A play written by Adam Dodd and Joy Green for Massey University Drama Society (MUDS). The piece is based on Shakespearean archetypes, follows a Terentian Comedy structure and seeks to use as many Shakespearean plot devices as possible, and is largely written in Shakespearean English. In best Shakespearean tradition, too, ideas, plot directions and occasional lines were appropriated from both the Bard himself and a variety of other sources, most particularly (though not only): Blackadder, Terry Pratchett, The Goons, Tom Stoppard and The Princess Bride.
Actors in the piece were expected to contribute to the development of their characters, and the purpose of the project was fourfold: to explore the process of devising and developing a play, to gain an understanding of Shakespeare’s structures, to entertain audiences, and to be fun to perform. It was first performed, to largely enthusiastic reviews, in Palmerston North, New Zealand in August 2010.
- Ludovico, of Florence: The big lunk
-
Venetia, Contessa of Florence (his cousin): The powerful woman
- Lady Vesta of Quorndon: The innocent babe
- Rupert, Duke of Quorndon (her father): the flawed ruler
- Felicity Sage: The bright young thing
- Claude Sage (her adopted brother): The sidekick
- Nanny Sage: (her adoptive mother): The wise fool
- Zephyr (A sprite, invisible to everyone except Felicity): The imp of mischief
- Sir Hugo de Malmanche: The malign influence
- Margaret : Tragedy’s minion
- Adolphus, counsellor to Venetia: The mistreated villain
- Bartholomew, Earl of Hastings: The figure of fun
- Jane (his sister): The comic relief
- The Doctor: Chorus
Setting:
The
Duchy of Quorndon, on England’s South coast, a place not unlike
Brighton, and
Florence. (We chose a 1920s setting, but this is not necessary; there is nothing specific in the script to this period)
Synopsis:
As the story opens, the
Duke of Quorndon, who succeeded to the
title when his older twin was lost in a
shipwreck (the
Titanic is implied here, in our interpretation) together with his child, some fifteen years earlier, is seeking to hand over the reins of power to whoever marries his daughter, Vesta. Suitors have come from all over, including Bartholomew, Vesta’s cousin, who is a wealthy idiot; Sir Hugo de Malmanche, the
steward of the Duchy, who survived the wreck which claimed the previous Duke; and Ludovico, a young
nobleman from Florence who is seeking an
alliance. As Vesta looks set to choose Ludovico, de Malmanche produces a
pregnant woman who accuses the Italian of seducing her. Ludovico is banished from Quorndon. The rest of the play deals with the attempts to clear Ludovico’s name, and Vesta’s struggles to avoid marrying either Bartholomew or de Malmanche. The play ends happily with everyone getting what they deserve.
Shakespearean Plot devices utilised in this play:
Why yes, it is rather crowded – but it all hangs together.
The piece is specifically designed for an ensemble, with all the characters getting decent stage time and a good number of speeches, and its gender/age mix makes it particularly suitable for amateur groups. It is currently in the editing stage prior to release as a script for performance by other groups.