THE LAST GIFT

by

Vicki Bartholomew

This play may produced royalty free when 25 copies of the script are purchased.  

Non-transferable.

The Last Gift

Copyright ©2002 by Vicki Bartholomew

All Rights Reserved

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Cast List

 QUEEN

 PRINCESS

 HERALD

 FLOWER GIRL

 BAKER

 SEAMSTRESS

 BANKER  

  THE BANKER'S WIFE

 BEGGAR GIRL

 HAT MAKER

 FLOWER GIRL

 PRINCE CHARMING

 PRINCE MORECASH

 PRINCE VALIANT

Time     Long, long, ago

Place    In a castle far, far away Sounds   Trumpet flourish.

         Waltz music.

         Music for a group dance.  

             ACT   I

 Scene 1

              AT RISE: The QUEEN is sitting on her throne.  There is a short gift table with a basket for gifts downstage center and a few chairs around the room.  A trumpet sounds.  PRINCESS MARY ROSE enters and curtsies before the QUEEN.

   QUEEN 

Happy Sixteenth Birthday, Princess Mary Rose.

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Your Majesty.

 QUEEN 

This is an important day in your life.

 PRINCESS 

Yes, my first ball.

              (SHE does a waltz step, sways, 

               twirls and bows.)

 QUEEN

              (SHE smiles at the Princess' antics.)  

That  isn't  exactly  what  I  meant.   Today  is important, because today you become a grown up.

 PRINCESS 

Is  that  why I feel so special?  I'm all grown up!  I'm all grown up!  I'm all grown up!  

              (SHE sings and skips around the room.)

 QUEEN

              (SHE shakes her head "no".)  

I can see that you are too excited to be serious.

 PRINCESS 

I'm sorry, Mother.  But I'm so happy today.  

              (SHE hugs herself.)  

Prince Charming is coming to my ball.  

              (SHE speaks in a whispery tone.) 

Prince Charming.  

              (SHE sighs.)  

He'll have to ask me to dance since it IS my birthday.                (SHE dances around the room and sings.)  Tra-la-la, Tra-la-la, Tra-la-la.  

 QUEEN 

And all this excitement is because of Prince Charming?  

 PRINCESS

              (She's astonished.)  

What?  You are teasing me, aren't you, Mother?

 QUEEN 

Not really.

 PRINCESS 

But,  Your  Majesty,  he's the handsomest, dashingest prince in the whole world!  Anyone can see that.    

 QUEEN 

What I can see, is that you truly need my birthday present.

 PRINCESS 

Oh!   What is it, Mother?  Is it something that will make me beautiful?  I so want Prince Charming to notice me.

(SHE curtsies to a pretend prince, waves her hand like a fan, peeps over the top of her hand and bats her eyes flirtatiously.) 

Good  evening, Prince Charming.  Nice weather we're having, isn't it?

 QUEEN 

No,  your  present  is  nothing  to make you more beautiful. The gift is not something frivolous.

 PRINCESS

              (SHE approaches the Queen.)  

You sound so solemn.  

 QUEEN 

I  am  serious.  This is an important day in your life and I want to commemorate it with an appropriate gift.

 PRINCESS               

(SHE clears her throat and stands up straight.)  

I'm ready.   

 QUEEN

              (SHE stands up holding a small box.)

PRINCESS

              (After a pause, SHE giggles.)  

I'm sorry.

 QUEEN 

No,  you are right.  This should be a happy occasion.  Enjoy your  birthday   and  your  first ball.  I will save my gift until after the ball.    

 PRINCESS

              (SHE runs to her mother and kisses her.)  The last gift is always best.

 HERALD

              (HE enters and bows.)  

Your  Majesty,  the  people are here with birthday gifts for Princess Mary Rose.

 QUEEN 

Bring them in.   

 HERALD

              (HE bows and exits.)

 QUEEN

              (SHE yawns.)  

I  need  a nap if I'm to stay awake all night for your ball. I will leave you to accept your gifts, Mary Rose. 

