The Last Gift

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

CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that The Last Gift is subject to a royalty.  It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, the British Commonwealth, including Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union.  All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, and the rights of translation into foreign language are strictly reserved. 

           The amateur live stage performance rights to The Last Gift are controlled exclusively by Drama Source and royalty arrangements and licenses must be secured well in advance of presentation.  

PLEASE NOTE that amateur royalty fees are set upon application in accordance with your producing circumstances.  When applying for a royalty quotation and license please give us the number of performances intended, dates of production, your seating capacity and the admission fee.  Royalties are payable one week before the opening performance of the play to Drama Source, 1588 E. 361 N., St. Anthony, Idaho 83445. 

                Royalty of the required amount must be paid whether the play is presented for charity or gain, and whether or not admission is charged.  For all other rights than those stipulated above, apply to Drama Source, 1588 E. 361 N. St. Anthony, Idaho 83445.  Copying from this book in whole or in part is strictly forbidden by law, and the right of performance is not transferable.  Whenever the play is produced, the following notice must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for the play, “Produced by special arrangement with Drama Source.”  Due authorship credit must be given on all programs, printing and advertising for the play.

No one shall commit or authorize any act or omission by which the copyright or the rights to copyright of this play may be impaired.

No one shall make changes in this play for the purpose of production without written permission.

Publication of this play does not imply availability for performance.    Both amateurs and professionals considering a production are strongly advised in their own interests to apply to Drama Source for written permission before starting rehearsals, advertising, or booking a theatre.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, now known or yet to be invented, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, videotaping or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.THE LAST GIFT

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

        &amp

The Last Gift

No videos show for this product.

No images show for this product.