Description

Escape from Carisbrooke Castle

Escape from Carisbrooke Castle sticks to what actually happened but has many light moments thanks to .. the donkeys!

(There may be, in the pipeline, another ‘alternative version’ with a somewhat different ending, involving of course … those donkeys! Watch this space!)

Cast of 30 (easily adapted to smaller size)

Duration – around 30 minutes (again, easily adjusted to shorter time – see Production Notes)

Sample Text

Music 2 Run Run Run – The Who (just opening lines)

(Enter Charles I, running from one end of the stage to the other)

Narrator:             Your Majesty! Whatever is the matter?

Charles:                (Repeating incredulously) Whatever is the matter? Have you not read the script? I’m heading for the chopper is what’s the matter!

(Enter four donkeys, Juno, Jack, Jill and Jigsaw)

Jill:                          (Authoritatively) OK. Hold it right there. Nobody is going to lay a finger on you on my watch!

Charles:                (Rubbing his eyes) Am I imagining it or is a donkey giving me words of reassurance?

Jigsaw:                  If I may be so bold, if our leader can’t help you, no one can!

Jack:                      Right! My half sister is your man – I mean, donkey!

Juno:                     I’ll say (tripping into Charles) Ooh most dreadfully sorry!

Charles:                (Angrily brushing himself down) Well, really! Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse!

Narrator:             Oh, I think they could and

Charles:                (Interrupting) Enough! I don’t wish to hear another word on the subject!

Juno:                     Poor man. He looks quite upset!

Charles:                (Exploding) Man? I am no mere mortal. I am the King of England and I have divine rights to boot!

Jill:                          (Aside) Bit of an attitude this one!

Jigsaw:                  We were only trying to help.

Charles:                (Laughing) You? Four scruffy donkeys? How on earth could you help King Charles the First of England, Scotland, France and Ireland?

Jigsaw:                  So, where are all your fine courtiers and besotted subjects? Strikes me they’re a bit thin off the ground!

Charles:                Well, tis true. My circumstances are at a bit of a low ebb at the moment.

Narrator:             I’ll say! A prisoner in your own kingdom!

Jack:                      Prisoner, you say? Oh, I can help you with that!

Charles:                (Sarcastically) And how would you do that, prey? Turn yourself into a fine stallion and gallop me off over the water?

Jill:                          Now wait a minute, Mr. Stuart!

I can also provide a guided walk around the outside of Carisbrooke Castle Just drop me a line and/or visit www.sues-walks-isle-of-wight.co.uk

This is one of a collection of scripts I am writing based on the Isle of Wight.