sent down a coalmine to slave (as a lot of children did in Great

Britain in those days (up till 1900, actually!), but now - 8 years later - he manages to escape the

coalmine and is returning home

While Jack is away, the Brits and some treacherous Scottish renegades plunder and steal whatever

they can from the population.

As it shows, Jack is returning to a whole lot of mess in the Highlands ...

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page vi

The turbulent fantasy of an author As in any kind of fiction, this story contains an awful lot of ruthless mangling of historical - as

well as geographic, human (and otherwise non-logical) - facts!

If reality doesn't match our wishes - or the story - we change it!

Along these lines, I haven't the foggiest:

if prisoners of war where used in the mines (that there were children is a fact, though!)

if the prisoners of war were pardonned at the crowning of James II

how a Sword Dance is performed - see note beneath

if young couples had their banns read by the Church in those days - or not

if there are such things as Elves and Witches

Note about the Sword Dance-dancing (See also the notes about Highland dance in the supplement to this manuscript.)

There exists an English(/Scottish?) film, produced in the 1950s, called 'Wee Georgie', telling the

story of a puny Scottish boy who buys a bodybuilder course, grows into a giant and shows a

natural talent for hammer throwing (- real sledgehammers, mind you!)

This talent sends him to the other end of the world - the 1952 Olympics in Australia - where he,

besides winning the hammer throwing contest, rescues a child from being mashed by a car - by

lifting the car singlehandedly, of course!

My memory tells me that this film contains a scene where this pre-historic Schwarzenegger-

wannabe, is competing with some rivals by way of performing a strange dance around or on top of

some swords, placed crossed on the ground.

If this film can be dug out and re-viewed, it will hopefully give some clues as to the kind of dance

I have had rolling before my mind's eye writing this tale.

Otherwise, get those little grey - creative - cells working ...

Note about this manuscript In Denmark, we are so lucky as to have generally accepted terms for the LEFT and RIGHT of a

stage. As our Royal Theatre has a Royal Box to the left of the stage, LEFT is known as the 'King's

Side' and RIGHT is termed the 'Lady's Side'. (The Box for the Mistress(!) is on the opposite side

of the room, you see.)

As I haven't been able to discover a similar rule for this in English, I write LEFT and RIGHT as

seen from the audience in this manuscript. Naturally, this may create some confusion when

actors and director shout at each other, but I hope you can come to terms.

Have a good time with this drama

Jens E.Hansen, 2001

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The Sword Dance Jens E.Hansen, 2001 Page 1

The Sword dance

ACT ONE

Ouverture Nos. 1-7 on the CD

Nos. 1-2 on the CD

During the ouverture, the curtain rises/parts. We see a mountain scenery, more precisely we

are at the Oak by the Witch's Rocks. Maybe a small creek runs across the middle of the

stage. In BACKGROUND MIDSTAGE we see the trunk of a huge OAK TREE - with big

holes in the bark and great curvy branches. We cannot see very much of the leaves [if it's

possible to lower some leaves on a lift from the ceiling it would be marvellous]. It must be

possible for The Oak Tree to be hidden or removed completely and to be split down the

middle (see end of act 1 and later in act 2).

No. 3 on the CD

YOUNG JACK and YOUNG WENDY come running from the RIGHT.

YOUNG JACK carries a small flute and from time to time he demonstrates a wonderful skill

for playing. The children appear to be having a good time and when YOUNG JACK mimes

the plucking of some flowers and then (as a prank?) falls to his knee in front of YOUNG

WENDY, we understand they are sweethearts.

Nos. 4-5 on the CD Vague movements from behind the Oak Tree reveal a small group of ELVES peeping around

the tree trunk.They smile and nod to one another at the sweet sight. The GIRL ELF boldly

steps closer. She smiles at YOUNG JACK and frowns at YOUNG WENDY [both of which do

NOT see the ELVES!]. The BOY ELF runs after the GIRL ELF and drags her back to the

Oak Tree.

No. 6 on the CD

The romantic mood vanishes as JACK's FATHER appears - from RIGHT. He's in the full

clan outfit with a sword at his side. He carries a drum and clothes for YOUNG JACK.

He motions for YOUNG JACK to come closer.

Before going to his father YOUNG JACK embraces YOUNG WENDY (in pure innocence!).

Then, JACK's FATHER and YOUNG JACK leave - to the RIGHT. YOUNG WENDY waves

her hand. As they disappear, YOUNG WENDY weeps, turns around and runs off stage - to

LEFT - with her hands to her face.

The ELVES are long gone by then!

No. 7 on the CD

At the end of the ouverture the lights go dimmer - into a ghastly mood. The music and the

light signal something warlike - we understand fully that father and son have gone to war.

No. 8 on the CD As the light goes up again, we see a handful of ELVES sitting idly about. They look sad.

Hearing the rising flute they get to their feet and their faces light up.

JACK, now a grown man, comes wandering from LEFT. He's dressed in simple, worn-out

clothes, has a small sack over his shoulder. A (longer) flute is sticking out from the sack. He

stops and overlooks the place. Naturally, he doesn't see the Elves. He's pleased at the sight.

He sits on a rock/on the ground, stretches and inhales deeply - a bit tired as well.

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SCENE ONE

PART ACTION LINES

JACK Pulls out the flute while

gazing dreamily into space

Aaaahh... What could be more wonderful

than the smell of home! After all these

years!

And especially this spot where I played

with Wendy that last day before the war!

I can't wait to see her again.

Wonder if she's ... Wait, my good man.

Don't even think about that before we know

how everything is at home!

Well, I'll just have a bite before that last

mile.

But before I eat ...

During JACK's speech the ELVES suddenly look frightfully to the LEFT. Then, most of the ELVES

disappear but the GIRL ELF and BOY ELF stay behind and watch the following scene.

A GROUP OF CLOAKED PERSONS sneak up behind JACK - coming from the RIGHT.

As he is about to start playing, they fall upon him.

The CLOAKED PERSONS throw JACK over on the ground, grab his flute and his sack and start

checking to see if he is carrying anything more. Now we see that they are just women and

children.

JACK's cry for help is brutally stopped with a piece of cloth.

CELIA Raises the flute in triumph O-ho. This is mine! I can get at least four

shilling for this darling.

SARAH Rummaging the sack

Starts munching

Baah, nothing in here. Or - wait a minute ...

here's some bread!

ANNABELLE Reaches for the bread Share it. Share it, you scum. Giv'us a piece!

SARAH

Pulls quickly away and

protects her loot

Nope, you sheep droppings. There ain't

'nough for more'n me!

ANNABELLE Grabs the sack Aint there nothing more? Aarh, he's a real

pauper. The sack is empty, darnest!

Has he anything hidden on hisself?

CHILDREN More or less simultanously 'No' - 'Not a scrap' - Nothing worth eating'

et cetera

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PART ACTION LINES

ANNABELLE Looks at JACK Well, you aint worth nothing anyway, my

laddy. May's'well kill him, children.

SARAH Munching the last crumbs Hold it there, Annabelle. You know as well

as us that we don't just kill'em off like that,

dummy!

ANNABELLE Ah, says you! He's worth nothing. Just a

pauper, right? And if he knows nothing but

piping his flute, we can't even use him for

nothing practical. Let's jus' kill'im. Lots of

time to hide the body before Ma Nellie

comes along and ...

JACK At the word 'Ma Nellie' he

starts to writhe and whine

Mmmmm-mm-mm- ....

ANNABELLE Scornfully Yeah yeah. Wring along, little worm. But,

wait a minute ... maybe there is some use in

him after all. Not bad looking, I reckon...

