Bard Again!

MacHamlet takes to foreign parts
Part 2 of the MacHamlet trilogy

To order scripts ISBN 978-1-873855-67-6 – Cast List – Scenes – Extract – Production photos

Note that The Trilogy is now available as a single publication ISBN 978-1-873855-72-0


Introduction

Having taken part in the first game of football in Scotland in 1040 (see MacHamlet), two years later our teams head to Venice for the first ever European Cup – but all does not go to plan! See also MacHamlet goes West .

I hope you'll enjoy performing this pantomime of a play.

Knowledge of the relevant Shakespeare plays will make the experience more enjoyable for cast and audience, but is certainly not a prerequisite.

Running time approx 2 hours including interval

Principals: 21 with doubling, of whom 6 male & 4 female as indicated; for the rest, genders can be swapped – treat it as a pantomime!

The year is 1042; the time is medieval; the morals mighty evil!


Cast List . . .

The Scottish Team:

Mac Macbeth, thane of Mylife, opportunist goal-seeker
Beth Macbeth
his wife & team director
Witch One
(Morag) organiser of Scottish cheerleaders
Witch Two
(Kirsty) a cheery cheerleader
Witch Three
(Bella) a dour cheerleader
Duncan King
team captain
Banquo the Ghost
a phantom winger
Birnam Wood
from where we get defence
Glen & Morangie
supporters of the Scottish distilleries
Will McGonagall
a barred bard

The Danish Team:

Hamlet formerly known as Prince, dead ball specialist
Gertrude
Hamlet's mother, team trainer, now married to Claudius
Claudius
disputed team captain
Horatio
a solid goalkeeper
Yorick
good with the head
Polonius
team manager
Ophelia
team masseuse
Carl & Berg
probably the best lager louts in the world
Hans Christian Andersen
a seller of tales

Lady Godiva/Portia the referees
Kismet Kate
an Italian feminist


List of Scenes . . .

Act I

Scene 1 – The Witches convene
Scene 2 – In a Scottish pub
Scene 3 – Bard-off #1
Scene 4 – Rowing practice
Scene 5 – Witches' search
Scene 6 – On the longboat
Scene 7 – The Venetians await
Scene 8 – Arrival in Venice

**** INTERVAL ****

Act II

Scene 1 – Polonius & Portia
Scene 2 – In a Venetian bar
Scene 3 – Bard-off #2
Scene 4 – Update
Scene 5 – Match of the Bay
Scene 6 – Witches switch
Scene 7 – Back in the Venetian bar


Extract – The first scene

Act I Scene 1 – The Witches convene

(The three witches declaim from different points in the auditorium, moving towards the stage.)

Witch 1 The year has turned, the day is nigh.
Witch 2 'Once more unto the breach,' they cry.
Witch 3 'Once more unto the breach?' What's that?
Witch 1 We're off to see a football match
Witch 2 But not in Scotland, dear me no –
             We've many further miles to go.
Witch 1 We'll have to go across the sea,
             As far away as Italy.
Witch 3 To Italy? Well, thank you, ta –
             I don't know if I go that far.
Witch 1 Well, Bella dear, that's nothing new.
Witch 2 It's true – she hasn't got a clue.
Witch 1 We're going there to cheer our lads.
Witch 2 Dressed in our tartan and our plaids.
Witch 3 Well count me out, it's not my scene.
Witch 1 Och, come on Bella, don't be mean!
Witch 2 They'll lose if we don't back them up.
Witch 3 Lose what?
Witch 1       The European Cup!
Witch 3 The wha'?
Witch 2       It's new this year you know.
Witch 1 The flying Doctor told us so.
Witch 3 Not that one in the flashing hut!
Witch 1 Aye, him again.
Witch 3       I don't know – but …

(They have arrived at the stage, and broomsticks appear)

Witch 2 You'll do it, Bella. Stick by me.
             We'll travel in formation – see?
Witch 1 The Doctor found these on a trip.
             He said we'd find them useful.
Witch 2       Sit
             Like this, he said (she demonstrates) and hold on tight.
Witch 1 We'll be like three black crows in flight.
Witch 3 Where did he find them?
Witch 1       I don't know.
             I think he said some studio.
Witch 2 Aye, piled outside with all the scrap
             Along with some old wizard's hat.
Witch 3 They've all got names.
Witch 1       My, my, that's true.
             I'm Harry Potter. Who are you?
Witch 2 I'm Weasley Ron.
Witch 3       I'm Hermi One.
Witch 1 Right – ready for a trial run?
Witch 2 As ready as we'll ever be.
Witch 1 Then, chocks away – to Italy!

(The witches exit, fly them if you dare!)


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