 PRINCESS

              (SHE curtsies.) 

Good day, Your Majesty. 

 QUEEN

              (The QUEEN exits.)

 PRINCESS

               (SHE skips over to sit on the throne.

               She sits up straight and arranges

               her skirt.)

 HERALD

              (HERALD enters and bows.)

 PRINCESS

I am ready.

 HERALD 

Let the ceremony begin.  

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

 FLOWER GIRL

              (SHE enters and dances around the 

               stage throwing petals as she goes.  

               SHE then stands near the Princess,

               looking bored.)

 HERALD

              (HERALD announces each person

               in a loud voice.)

The Royal Baker. 

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

              (EACH PERSON places their gift  

               on the table.)

  BAKER

              (BAKER enters and bows.)  

Many  happy  returns,  Your Highness.  I bring you my finest loaf.  

              (HE places the loaf on the table.

               HE motions "so high" with his hands

               and pats his tummy.)

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Royal Baker.

              (The BAKER bows and exits.)

  HERALD 

The Royal Seamstress.  

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

 SEAMSTRESS

              (SEAMSTRESS enters and curtsies.)  

Happy  Birthday,  Princess  Mary  Rose.   I  bring  you this delicate shawl from far away India.  

              (SEAMSTRESS holds out the folded shawl.)  

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Seamstress.

 SEAMSTRESS

              (SHE unfolds the shawl to show the

               Princess before placing it in the

               basket.  SHE touches her chin

               and then her nose.)

 PRINCESS 

What an unusual color!

 SEAMSTRESS

              (SEAMSTRESS rubs her hands together.)

 PRINCESS 

It is very beautiful.  Thank you, Seamstress.

 SEAMSTRESS 

You are welcome, Your Highness. 

              (SEAMSTRESS curtsies and leaves.)

 HERALD 

The Royal Banker and his wife. 

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

               (THE WIFE enters one step behind

               THE BANKER.  HE bows and HIS WIFE

               curtsies.)

 BANKER 

Many happy returns, Your Highness!  

              (HE walks towards the basket shaking

               his bag of coins before placing them

               on the table.)  

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Banker.

 BANKER

              (HE puffs out his chest and sways

               slightly and rocks on his feet.)

 HIS WIFE 

              (SHE motions with her hand for the

               Banker to leave.)

              (The BANKER and HIS WIFE bow and exit.)

 HERALD 

The Little Beggar Girl.  

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

 BEGGAR GIRL

              (GIRL enters the stage slowly and

               pauses as though tired.  She has a

               stick crutch and is carrying a rose.)  

Happy  birthday,  Princess  Mary  Rose.   I've brought you a wild rose from the riverside.

 PRINCESS 

Thank you.  That was a far walk.  You must be exhausted.

 BEGGAR GIRL 

Not at all, Your Highness. 

              (SHE takes another step forward.)

 PRINCESS 

Rest a moment.  I will fetch the rose myself.

              (SHE walks towards the Beggar Girl.)

 BEGGAR GIRL

              (After the BEGGAR GIRL hands the rose

               to the Princess, SHE watches the

               PRINCESS walk back.)

 FLOWER GIRL

              (SHE throws flower petals on the 

               Princess.  SHE looks bored.)

 PRINCESS

              (SHE holds up her hands with the rose

               as though to ward off the petals. 

               SHE sits on the throne.)

 BEGGAR GIRL

              (BEGGAR GIRL bows and exits.)

 FLOWER GIRL

              (SHE throws flowers until the BEGGAR

               GIRL is offstage.)

 HERALD 

The Royal Hat Maker. 

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)  

 HAT MAKER

              (SHE enters and curtsies.)

Many  happy  returns,  Your  Highness.  I bring you a bonnet decorated with spring flowers to frame your beautiful face.

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Hat Maker.  It's an enchanting confection.

 HAT MAKER

              (The HAT MAKER turns the hat to look

               at it again.  SHE puts the hat

               on the table.  SHE sighs, rubs

               her chin, and pulls on her ear.