What you say, Sarah? Rather nice, eh?

SARAH Studies JACK more closely.

Grabs his legs and feels

around - maybe even for

testing his (..!)

We-e-ell, nice legs, anyway. And not so old

by the looks. We might just get some fun

out of his ... [giggle-giggle] - unless ...

well, you'all know how difficult it is when

they aren't willing.

JACK turns on the ground so SARAH can't get hold of his (..!)

ANNABELLE Wouldn't I be the one to make a man work?

Just let me get my hands on him and you'll

see him ... straighten up!

The WOMEN and CHILDREN shriek loud and rauciously

MA NELLIE Comes in from the RIGHT Well, my wee ones. Let me see what you've

found.

JACK now lies still and stares intensely at MA NELLIE

CELIA Quickly hides the flute under

her skirt

He's just a poor one. Nothing worth

anything on him.

SARAH Gives CELIA a face

and tries to lift her skirt

Nothing, says you? And what about the

piping flute you're pleasuring under there.

CELIA Fights SARAH off Stop it, Sarah! It's mine. It's my flute.

MA NELLIE While studying JACK Now, now, you cackling ducks! If he has

anything of value we share, right?

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PART ACTION LINES

ANNABELLE Gives MA NELLIE a fresh

look

Ah, Ma Nellie, can't I take'im home? It's

been so-o-o long since I've had a decent

lad. Can't I, Ma, please ..?

SARAH Imitating Ma Nellie 'Now, now, you cackling duck. If he has

anything of value we share, right?'

WOMEN

and

CHILDREN

The WOMEN - except! MA

NELLIE - and CHILDREN

laugh loud and dirty

'Yes, I want him!' - 'Let me have him' -

'He's such a sweetie!' - 'No, me, no, me!' -

et cetera

MA NELLIE Silences them Be still, all. Let us have a better look at

him. Remove the rag.

SARAH Reaches down and removes

the piece of cloth

Ma Nellie want to gaze at you. And you

just be nice and quiet, understand?

JACK is about to say something

SARAH Sticks her pointing finger

under JACK's nose

Quiet, I said. You keep hush when Ma

Nellie speaks, right?

MA NELLIE Studies JACK more closely Hm, well ... He does look healthy and

lively. Maybe we could - ...

JACK looks yet more intensely into MA NELLIE's eyes.

MA NELLIE Stops in surprise.

The scream falters as she

recognises him

Those eyes ..? ... Nooohhh!!

It can't ... be. It can't be ... true?

But ... but, he ... is ..?

JACK gently shakes his head - still without speaking

MA NELLIE Grasps her mouth in wonder

Then, cautiously:

Jack? My ... wee ... Jack? Can it really be

true?

JACK Nods Yes, Ma. It's me, Jack.

MA NELLIE Gets slowly closer Little Jack. My little Jack. And all of us

reckoned you ...

Lassies! Let him loose, this instance!

Let him loose, you hear!

JACK Is released and jumps to his

feet. Embraces MA NELLIE

Ma Nellie. Am I glad to see you!

MA NELLIE Sobs happily Oh, my wee Jack. And look how you've

grown!

WOMEN and

CHILDREN

Laugh and clap their hands 'It's our brother' - 'He who's dead?' - 'Na,

you see he's not dead' - et cetera

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PART ACTION LINES

MA NELLIE Holds JACK out in her arms Let me take a good look at you, my laddy.

You've become quite a man, I say!

SARAH With a naughty look at

ANNABELLE

And Annabelle wanted him for at little - ...

ANNABELLE Slaps SARAH on the arm You be still. I would no such thing!

SARAH and

ANNABELLE

Yap at each other 'Yes, you would' - 'Would not!' - 'Would!' -

...

MA NELLIE Pulls JACK gently to

FRONT STAGE while trying

to silence the sisters

Now, you two. No more fighting. This is a

happy day! Our Jack has come home.

After all these years.

And will you give him back all you have

taken from my Jack. Now!, you hear.

Give it all back.

JACK gets back his sack and flute.

The WOMEN and CHILDREN form a semi-circle behind MA NELLIE and JACK

JACK While securing his flute in

the sack

Yes, eight years. I was nothing but a wee

lad the day, Father and I - ...

MA NELLIE Nods sadly As if I could forget that sad day when you

went to fight the British.

JACK Father? Is he ..?

MA NELLIE Nods again

Strokes his cheek gently

Your Father was killed in the war. And

when they brought him home, we - ...

Well, you were not with him and no one

knew what might have happened, so - ...

We thought you dead, Jack.

JACK Gazing sadly into space I got away from Father's company at the

very start of the battle. Most of the

drummer boys were slain but three of us

survived. Only to be led down a coal mine

and used as slaves.

CELIA Hisses spitefully Such swine, the British!

MA NELLIE Yes, and it's been hard times for us for

many years. And still is. Ever since the

monster, Evil Cromwell, murdered king

Charles!

JACK Nods ... and it is not going to be better times even

if the tyrant is dead, cause - ...

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PART ACTION LINES

MA NELLIE In surprise Cromwell's dead. There's some glad news,

for a change!

JACK Shakes his head No, not quite. His son, Richard, took over

the power right away. We will never see

another Stuart on the throne, I guess.

But one good thing came of the tyrants'

death. You see, his soldiers - and the guards

in the mines - were so confused by the loss

of their master that they didn't know what

to do. So one day I saw my chance and

escaped from the mine.

MA NELLIE Mine?

JACK Yes, the coal mine where I have slaved for

the British dogs for the last seven years!

WOMEN and

CHILDREN

One voice on top of the other 'British pigs!' - 'Kill'em all' - 'Death to the

tyrants' - et cetera

MA NELLIE Hushes them Quiet, y'all. Let's get home. We may not

have much to feast on but it is still a day of

joy. Come, let's celebrate Jack's return!

EVERYBODY prepare to leave, when

JACK Grabs MA NELLIE by the

arm. His voice is not as

steady as before

... ah ... yes ... Ma. But I have to hear ...

Please tell me what has happened to ... I

mean, our neighbours ... the McBundys - ...

or - ...

ANNABELLE With a girlish giggle 'All' the neighbours, dear Jack? Or maybe

just one very special neighbour ..?

WOMEN and CHILDREN giggle and laugh

MA NELLIE Hushes them again You are thinking of young Gwendolyn?

JACK A wee bit eargerly Yes ... Wendy - ... I mean: Gwendolyn, yes.

Has she ... is she ..?

MA NELLIE Looks away

JACK Squeezes her arm harder Answer me, then. Has anything happened

to Wendy?

EVERYBODY stand still, presumably ashamed of their humorous reaction.

MA NELLIE Shakes her head No, she's alright ... but ... well, in a way ...

JACK Pressing her What do you mean?

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

MA NELLIE Looks at JACK with sad eyes You see, Jack, the British have been giving

us a really hard time the last four or five

years. They are robbing us with their taxes.

And not only them.

Sadly enough, some of our so called fellow

countrymen have seen it fit to join up with

the Brits and are taking every advantage of

the sitatuation they can.

McCrum, you know. He who - ...

JACK McCrum? The sheep farmer from

Glenndale? That dog's turd? What has he

got to do with Wendy?

MA NELLIE Strokes his arms soothingly Please hear me out, Jack. It has not been

easy for any of us, you see. Our family, and

all the other good, honest Scottish families.

We have been under so much pressure from

the Brits and these renegades, we hardly

have food left to eat or clothes to wear.

And the land - ...

JACK With a start The land? Have they taken our land?

