This is the seventh part of a children's play I wrote back in the 70's. It has been performed at various times in the past 30 years and I would welcome any teacher or children's theater director using it. Please be so kind as to let me know if you do choose to use it.
Old King Cole Was a Merry Old Soul
Fine Times at the King's House
Characters: King Cole, Fiddler 1, Fiddler 2, Fiddler 3, Jester, Spoon, Dish, Cow, Cat, Dog
King and fiddlers: Old King Cole was a merry old soul and a merry old soul was he. He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl and he called for his fiddlers three.
Jester: Whoa, whoa, whoa----------now listen. There are no-smoking signs all over the place, and we're trying to have a pollution—free atmosphere here in the kingdom. What kind of an example is this, my man, your honor, your majesty, sir?
King: Say what?
Jester: You know what I mean. There's all kinds of proof that smoking's no good for you or anyone who has to breathe your smoked filled air, so come on, get with the act, dude.
King: So what kind of fun can I have if I haven't any vices like smoking?
Fiddler 1: Well, shucks, you led the campaign for making your own fun with having us fiddlers around.
Fiddler 2: And you started the annual fiddlers' jamboree.
Fiddler 3: Now lots of folks in the Kingdom are singing and playing their instruments all the time.
Jester: What we need now is a little foot work to go with that music.
King: Say what?
Jester: You know, dancing!
#2: Why, that's a great idea. We could play our tunes, and folks all over the kingdom could dance.
#3: We could have a great time.
#1: But who could teach us to dance?
Jester: I know just the troupe to do it for us. That bunch that lives over the hill. There's a cat that plays the fiddle, a cow that does a jumping dance, a dog, and a dish and spoon that can really swing.
#2: I hear they go around to all the villages and run dances to the fiddle music.
King: I say bring them on!
#3: I just happen to know that they're in the court yard of the castle now looking for a good place to hold a dance.
Jester: Bring them in here.
(In come the group (The Heydiddlers)
Cat: Hey there! We're the Heydiddlers –Just the group you've been looking for if you're looking for fun, fun, fun.
Spoon: Yessir, me and dish here can really swing down the set (swings a bit with spoon)
Dish: Cast off!
Cow: Jump down, turn around.
Dog: And generally have a wild time of it.
King: Let's see what else you can do.
(Heydiddlers start jumping around doing a jumping Virginia Reel)
King: I decree everyone who lives in this kingdom have a chance to have fun!
Jester: We can have barn dances all over, have the cat and the fiddlers go out and play---right! Yes.
Fiddlers: Right!
Spoon and Dish: Wait for us, we'll go too.
Cow: (jumping out) I'll give jumping lessons.
Dog: Well, I'm going too. This tour of the kingdom needs a manager.
Jester: You're just the one, Fido.
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Comments: 8
Great dialogue. "Say what?" He's my kind of king. And "Heydiddlers" is a great name for a musical group.