               SHE curtsies and exits.)

 HERALD 

That was the last gift, Your Highness.

 PRINCESS 

Next-to-the-last  gift.  I  will  get the last gift after my ball tonight.

              (The PRINCESS stands and dances.)

My ball.

              (Speaks directly to the audience.)

I can hardly wait!

  ACT   1

  Scene 2   

           AT RISE: The QUEEN sits on the throne watching the others talk, including the BANKER and HIS WIFE, the SEAMSTRESS, the BEGGAR GIRL, the HATMAKER, and the FLOWER GIRL. Some are sitting, and others are standing. The gift table has been moved. The PRINCESS is standing center stage as the HERALD enters to announce the Prince.  EVERYONE stands except the Queen.  THEY curtsey as the PRINCE passes  by. During the party, the guests take turns speaking with the QUEEN.               

 HERALD

              (HE enters to announce the Prince.)

His Royal Highness Prince Charming.  

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

 PRINCE CHARMING

              (PRINCE CHARMING enters and bows

               first to the QUEEN and then

               to the PRINCESS.)

 PRINCESS

              (The PRINCESS curtsies.)

 PRINCE CHARMING 

Best  wishes on your sixteenth birthday, Your Highness.  You have never looked lovelier.

              (HE poses and runs his fingers

               through his hair.  HE touches

               his shoulder with his right hand.                       He touches his chest with his left                  hand.)

(SOUND: Waltz music)

 PRINCE CHARMING continued

              (PRINCE CHARMING holds out his hand.)

May I have this dance?

              (PRINCE CHARMING  dances with the

               PRINCESS and another couple dance

               on each side of the stage until

               the next prince is announced.  Then

               PRINCE CHARMING goes to stand upstage.)

              (The PRINCESS regretfully watches

               PRINCE CHARMING walk away.)

 HERALD 

His Royal Highness Prince Morecash.

 PRINCE MORECASH

              (MORECASH enters and bows to

               the QUEEN and the PRINCESS.)

Many  happy returns of the day, Princess Mary Rose.  This is a happy occasion.  

              (SOUND: Waltz music)  

PRINCE MORECASH continued 

May I have this dance?

              (THEY stumble while dancing.)  

Sorry, my fault entirely.

              (THEY stumble again.)

(MORECASH dances with the PRINCESS

               until the next prince is announced. 

               Then HE goes to stand near the Banker.)

 HERALD 

His Royal Highness Prince Valiant.

              (TRUMPET FLOURISH)

(After the HERALD announces the last

               prince, the HERALD exits.)

 PRINCE VALIANT

              (HE enters and bows to the Princess.

               He stares at her before speaking.  HE

               nervously clears his throat.)

Many  best  wishes  .  .  . returns . . . happy 

wishes, Your Princess. . . I mean Your Highness.  

 PRINCESS 

Thank you, Prince Valiant. 

 PRINCE VALIANT

Your dress . . . is . . . is . . . blue.

 PRINCESS 

Yes, it's my favorite color. 

              (The PRINCESS smiles kindly at him.)

 PRINCE VALIANT

              (VALIANT touches his chest.)

Sighs.

              (SOUND: Waltz music)

 PRINCE VALIANT continued

              (HE notices the Princess swaying

               to the music.)

Have I . . . may I this dance?

              (PRINCE VALIANT and the PRINCESS 

               dance until PRINCE CHARMING cuts in. 

               PRINCE VALIANT puts her hand into

               PRINCE CHARMING'S hand as the waltz                     ends. PRINCE  CHARMING and the PRINCESS

               hold hands and gaze into each other's

               eyes.)

              (SOUND: Group dance music.)

              (EVERYONE DANCES to the music.)

              (PRINCE VALIANT, PRINCE MORECASH, and                   the BANKER dance with the LADIES.)

               (The song ends and PRINCESS MARY ROSE

               stands next to PRINCE CHARMING as the

               guests exit.  HE is the last to leave.)