MA NELLIE Near tears McCrum has seized most of our land - and

our neighbours' land and the town's as well.

He makes no secret of it, either, that he

plans to own all the land in the county and

when he does - he's convinced the Brits

will make him Earl of Lochlan.

JACK Earl of Lochland! Never will that be! Our

family was to have that title.

King Charles gave Father his promise!

Cursed be the day he was executed by

Cromwell! Oh, wait 'till I can lay my - ...

MA NELLIE Calm down, Jack. It's no use. McCrum is

best friends with a lot of powerful Brits, not

to mention the Sheriff of Lochlan.

You can't touch him.

JACK Holds back his rage But - ..? You still haven't told me what

business that scoundrel has with Wendy?

MA NELLIE looks to the ground

ALL the others look equally embarrased. After a short silence:

SARAH Softly She's to be married, Jack

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

JACK Shaken but fairly composed Married?! Oh, did I ever fear such news!

But she is not married yet? When is she to

be ..?

SARAH In two weeks. At the big Fair at Lochlan,

Wendy and McCrum's son are to have their

banns read, and - ...

JACK Now both angry and

confused

Philip??!! Wendy is to be married to

Philip? That snooty, snobbish, selfish ...

that ... that ... No! It can't be true. Wendy

would never agree to that!

MA NELLIE Daring to speak again As I said, it hasn't been easy for any of the

families. The McBundys, as well. Last

year, when they didn't have enough to pay

their debts to McCrum they saw no way out

but to agree to his wicked proposal.

JACK What proposal?

The three sisters can hardly wait to have their say in the following:

SARAH That Gwendolyn should move up to

McCrum's castle and get married to Philip.

JACK Thoughtfully Well, but ..? That was last year, you said.

Why aren't they ... I mean - ...

SARAH McCrum's wife took ill. So they had to

postpone the wedding.

CELIA Anyways, she died and - ...

SARAH ... the year of mourning is almost over - ...

ANNABELLE ... so McCrum has decided that now is the

time. And that is why he having this big

Fair at the castle.

CELIA The Fair will last for three days - and you

see - then they can have their banns read

three days in a row - for the engagement to

be sanctioned by the church.

ANNABELLE ... and he has called in all the men and the

bigger boys from the families that owe him

money so they can expand the castle. The

young couple - ...

CELIA With a great deal of envy ... gets their own house - with six rooms!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

JACK Torn between despair and

fighting spirit

I must see her. I have to talk to Wendy.

I am certain she would never - ...

MA NELLIE Cuts in No, Jack. You can't do that. McCrum keeps

her well out of sight - he surely must expect

her not to be acting on her own free will in

this affair - and, besides, who can tell what

McBundy might say if someone like you

tried to ruin the wedding plans.

JACK Surprised You are thinking about the old family feud?

From the days when Father and McBundy

fought for the right to be Earl of Lochlan?

That fight ended years ago. Well, at that

time when Wendy and I were playing here

by the Old Oak Tree, we knew that - ...

SARAH With at twitch in her face Naaa, but now they are getting all high-

and-mighty. Just because they didn't have

to pay that debt.

ANNABELLE ... and are getting married into the richest

family in the county.

CELIA Determinantly Renegades!

MA NELLIE Easy now, lassies. It's not difficult to

understand why they may grasp for the

tiniest straw. Think about the awful things

we have had to do in order to survive.

JACK I'm not the first you have robbed, I see?

MA NELLIE N-no ... but we have only taken what - ...

JACK Say no more, Ma Nellie. I, myself, have

done some pretty terrible things in order to

get away from the coal mine.

But now I think we should be going home.

I can't wait to see the farm.

MA NELLIE Now, please don't be ... angry, Jack, but ..!

JACK The farm. What's happened to the farm?

McCrum ..?

MA NELLIE With a sad nod Yes, I had to turn it over to him two years

ago.

Again the sisters speak in quick succession:

ANNABELLE McCrum made the Sheriff declare a law ...

SARAH ... so if there ain't no male heirs to a farm ...

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

CELIA ... the local Laird can take over the farm

and its lands.

ANNABELLE And McCrum thinks he's a Laird. The Earl

of Lochlan!

CELIA Spits on the ground

And what an Earl! Pheew!

JACK How can they do such things? It would

never had happened with a Stuart on the

throne.

SARAH But who thinks we'll ever see that again.

JACK The farm is lost, then.

MA NELLIE But I was allowed to keep the sheepcot.

JACK In disbelief

Realizeses the obvious

The sheepcot?! You are living in the

sheepcot? Oh, wait till I can get my hands

around his neck!

But wait ..! If this law still is in force, I can

lay claim on the farm!

MA NELLIE Grabs hold of JACK No, Jack. You mustn't cross McCrum! He's

far too powerful. The Brits protect him and

- ...

Let's just go home now. At least let us try

to have some joy from your return.

JACK Still angry but more

composed

Picks the flute from the sack

Alright, Ma. But, let me tell you. I will not

let that scoundrel get away with it. I swear

on my flute.

Hear my vow:

This flute will not play before we get our

farm and land back and McCrum has got

what he deserves.

JACK throws the flute backwards, over his head - over the heads of the others - towards the Oak

Tree - where it is caught by the BOY ELF.

MA NELLIE Leads the way off stage - to

the RIGHT

Come now, all of you. Let's go home.

Come, Jack.

EVERYBODY - except the GIRL and BOY ELVES - exit - to the RIGHT

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

INTERMEZZO 1

No. 9 on the CD When they have left, the GIRL ELF and the BOY ELF come forward. The BOY ELF stares at the

flute in wonder. When he raises it to his lips the GIRL ELF runs past him and snatches it from his

hands. Quickly she runs out of his reach.

The BOY ELF is about to chase her but stops when he sees the tender looks she casts on the flute.

He lowers his eyes, turns from her and trots heavily out - to the LEFT.

No. 10 on the CD

The music plays a slower and more romantic version of Jack's flute theme, and fades away as the

GIRL ELF dreamily walks towards RIGHT with the flute held in front of herself.

The Oak Tree scenery disappears.

SCENE TWO

No. 11 on the CD Instead, some half finished walls appear - at LEFT. We see big square rocks and parts of brickwall

and perhaps some ladders, wheelbarrows and carts.

SAMMY, JOHN, OTHER MEN and BOYS enter from both sides carrying building tools and the

like.

A handful of WOMEN enter from RIGHT. They are carrying lunch baskets.

Apparently the MEN and BOYS have just finished their lunch

SAMMY Steps onto front of stage Ahh, that bread sure tasted good

JOHN Smiles Well, the whisky didn't harm you that

much, did it?

SAMMY Smiles back Ay, but nothing taste sweeter than the beer!

One of the men (O'NEIL) brings out a fiddle and plucks it testingly.

SAMMY Looks towards O'NEIL Oh yes, fiddler boy. Let's have a merry

melody!

O'NEIL starts playing. The MEN, BOYS and WOMEN gather around and start the song and

dance.

The Castle Builders' Song No. 12 on the CD

[Lyrics at the end of the manuscript]

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

No. 13 on the CD After the song and dance, McCRUM and (Wilfred) McBUNDY enter. McCRUM is strutting self-

indulgently, McBUNDY acting more humble, almost servile - a sad sight. Obviously he's only

acting this way because he is forced to obey the other. In their wake comes PHILIP, dumm, selfish

and snotty. He looks at the world with stupid contempt.

The BUILDERS hurry back to work.

McCRUM To no one in particular

To McBUNDY

Will you get to work, you arses!

