Play Script

Little King Arthur

Characters appearing in this extract:

Sir Hector
Lady Hector
Kay
Art
Sir Pellinore
Merlin
Archie
Robin Wood
Little John
Friar Tuck
Outlaws
Singer
TV Commentator

Non-speaking chorus of:-

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Scene 14 – Camelot School:
(The stage is surrounded by banners and flags. At the centre of the stage is a sword set in a stone. As in the
first scene, dignitaries are seated on the stage. Enter Camelot pupils, the Outlaws, Sir Pellinore and Archie
carrying flags and banners (‘Kay for King!’ etc). They stand around the edge of the stage, auditorium etc.
Enter a Singer, splendidly dressed, to announce the ceremony by blowing a trumpet.)
Singer: A legend is sung, of when England was young,
And knights were brave and bold.
The Old King is ill, and no one can say,
Who is rightful heir to the throne.
It seems that the land could be torn by a war,
Or saved by a miracle alone.
So now we shall see who the new King will be,
Who can pull the Sword from the Stone.
Commentator: (Face inside the cut-out frame of a TV screen, holding a microphone) And here we are,
gathered inside the Great Hall of Camelot School. All the Dignitaries are seated, and all the ordinary folk are
standing.
(Pupils and Outlaws cheer.)
Commentator: And at the centre of the ceremony, we can see the sword itself, plunged into a rock. There,
below the hilt, written in letters of gold, is the inscription: “Whoso pulleth this sword from the stone is the
rightful King of England.” Though many have tried with all their strength, no-one has yet moved the sword.
But this year, there is tremendous expectation. The star pupil from Camelot, Sir Hector’s son, Kay, is about to
step forward to take the hilt in his hands…
(Kay steps forward to the stone, grasping the sword. The crowd gasp.)
Commentator: He’s straining with all his might…
(The Crowd exclaim.)
Commentator: The veins are throbbing on his forehead…
(The Crowd sigh. Kay staggers backwards, and falls over.)
Commentator: Oh, dear, he’s fallen over!
(Enter Merlin and Art. Merlin helps Kay to his feet while Art casually pulls the sword from the stone and
hands it to Kay.)
Commentator: But wait, there’s an old man and a boy just appeared. The old man is helping Kay to his
feet and the young boy has kindly pulled the sword from the stone and given it to Kay…
(The Crowd cheer and applaud politely.)
Commentator: Wasn’t that good of that little boy! Wait a minute! If he’s taken the sword from the stone…
Oh, blimey! Who is he? What’s going on?
(Enter Sir Hector, face inside a second TV screen.)

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Sir Hector: There’s been a terrible mistake! That boy’s an impostor! Kay should be King. Look, my
son’s got the sword!
Commentator: But the other boy gave it to him. He took the sword from the stone!
(Enter Lady Hector, snatching the TV screen from Sir Hector.)
Lady Hector: That boy Arthur is to blame! He’s been nothing but trouble since Sir Hector took him in. You
wouldn’t believe he’s the Old King’s nephew!
(The crowd gasp.)
Commentator: What are you saying, Lady Hector? Is that little boy really the King’s real heir?
(Sir Hector snatches the TV screen back.)
Sir Hector: No! No! My wife is mistaken! It’s been an emotional day! We had nothing to do with the
death of the Old King’s brother!
(Lady Hector screams, snatching the TV screen back.)
Lady Hector: You idiot! Now everyone knows it was you!
(They fight for possession of the TV screen as the light fades on them.)
Commentator: Well that’s enough of them! We can now go back to the ceremony, where the new King is
just about to make his first speech to the nation!
(Trumpet fanfare from the Singer. Art steps forward, holding the sword.)
Art: I’m in an awful pickle. I appear to be the King!
Robin Wood: He pulled the sword from the stone. Hail, King Arthur!
All: Hail, King Arthur!
Art: (To Merlin) I don’t suppose there’s been some mistake…
Merlin: Ha, ha! Of course not! You are holding the ancient sword of Pendragon. The sword destined for
the King. It has been handed down to each generation from the great King Arthur himself. You must have
heard of him. You know, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Art: Round Table?
Merlin: Yes, Round Table. (Mockingly) Or would the young King Arthur rather have a square one?
Art: Oh, no! Round will be fine.
Sir Pellinore: (Kneeling) I always knew you would come back!
Art: I didn’t know I’d been away!
Sir Pellinore: I speak on behalf of all of us, sire. We await your command.
(All kneel.)
Art: Gosh! This is a shock! I need some time to think about it. Get some advice. Not rush into things.
Sir Pellinore: I’ve been waiting for you for a thousand years, your majesty. A few days won’t make any
difference!

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Art: Thank you, Sir Pellinore. You might actually be useful! (To the crowd) I declare a public holiday.
(All cheer.)
Art: (To Merlin.) How was that for my first decision?
Merlin: Masterful! You’re learning fast!
Art: I’m going to see the Old King. He might have some good advice.
Merlin: Very diplomatic.
Art: But Merlin, you’re the one I need behind me. If I get a problem, can I call you on my mobile?
Merlin: Mobile telephone! Bah! Humbug! You can call me all you like but I’m going back to my cave to fall
asleep. (Yawning) Five thousand years! I’m ready for a nap.
Art: Well, I suppose you deserve it! I’d hurry up or you’ll find Archie in the bed already!
Merlin: (Bowing) Thank you, your majesty.
Art: (To the Singer) Can you blow that thing. I want to make an announcement.
(Singer blows trumpet.)
Art: Thank you. (To the audience) Citizens of England, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with the
country, but there will be peace and freedom, and we’ll look after the forest, and there’ll be free chocolate
for everyone.
(Cheers from the crowd.)
Art: There’ll certainly be a new Headmaster for Camelot, and perhaps I’ll appoint [Your Headmaster] to
the job. I know you’ll be glad to get rid of him!
(Cheers from the crowd.)
Art: Well, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for coming. Please leave in an orderly fashion,
and have a safe journey home. Good night. (He bows.)
(The crowd cheers. Blackout.)

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Copyright 2009 by David Pemberton