 BANKER & WIFE 

Happy birthday, Princess Mary Rose.

              (BANKER and WIFE bow and exit.)

 OTHER LADIES 

Happy birthday, Princess Mary Rose.

              (LADIES curtsey and exit.)

 PRINCE MORECASH 

Happy birthday, Princess Mary Rose. 

              (MORECASH bows and exits.)

 PRINCE VALIANT 

Happy  birthday,  my  Rose  .  . . Mary Princess my Rose . . Princess Mary Rose.  

              (VALIANT bows and exits.)

 PRINCE CHARMING

              (PRINCE CHARMING kisses the PRINCESS'

               hand and holds it a moment.) 

Happy birthday, Princess Mary Rose.

              (HE bows and exits.)

 PRINCESS

              (The Princess sighs and with arms

               open wide she twirls around..)  

Isn't  Prince  Charming  wonderful?  Oh, Mother, I think I'm in love.  

              (SHE sighs again, twirls, and then 

              walks towards the Queen.)  

I am in love.  Thank you for giving me a birthday ball.

 QUEEN 

So the ball was everything you expected it to be?

 PRINCESS 

Oh,  yes!   It  was  heavenly!  Do you think Prince Charming feels the same way about me that I do about him?

 QUEEN 

Ask  me again after you open your present and find the three lessons it holds.  

              (The QUEEN holds out a small box.)  

 PRINCESS 

Three lessons?  In this one little box?  

              (The PRINCESS takes the box and

               shakes it near her ear.)

 QUEEN 

Yes, three lessons.  Go ahead and open it up.

 PRINCESS 

What a beautiful ring!  Thank you, Mother.

 QUEEN 

It's more than a ring.  It was given to me by a magician. 

 PRINCESS

         (The PRINCESS starts to put on the ring.)                

 QUEEN

No,  wait!   Don't put it on yet.  When you put on the ring, you  will  relive  the day past.  You can choose any day you want to relive.

 PRINCESS

              (SHE puts on ring.)  

I  want  to  relive  TODAY!  This was the happiest day of my life!

 QUEEN 

You  didn't  let  me  finish  telling you about the ring.  I hope your memories of this special day won't be ruined.

 PRINCESS 

What do you mean?

 QUEEN 

This  ring  will  teach  you  three  lessons about life.  It might have been better to learn them on another day. 

 PRINCESS 

Don't worry.  Nothing could ruin today for me.  

QUEEN 

I hope you are right.

 PRINCESS 

How does the ring work?  Do I say a magic spell?

 QUEEN 

No,  it's  very easy.  When you touch the ring, you can hear the thoughts of the person you're looking at.

 PRINCESS 

As though they were speaking aloud?

 QUEEN 

Yes, but you are the only one who can hear them.

 HERALD

              (HERALD enters and bows.)  

Your  Majesty,  the  people are here with birthday gifts for Princess Mary Rose.

 QUEEN 

Bring them in.

              (The HERALD bows and exits.)

 QUEEN continued

              (The QUEEN yawns.)  

I  need  a nap if I'm to stay awake all night for your ball. I will leave you to accept your gifts, Mary Rose.

 PRINCESS

              (SHE curtsies.)  

Good day, Your Majesty. 

              (The PRINCESS skips over to sit on

               the throne.  SHE sits up straight

               and arranges her dress.)

 HERALD

              (HERALD enters and bows.)

 PRINCESS 

I am ready.

 HERALD 

Let the ceremony begin.

 FLOWER GIRL 

            (SHE   enters  and  dances  around  the                  stage throwing  petals as she goes. SHE                 then stands near the Princess.)

 HERALD

              (HERALD  announces  each  person   in  a                loud voice.)

The Royal Baker.

 BAKER

              (BAKER enters and bows.)

Many  happy  returns,  Your Highness.  I bring you my finest loaf. 

(The BAKER places the loaf on the table.)

              (The PRINCESS touches the ring.)

      (ACTORS move downstage & speak directly to the         audience when speaking their thoughts aloud.)

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