Everything must be ready for the big Fair -

and for the wedding.

Well, my good man. As you can see, your

daughter is going to live in style, eh?

McBUNDY Yet more crawling Ay, my soul. It's going to be a very, very

fine building. No doubt about that.

McCRUM My son must live according to his standing,

you see. Is that not so, my son?

PHILIP Only looks snotty

JACK enters from the LEFT. Stays at the edge of the stage and listens to the following scene

McCRUM Without pausing And it will be finished for my big Fair!

Believe you me. If I have to enroll the

women as well to do it.

PHILIP Whines like a boy Father, I'm hungry. Let's get back to the

Main House.

McCRUM

To the WORKERS.

Motions to PHILIP

So soon? Well, there isn't more for us to do

here, anyway.

See to it, you hurry, laddys!

Come, my son. Let's go and have a dramm

- AND a bite, perhaps!

McCRUM and PHILIP exit - to the RIGHT

McBUNDY stays and watches them leave. Slowly he wanders across the stage towards the LEFT

while looking at the WORKERS:

SAMMY and JOHN come nearer McBUNDY, carrying a ladder over their shoulders.

When they are right behind McBUNDY they turn around. The end of the ladder is very close to the

back of McBUNDY's head.

JACK shouts a warning. McBUNDY barely steps out of the way of the ladder.

JACK is about to step forward when McBUNDY turns on his heels and rushes towards the RIGHT

- past SAMMY and JOHN - while looking over his shoulder (to see who warned him, perhaps).

SAMMY and JOHN burst into a loud and scornful laughter . The rest of the WORKERS join in.

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SAMMY Shouts his mocking 'apology' Oh, sorry there, Squire. It's far too easy to

overlook someone who is not a true Scot!

All the WORKERS laugh out loud.

JACK approaches SAMMY and JOHN.

McBUNDY does not leave the stage. He stays at the far RIGHT and eavesdrop on the following

conversation.

JACK What do you mean by that ... Sammy?

SAMMY Does not react to the

mentioning of his name

I mean, there are Scots and there are ..?!

How do you know my name, stranger?

As far as I know, no one here has told you

my name.

JACK Watches him with a twinkle

in his eyes

Don't you recognize me, Sammy-Bammy?

Or mayhap your eyes are too full of sheep

dung to - ...

SAMMY His eyes big with surprise Jack ??!! My-o-my-and-strike-me-down.

It's Jack, you little good-for-nothing-goat-

shit-eater! You were not much more'n two

turds tall, when - ...

JACK Embraces his cousin Yes, indeed, my brave cousin. And you

used to be a handsome lad, as I recall!

But look at you now!

SAMMY Laughs - while mock-boxing

JACK with his fists

Hold it right there, you piss-ant. I'm still

your elder and I can still give you a proper

spanking - with one arm, mind you!

JACK 'Defending' himself Don't you count on that, old fat-gut!

But hold it. Hold it. I have far too many

things I want to ask you-all.

SAMMY Turns to JOHN Look, little brother. This is your one and

true cousin, Jack. Him, we all reckoned to

be slain in the war.

JACK Holds out his hand to JOHN John? You were nothing but a wee-wee

baby, when I left. But you do have grown, I

see.

JOHN shakes his hand but only nods in reply

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SAMMY Puts his arm around JACK's

shoulder

Well, my little brother can knock you over

without loosing his breath - 'n'case you get

too fresh!

JACK Smiling

- then more solemnly

Oh, yes, I'm sure.

But ... tell me, Sammy.

Why did you try to hurt McBundy. 'Far as I

know we no longer have a quarrel with him

and his kin.

SAMMY Looks up and sees

McBUNDY

No, but you see, dear cousin, times have

changed. My-o-my-and-strike-me-down,

have they changed. And some of these so-

called Scotchmen have not been able to

cope with the British coming here and

playing the master. Some of our former

countrymen are hardly any better than the

bastards!

McCrum, for instance, has really taken to

it, licking their boots - and other parts of

them, as well. And does a lot of profit at the

same time.

Stealing our land and farms and stock if we

cannot pay our debts and ... I could go on

all day about all the shit that sheepshagger's

been doing for the last five or six years!

JACK Ma Nellie told me about this ridiculous law

the Sheriff declared, but ... that still doesn't

account for your being rough on McBundy?

SAMMY A bit uncertain

Nudging JACK in the ribs

Oh, that ... Naah, that's just a - ...

But wait! ... a minute. Yep! that's true!

Mor'th'n just a tiny soft spot for a certain

young lassie, eh? Back in those days, I

mean ..?

At the mentioning of Wendy, JOHN takes a small step forward and is about to speak.

He stops, though, and during the rest of the talk he scowls more and more when not seen.

But he conceals his frown rather effectively from the others.

JACK Blushing! Well, I - ... No, it's ... well, you know ...

SAMMY Winking big at JOHN You never saw a prettier pair. Kids as they

may be.

JOHN shows absolutely NO joy at this thought

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SAMMY Without noticing JOHN's

gloomy face

Remembers McBUNDY and

shouts in his direction

And now she's grown too. Into a mighty

pretty lady as well, I tell you all.

So maybe you still want to - ..?

But that does prevent some other folks to

have their very special plans with her,

right?

McBUNDY now withdraws completely to the RIGHT - and exits.

JACK Following SAMMY's look Wasn't that ..?

Oh well, you are right, Sammy. But that

may not be a reason for picking on

McBundy like that. As I've heard, he is no

better off than the rest of us.

SAMMY Twitching his face Loosing your farm and land to those dogs is

one thing - selling! your daugther is quite

another, I'd say!

Quite another thing, darn it!

JACK With a hand on SAMMY's

shoulder

Easy now, Sammy. Maybe we can do

something about it ... As well!

SAMMY Does not understand 'As well'?? What do you mean, Jack?

JACK

Looks to right and left,

lowering his voice

I can't explain it right now, but I do have an

idea or two about what we may be able to

do. Listen here, Sammy:

If you gather your part of the clan and

summon them to meet me Saturday night at

the Oak Tree by the Witch's Rocks, I will

tell you all what I have in mind.

Saturday, mind you. That's three days from

now. And ... it may be difficult, but in the

meantime I'll try to persuade McBundy to

come as well.

SAMMY Is about to speak

JACK Holds up his hand

Exits - to the RIGHT

Yes! He's coming, too. But enough of that

for now. See you all Saturday.

SAMMY Scratching the back of his

neck

Tell me, John. Do you know a word of

what he's saying?

Arh, well! It's dar'n good to see him alive

and kicking again.

(More)

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SAMMY

(cont.)

Come on, laddy. Let's get this rotten wall in

place, so we can leave on time tonight.

Something tells me a change is about to

sneak up upon us all very soon.

And maybe more for some than for others,

you mark my words!

Nos. 14 (-15) on the CD

SAMMY and JOHN join the other WORKERS. All of them carry out the building set.

Lights down.

INTERMEZZO 2

No. 15 on the CD

The music starts The Witch's Theme - and accompanies the Intermezzo.

In the dark a spotlight appears. In the spotlight we see the WITCH.

Lights up to semi-darkness.

The BOY ELF enters from the LEFT.

The GIRL ELF enters from the RIGHT, holding out JACK's flute in both hands.

The BOY ELF is about to approach the GIRL ELF when the WITCH holds up her hand to stop

him.

The WITCH studies the GIRL ELF. A smile - more joyous than wicked - appears on her face.

No. 16 on the CD

She motions the BOY ELF to come closer. Slowly he steps nearer. The WITCH puts her long

slender hand on his shoulder.

The WITCH looks from one to the other. She reaches out her hand towards the GIRL ELF

No. 17 on the CD

The GIRL ELF takes a step backwards in defiance, cramming the flute to her breast. She shakes

her head violently. Then, with af big dreaming smile on her face, she dances off stage - to the

RIGHT.

No. 18 on the CD

After a quick, half mocking look towards the GIRL ELF, the WITCH turns around and leads the

BOY ELF out - to the LEFT. We hear her laughter fade away in the wings.

Lights down.

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SCENE THREE

Soft and warm light forms rather a large spot on the 'ground' - to the RIGHT.

The music starts:

Ma Nellie's Lullaby No. 19 on the CD


During / After the lullaby: MA NELLIE sits on a low stool - to the RIGHT. She's absentmindedly

trying to mend an old worn piece of cloth.

A short moment later, JACK enters - from the LEFT. He walks slowly, in deep thoughts.

MA NELLIE Does not notice JACK until

he is right by her side

Oh! Jack? Is that you?

JACK Puts his hand on her

shoulder

I couldn't sleep. Far too many things are

happening at present. And more is still to

come.

MA NELLIE You do have a lot on your mind, son.

Do you really think we can stand up against

them?

JACK I sincerely hope so. Any way, I must try.

MA NELLIE Hope you know what you are doing, Jack.

JACK I hope no less, Ma. [Yawn] - well, maybe I

should try and get some sleep, after all.

You should try as well, Ma Nellie.

MA NELLIE Only looking at her

handywork

Maybe a little later, my lad. You go and lie

down.

JACK Walking towards the LEFT Good night, then, Ma.

MA NELLIE Good night, my lad.

JACK Exits - to the LEFT

For a long time MA NELLIE looks the way he went. Then her hands drop to her lap.

She gazes into space for awhile. Then she starts speaking to herself.

MA NELLIE

Stands up and walks slowly

off stage [carrying the stool]

- to the RIGHT

Yes, my son. Maybe we will succeed, for a

change. What was it the Witch told me ..?

twenty ... years ago?

You were so terribly ill, sweet Jack, and we

feared for your life so long, we didn't know

what to do.

So I dared a visit to The Timeless One ...

[... to hear if you should live or die...]

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SCENE FOUR

The Witch's Dance No. 20 on the CD

[During the end of Ma Nellie's last lines:]

In the background, to the LEFT, the WITCH now comes rolling onto the stage. She is sitting on a

strangely formed, movable throne. Tall, twisted branches form the back and the armrests. The

throne is rolled along by a small group of TROLLCHILDREN. They turn and twist to the

WITCH's song. If possible, small red and orange lights can shine, fire-like, onto the throne.

The TROLLCHILDREN may wave long pieces of black cloth - fastened to long sticks - to give the

throne an even more impressive and fairytale-ish look.

The throne is rolled to CENTER STAGE - at the most.

The music stops.

MA NELLIE enters from the RIGHT

[Both women talk looking towards the audience - without looking at each other!]

WITCH [Maybe in a highpitched,

shrill witch's voice?]

And you wish to know what Fate has in

store for your son, young Nellie?

He's ill, the poor darling, your only son.

And you will not be content with your four

daughters? Only the boy counts?

MA NELLIE My husband is so very afraid of losing him!

WITCH As you are not?

MA NELLIE Oh, yes! That I most certainly am.

Please don't think other of me!

Tell me, please, will he live?

WITCH Dabs one of the TROLL-

CHILDREN in the ribs

Give us the bag!.

Fate will not willingly tell us her plans.

But if we are to get a glimpse, we must use

the bag.

One of the TROLLCHILDREN gives the WITCH a long slim sack.

WITCH Now, let's see ...

Nellie, you have brought the necessary

items, have you not?

MA NELLIE Nervously. - Mime! The nece-..? Oh, yes! I've slaugthered a

cockerel just nay Midnight. Here are the

claws and ... blood ... and a piece of cloth,

wetted by my son's tears.

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

WITCH Cackles briefly while she

pretends to put 'the items' in

the sack. She shakes it a few

times, sticks her hand into it

and draws it out again

[empty - mime!]

Swell, my dearest.

Now, let's see what may happen in the bag

... a ... circle ... a piece of bark ... and - eh-

... a cockerel's claw!

Oh ho, you may be at ease, my dearest.

MA NELLIE Wringing her hands B-b-but ... what does all that mean?

WITCH Drops the sack and sits up

with a straight back

- her eyes are totally blank

Foe for wife

Noble for kin

'Way in dark dark light

The TROLLCHILD picks up the sack

MA NELLIE Wringing her hands - from

happiness!

He'll grow up! Nothing else matters.

WITCH Returns to this world. Shakes

her head - obviously she

hasn't heard the prophecy

herself

You mean ..? Did you get an answer to

your question?

Now, run off, little Nellie. Night is nearly

gone and cockerel's blood works not in the

sun.

MA NELLIE Y-yes, right away.

No. 21 on the CD

The Witch's throne rolls backwards and to the LEFT - and out.

MA NELLIE Recalls the prophecy

Being more present again

Stretches her arms and

yawns


Foe for wife

Noble for kin

'Way in dark dark light

Have I not pondered upon those words for

hours on end! For what may their meaning

be? And will they ever come true?

But he has barely reached his manly years,

my wee Jack. Time is on his side, after all,

I reckon. And the 'dark dark light' ..?

An English coal mine, perhaps?

...

But a 'foe for wife' ..?

I must go and get some sleep ...

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SCENE FIVE

Nos. 22-23 on the CD Lights up. We are back at The Oak by the Witch's Rocks. It is early in the evening.

The ELVES dance around the Oak Tree.

To the RIGHT, the GIRL ELF is standing, sadly watching the others having a wonderful time.

She's cramming the flute to her breast but, obviously, she misses being with them.

The dancing stops without warning, the ELVES look about, frightened, and scatter to all sides..

The GIRL ELF is the last to leave behind the Oak Tree.

Instead, groups of people arrive - they stand ildly around, small-talking.

The CHILDREN (and maybe some of the WOMEN) gather on MIDDLE / FRONT STAGE and line

up for a singing game.

They sing - a capella!

Singing Game No. 24 on the CD


After the singing game:

JACK Claps his hands to get

everybody's attention

Quiet now, everybody! Gather 'round - I

think we let the little ones run onto the

pasture, right?

The MEN and WOMEN usher the CHILDREN off - to the LEFT.

The CHILDREN rush out - crying aloud with joy.

JACK When things quiet down Are we all here?

McNile ... Connory ... McDougan?

SAMMY Steps forward All here!

JACK And McBundy?

McBUNDY Hesitantly ... Y-yes, I ... we are here, but we - ...

Yes, we're here.

JACK Stands by the Oak Tree and

looks at the gathering

I have summoned you all to this meeting

because I understand there's been some

new quarrel between the clans. My own

amongst them, I'm afraid.

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SAMMY And not without good reason. In these

times where we are up to our necks with

trouble from the British dogs, it's so much

worse when those we reckon our own act

almost as if they were of their kind.

EMMY (McBUNDY's wife) When you have many mouths to feed and

not much to feed them - you can't always

do as you please!

SAMMY All our families starve but none of us are

running with those dogs!

EMMY Vehemently We are not running with the British!

McBUNDY With more caution N-no, we're not. Just because - ...

EMMY Brushes him off No! And who says so may better watch out.

EVERYBODY Smile and mumble in good

spirit

'My, oh-my' - 'Poor McBundy' - 'We'd

better look out, then' - et cetera

McBUNDY Now, now, Emmy.

EMMY Unstoppable No! Those sheep sha'n't think them better'n

us!

SAMMY Soothingly None of us think we are better or worse

than other families. But, when the tyrant

and his dogs suppress us, we must stand

together and not become their tail-wagging

pets just by the sniff of money.

EMMY He was going to take our farm!

JACK As he did with many farms, yes. Our farm,

too, mind you. And none of us wishes to

loose our rights and properties, either.

SAMMY McCrum is a scroundrel and a traitor to top,

we all know that - and one fine day when -

...

JACK Cuts in Yes, I'm not sure what you think. But I do

have a suggestion.

EVERYBODY 'Let's hear' - 'Speak up, Jack' - 'As long as

the dogs are gonna pay' - et cetera

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

JACK We cannot run the British out of the

country. Neither can we just take back what

McCrum has stolen from us. But we - or

rather, I - can make a small attempt at

correcting some of all this injustice.

SAMMY With a big wink at the others And what 'stupendous blow' are you

planning to strike on our enemies, my good

Jack?

EVERYBODY Laugh humorously - subdued!

JACK Blushing Alright, it may no longer be a secret that I

... I mean, we ... well, on the day my Father

and I went to that fateful battle eight years

ago - you see - ...

SAMMY With another 'understanding'

look around

Watch out ..! Here it comes.

JACK Tease as you please, but ...

I can't imagine that Gwendoly would have

forgotten what we promised each other on

that summer morning.

SAMMY 'Urgently' What did you promise? Speak up, man!

JACK Pulls himself together That we would always care for one another

and ... and that we ...when at the right age,

we would become ... man and wife.

EVERYBODY Except JOHN!! '[Sigh]' - 'How sweet' - 'At such a young

age' - et cetera

JOHN Steps forward in anger No one can take such childish nonsense

seriously!

SAMMY Reaches out to stop JOHN Hold it right there, young man. Who are

you to know such matters?

JOHN Tries to shake off the hand That is my business, and mine alone. But I

could tell you things that Wendy and I - ...

SAMMY Pulls JOHN back violently That's enough. You watch your tongue,

John. You don't know what you're saying!

JACK Looks at JOHN What do you mean, John?

JOHN Far more uncertain of

himself.

Turns on his heels and

rushes out

I mean ... I mean ... well, anyone can come

here and claim that ... and ...

Arrgghh, you don't understand!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

EVERYBODY Not sure whether to laugh or

cry

'What's gotten into him?' - 'Has he lost his

mind?' - 'That bastard!' - et cetera

JACK Asks Sammy Your brother said that - ...

SAMMY Pats JACK on the shoulder

Mostly to himself

Never you mind his babbling. It's no secret

that Wendy hasn't cast a glance on any

single man in all these years.

Let the little dogs bark. They won't bite, I

assure you.

Wonder what that little turd has been

speculating ..?

MA NELLIE Steps forward and motions

to stop the disturbance

Jack, you still haven't told us what you are

planning to do about McCrum?

JACK Catches on In a week, McCrum is making his big Fair

for three days. He has persuaded the Priest

to read the banns for Philip and Gwendolyn

one time each day - instead of on three

Sundays in a row as the Church normally

demands.

SAMMY Puts in Wondrous things you can do with the right

connections.

JACK But what most people never think about, it

is completely legitimate to oppose to these

readings!

EVERYBODY 'Impossible' - 'It's never been done before' -

'The Priest is not going to like this' - et

cetera

JACK Listen up! Therefore ... I will oppose to the

very first reading. Then we will see what

comes of it.

MA NELLIE If only we all agree to stand fast with Jack,

the Priest and McCrum has to take it

seriously.

EMMY is about to say something but McBUNDY holds her back

SAMMY Discretely, to JACK I sincerely hope you know what the Hell

you're getting yourself into!

JACK In the same low voice Of course, I do not. But I would never be

able to live with the thought of Wendy

marrying that swine, Philip McCrum.

SAMMY Embraces JACK Then I'm behind you all the way.

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

MA NELLIE Claps her hands together Are we all agreed?

EVERYBODY nod or speak their agreement.

McBUNDY and EMMY less enthusiastically than the rest.

MA NELLIE Raises her arms Then let's celebrate this agreement.

Bring out the food!

SAMMY With a big smile ... AND THE BEER!

EVERYBODY shout from joy and start the [quick] preparations for a picnic-party.

Some fetch food baskets and beer barrels, others get in line for the big song-and-dance, the music

is warming up for right now!

The CHILDREN come back.

[If anyone wants to play an instrument on stage, they do so, maybe just pretending.

Here we gracefully may ignore the fact that a phenomenon like 'Riverdance' is Irish!

If the actors are willing - and cabable! - they can be let loose in that kind of group dancing.

Don't forget that there are children participating, though!]

There is dance and song:

Party Song and Dance Nos. 25-26 on the CD


The scene ends when the dance is finished and EVERYBODY stumbles or staggers out - to BOTH

SIDES

No. 27 on the CD

INTERMEZZO 3

A tiny spotlight finds a small figure on FRONT STAGE - to the RIGHT.

No. 28 on the CD The GIRL ELF is sitting there, looking very sad. She is still holding on to Jack's flute.

She looks at it and sobs. Slowly she gets up and walks towards the CENTER OF STAGE.

No. 29 on the CD The WITCH enters from the LEFT, approaching the GIRL ELF.

WITCH Stops several paces from the

GIRL ELF

Well now, my sweet. What are you going

to do? You still believe you can do

anything with that whistlestick?

The GIRL ELF stands still, slowly shaking her head

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

WITCH No, it will take a far more powerful magic

to save the dear boy, don't you think?

Only sad, you do not know where to find

such power, you dumb little elf!

You will never be his. You know that as

well as I do. And your own kind turn their

backs on you, as long as you have that

flute. You miss them, don't you?

But you chose to believe the fairytale of old

flutes and The Eternal Love - and about

how silly little elves can be united with

mortal men. He-he-he. You fool.

It is only a fairytale. Has always been only

a fairytale.

Elves can only love elves. And never

human beings.

So ... you might as well give me that stupid

flute, and forget this whole story ..!

No. 30 on the CD

Lightning flashes across the Oak Tree, thunder roars.

Startled, the WITCH turns around and steps back a few paces.

The Oak Tree suddenly splits open down the middle. A fierce light shines from its inside.

In this light we see (the silhouette of) JACK's FATHER who slowly raises his right arm towards

the GIRL ELF ...

... who notices none of this. Instead, she kneels at CENTER STAGE and puts the flute on the

ground.

No. 31 on the CD

The WITCH, seeing this, is about to cross over to her when another lightning strikes.

The WITCH stops on the spot.

JACK's FATHER draws his sword and uses it to point at the WITCH.

The light in the Oak Tree gets yet brighter.

The WITCH has to cover her eyes to the light, stepping further backwards. She moves slowly but

we see she's being forced from the place. She stops at the FAR LEFT.

WITCH Shaking a threatening fist at

JACK's FATHER

If all the angels of Heaven were crawling

down from the sky, I want that flute!

You! - cannot stop me.

You are dead - and your son is soon to

follow. Do you really think you can stop

me?

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

The GIRL ELF - in her own world - picks up the flute, gets to her feet and quickly runs out - to the

RIGHT.

The WITCH watches her with raging eyes.

No. 32 on the CD

Suddenly the tension breaks, the Oak Tree starts to mend, the light disappears.

JACK's FATHER is gone again.

WITCH Shaking her fists in anger

and despair

Her voice changes from

anger to a tiny, pleading

whimper

Curse on you, Sean of Wyndfield!!

And curse on those bloody British, who

can't make your son disappear forever!

And cursed be that measly little Girl Elf

who thinks she can save her foolish love for

a mere mortal!

Just because she has that ... cursed ... that ...

that marvellous flute - the Flute of Eternal

Love!

Lights down. Leaving a single spotlight, concentrated on the WITCH's face.

The last image we see is her distorted face, encircled by twitching fingers and long sharp nails,

dancing around her cheeks like evil snakes.

WITCH Her fury returns in all its

glory

And I shall get it!

When that wicked and miserable Jack is

dangling from the highest gallows in

Lochlan, I shall know how to get that ...

flute.

And no one ... no one!! ... will dare to stop

me!

Then The Eternal Love will be mine, all

mine ... and only mine!!

Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee - ...

The spotlight disappears without warning.

No. 33 on the CD

The WITCH's shrill laughter can be heard leaving the stage and disappearing into the wings.

And then, still some time after that ..!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SCENE SIX

No. 34 on the CD

We are now at the big Fair on the grounds surrounding McCrum's castle.

The backdrop shows a great stonewall.

The peddlers have simple stalls, maybe just a box or a barrel, from which they sell their goods.

Some carry their merchandise.

Practically 'EVERYBODY' is on stage - except those in the procession.

No. 35 on the CD

Shortly, a procession enters from the LEFT:

The PRIEST, McCRUM, PHILIP, WENDY and the SHERIFF - accompanied by two soldiers +

preferably one or two of McCrum's men.

PRIEST Is 'chanting' - reading Philip

and Wendy their banns

'In nomine patri, filii et spiritu sanctu'.

It is hereby declared to God, The Almighty,

and to the World, that this young man, His

Lordship Philip McCrum of Lochland, and

this young woman, Gwendolyn, are making

their vows for their holy engagement under

the eyes of God.

Should any man have reason to deny these

vows, he may presently stand up or forever

hold his peace.

All is said for our Almighty Lord to show

his Grace - ... [upon this holy union, that -

...]

JACK Steps in front of the PRIST Holy Father. Hear my say!

WENDY Stares at JACK Ooh ... it is ... so it is true?

JACK Striving to avoid looking at

WENDY

I, Jack of Wyndfield, son of the true, by

royal demand, Earl of Lochlan, hereby

protest this union.

EVERYBODY stop what they are doing and hold their breath - WITHOUT comment. Except:

McCRUM Surprised at first, then

furious

Steps very close to JACK

Well, I'll be - ...

What insolence. Will he get himself off ..!

'Jack of Wyndfield' - there is no such

person in this county!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

JACK Not flinching There is now - again!

I have been away for many years but,

nevertheless, I am Jack of Wyndfield. Son

of the man, whose rightful title you are

striving for.

And I do protest this union between Philip

McCrum and Gwendolyn McBundy.

Gwendolyn cannot marry Philip McCrum!

PRIEST Keeping his ceremonial

posture

Be aware, my son, that no mortal man can

protest the will of God, The Almighty!

There are but a few reasons why His All-

knowing Ways should be questioned!

This Holy communion - ...

McCRUM Barely in self-control You protest, you say?

And what on Earth gives you the right to

protest, I might ask of you?

JACK Raises his head proudly Gwendolyn is already betrothed to me!

McCRUM O-ho! What liar! Didn't he just tell us all

that he had been away for many years?

He can't be betrothed to Wendy, then, can

he?

Off with you. Get the Hell away from here!

JACK I am betrothed to Gwendolyn.

On the day I left, she gave me her heart.

And swore that she would become my wife

when we reached the proper age. A promise

given under the eyes of God, Our Lord,

and, hence, a promise that no man can

break.

PRIEST If these things took place many years ago -

how old were you then?

JACK That is of no importance. You only have to

ask Gwendolyn if she still intends to keep

her promise to me and - ...

SHERIFF Puts in You may very well be who you claim to be,

young man, but beware, the punishment for

opposing Our Beloved Church is very

strict.

JACK I have nothing to fear, Sheriff.

I say again: Ask Gwendolyn if she - ...

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

JOHN Jumps to the center of events Nothing to fear, you say? How's that,

coming from an escaped prisoner?

EVERYBODY In startled commotion 'Oh, no!' - 'Stop him!' - 'What does he

mean?' - 'Traitor!!' - et cetera

SHERIFF What do you mean? And who are you?

JOHN Staring wildly at JACK Son of an Earl? Baah. Escaped from the

British, you did. So, you are nothing but an

escaped prisoner! And you have no right

coming here and telling us stupid lies about

who you think you are!

JACK I honestly do not know what you are

talking about, cousin John.

JOHN Looks around at the others As if we all haven't heard your story. How

you went off to fight the British - and how

you were caught during the war - and how

they sent you into a coal mine. [Breath!]

... and how you escaped from the mine

when Cromwell died - and God knows how

many Englishmen you killed before you

came back here.

SHERIFF Puts on all his authority Is this true, you, who call yourself 'Jack of

Wyndfield'?

JACK Not so self-assured any more I ... what John says is ... I was only 13 at

the time but - ...

SHERIFF Looks at the crowd Is there anyone here who can confirm these

accusations?

EVERYBODY Look shamefully to the ground

SHERIFF Are there anyone, then, who can repel these

accusations?

EVERYBODY A few seem to want to speak but hold their tongues

SHERIFF 'Jack of Wyndfield'! You are under arrest.

Charged with the crime of escaping your

punishment.

WENDY Finally ! Jack, you mustn't - .... Oh, Jack!

JACK Now seing only WENDY Wendy, I had to do it. I have always

remembered you!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

WENDY Rushes forward but is held

back by McCRUM and

PHILIP

Oh no, Jack - ..!!

SHERIFF Orders to the SOLDIERS Bring him to the prison. He will be

sentenced tomorrow

The SOLDIERS lead JACK out - to the LEFT

EVERYBODY watches this scene with depressed faces (ON stage! Not in the audience, hopefully).

Slowly the crowd thins, a lot of people move off to the stage edges and disappear.

McCRUM - the obvious exception! -

looks around with

satisfaction

Well, my dear Padre. I reckon this wraps it

all up for today. See you tomorrow at the

same time.

PRIEST Gives the tiniest bow.


Very well, Your Lordship.

McCRUM To PHILIP (and his guards) Take her home, Philip. We are done here

for now.

JOHN Creeps close to WENDY Gwendolyn, I ... please understand - ...

WENDY does not give him a single look. With disgust painted all over her face she leaves the

stage - followed (!) by PHILIP (and the GUARDS) who have to run to catch up with her

John looks after her in despair. Then he realises that EVERYBODY is staring hatefully at him.

He runs out.

SHERIFF To McCRUM What a mess. No wonder we are having so

much trouble with these stubborn bastards.

But as long as it doesn't get worse than this,

I shan't complain! Ha-ha-ha- ...

McCRUM Joins in the laughter Quite true, my dear Sheriff. By the way -

would it be possible to postpone this

sentencing for one more day? To the day

after tomorrow, I mean.

SHERIFF But why? The sooner we have this affair

over and done with the better, I would say.

McCRUM Trying to convince him

Well, yes ... and no. Surely, there can't be

any doubt as to the verdict, so, frankly,

would it make any difference if he is

convicted on one day or another?

You see, Sherif ...

(More)

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

McCRUM

(cont.)

Nudging the SHERIFF,

while dabbing his own nose

on the side with a finger

... it won't hurt none of us if the rumour of

this conviction was to spread for a little

longer. That would surely bring a lot more

people to the Fair.

A simple fact which might turn out to be

very profitable for the peddlers ...

not to mention the person ... I mean, the

authorities ... responsible for handing out

the sales permissions for the Fair, eh?

... and for collecting the taxes ..?

SHERIFF Finally gets his drift

Turns to the rest of the

crowd and announces

Why ...of course. You may have a point

there, McCrum.

Alright, I'll do just that.

Listen, all you good people.

I hereby declare that the escaped prisoner is

to be tried and convicted on the last day of

this Fair. On the day after tomorrow.

Let the Town Drum call it out in all of

Lochlan that the people hear this.

So it shall be.

McCRUM Pats the SHERIFF on the

shoulder

Always a pleasure doing business with you,

my dear Sheriff!

SHERIFF Just getting back from his

official attitude

Well, ... eh, yes. And I can only say the

same to you, McCrum.

But I must get back. Nothing more for me

to do here. A fine day to you, Mr.McCrum

McCRUM 'Smiling' And a glorious day to you, Honourable

Sheriff. I'll be seing you the day after

tomorrow.

SHERIFF Out - to the RIGHT

McCRUM Talking to himself

Then he struts about, casting

wicked eyes at the last of the

people present, saying:

'Mister.McCrum' - some fine day he will

have to whistle a different tune, that stupid

arse.

This may teach you all not to cross the

ways of the future Earl of Lochlan!

And in two days we will see the end of this

'Jack of Wyndfield' - har-har-har - ...

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

No. 36 on the CD

EVERYBODY left on stage watches McCRUM leave. Then they leave as well.

Lights down. The Fair disappears

CURTAIN / LIGHTS UP IN THE THEATRE

no. 37 on the CD (optional)

INTERMISSION

ACT TWO

SCENE SEVEN

No. 38 - Intro to act 2

No. 39 on the CD

The music starts with a twisted version of the McCrum theme plus the procession music - this time

with a threatening rebellious counterpoint. The text to this is the singing game!

All the 'common' Scotchmen and -women line up on the floor beneath the stage. The procession

passes before this crowd. The procession: The PRIEST, McCRUM, PHILIP, WENDY and two

GUARDS - from the RIGHT.

The GUARDS watch WENDY who, from time to time, seems ready to try to escape.

The PRIEST is performing the second reading of the banns.

When the procession reaches the other side of the stage, it exits - to the LEFT.

At the same time the curtain rises/parts - to the sound of a mighty thunderblast.

EVERYBODY flees to both sides.

SCENE EIGHT

[May be played on empty stage with a black background]

No. 40 on the CD

McCRUM, PHILIP and WENDY enter - from the LEFT

WENDY is walking restlessly about, wringing her hands, not knowing if to weep or have a fit.

McCRUM Looks at WENDY in anger Yell or shout as you like, my lassie. I made

a crystal clear deal with your father. You

will be betrothed to Philip, and that's final!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

WENDY Shakes her fists angrily Be aware, you overgrown worm, that I

would never had consented to such a

ridiculous venture, if I had had the tiniest

wiff of Jack being alive!

McCRUM That doesn't change a thing.

PHILIP Tries to grab McCRUM by

the shoulder

Daddy, I - ...

McCRUM Shakes his hand off You shut up, you! I'm only thinking of your

welfare in these matters. You know I do,

my lad!

WENDY Yes! His welfare - and your own. But not

anybody's elses!

If only you can become a 'fine' gentleman,

you don't give a ... damn! about others.

McCRUM I have every right to do what I do! My kin

is as good as the next man's.

Maybe, why not, better?

And I am going to be Earl of Lochlan!

WENDY Jack's family is entitled to that name.

King Charles commanded it. You have

absolutely no right - ...

McCRUM Jack is nothing but an escaped convict.

He has no rights, whatsoever, you hear!

WENDY But he is still Jack, the man, I once - ...

PHILIP

[He tends to sound very

childish at times, this bloke!]

The boy, you once had a crush on! You

were but teenie-weenie babys at the time

you and he - ...

WENDY What do you know about that, you

whimping weasel!

Who are you to mock the promises Jack

and I - ...

McCRUM 'Smiling' Now, now, my little love birds. No arguing

before the wedding. Wendy, what you and

that boy promised one another so many

years ago is of no importance today.

WENDY It is for me! And for Jack!

McCRUM At least, your father had the good sense to

realize that you're far better off living a

noble and honourable life with the future

Earl of Lochlan!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

WENDY 'Earl' - that's a warrior's title. Don't tell me

that skimpy good-for-nothing knows

anything about fighting.

PHILIP I can fight as good as any Scotchman!

WENDY Don't you flatter yourself with that word,

traitor!

McCRUM You mind your wicked tongue, you

quarrelsome lassie. Who do you think you

are?

WENDY With her head held high A Highlander. A real Scotchman. Who

does not lick anybody's boot for a title or a

handful of money.

McCRUM And I say you are betrothed to my son and

as soon as you have had your banns read

the third time you get married. Is that

understood?

WENDY Over my dead body, you piece of sheep

dung!

PHILIP Whines Father, do something. I can't - ... Why must

she be so ... so ... quarrelsome?

McCRUM Waves him off Well, you may just be making a point there,

now, my sweet. Perhaps 'a' body.

But ... not your body, dearest Gwendolyn.

Another body, I can image.

WENDY Rigid - feeling the threat What do you mean?

McCRUM It would indeed be a pity if such a beautiful

and - hopefully - fertile lassie should come

to an untimely death over these trivial

matters. Fortunately, we have other options.

WENDY Out with it, you slime. What do you mean?

McCRUM You see, dearest Gwendolyn, I am sure I

might be able to help the good Sherif

decide what punishment Jack deserves for

his crime. It's serious business, escaping

from the British, you know

WENDY He was a prisoner of war!

When he was 13 years old!!

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

McCRUM Not listening

Threatening

It might very well be a choice between

sending him back to the coalmines - or ...

sending him to the gallows!

WENDY Tight with fear You mean ..?

McCRUM 'Nonchalantly' I mean, I might be in a position where I

could tip the scales in the desired direction

when the Sheriff sentences him. Depending

on ... certain ... conditions, that is.

WENDY, realizing which way the wind is blowing, is about to speak, but stops.

McCRUM Barely able to conceal his

evil under a slimy smile

Foaming with evil

The choice is yours, dear Wendy.

Do, as we all expect of you, and your Jack

will live - as long as he can endure the

mines, he-he ... or! ...

Defy me, and I swear that Jack is going to

hang from the highest gallows in Lochlan

before the next day dawns!

WENDY Looks quite defying

- then she surrenders

I - ...

... will do ... as you wish ...

McCRUM With triumph in his eyes I knew it. You are a sensible girl, after all.

Now, that settles it.

Come, Philip, dinner is waiting.

McCRUM and PHILIP exit - to the RIGHT

WENDY stands very still for 'a long time', looking depressed.

Wendy sings:

Wendy's Love Song No. 41-42 on the CD

[Lyrics at the end of manuscript]

After the song, she walks out, slowly, with her head bent down - to the LEFT

________________________________________________________________________________


PART ACTION LINES

SCENE NINE

No. 43 on the CD

[Empty stage - when the WITCH is rolled to STAGE CENTER TROLLCHILDREN are optional]

M

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data Playsdataplays.dk/PDF/Sworddance.pdfThe Sword Dance Highland Musical Drama from the year 1658 Original story, music and lyrics by Jens E.Hansen data Plays 2001The Sword Dance