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Death of Robin Hood

DRAMA/COMEDY

Death of Robin Hood
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THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD

A FINALIST FOR THE SETC/STAGE RIGHTS READY TO PUBLISH AWARD

When the life of Will Scatheloke is in danger, the minstrel Alan-a-Dale invents a character, Robin Hood, to take the fall for his friend’s crimes. But when the Sheriff and his wife Lady Marian become convinced that their lies are reality, Alan realizes that the only way to escape the story is by making it into a legend. And there’s only one way a legend can end.


SYNOPSIS


The play opens on a funeral being held for an infamous thief named Robin Hood. Unfortunately, no one can think of a good eulogy. Alan-a-Dale finally steps forward, but seems to be at a loss for words.

A month earlier, Alan arrives back in the village of Loxley, after a three-month absence. He is greeted by an old friend, John Little, who tells him of the state of Loxley. Since Alan’s departure, a new Sheriff has been appointed. While he is brutal and efficient, his wife, Lady Marian, is a kind-hearted soul, and her new maid happens to be Ellen Scatheloke, the little sister of Alan’s best friend Will. John takes Alan to Will’s house, where they find the Sheriff interrogating him for stealing tax money. Alan quickly jumps in, blaming the theft on an infamous thief named Robin Hood. The tale he weaves is enough to free a less-than-grateful Will, but once away from the Sheriff, Alan, Will, and John fret over how to make the story convincing.

To help make Robin seem more realistic, Alan writes a letter from Robin and sends it to the Sheriff. The Sheriff is enraged by the taunt. Meanwhile, his bored wife Marian is captivated by the idea of a rogue in the village. Ellen, however, recognizes Alan’s handwriting and quickly returns home. She sends Will and John off to distribute the stolen tax money to the villagers, before Will can be caught and executed. Alan and Ellen share a tense reunion. Although Alan was meant to go off on the Crusades, he became a minstrel instead, and Ellen feels deeply betrayed, as the two of them were lovers at the time.

While the story of Robin Hood begins to spread, leading the Sheriff to suspect that Alan is the real thief, all Alan can think of is Ellen. He writes her a love letter, but it falls into Marian’s hands. Recognizing the handwriting as Robin’s, Marian begins to fall in love. The Sheriff, meanwhile, takes the letter as a personal attack and sets a trap to capture Robin Hood, hosting an archery contest and offering 500 pounds to the winner. John, now in love with being a hero, insists that Alan and Will enter. Alan wins, igniting the Sheriff’s suspicions, but Ellen steps in at the last second, disguised as Robin Hood, and splits Alan’s arrow in half. As pandemonium breaks out, Marian begs Ellen to arrange a meeting for her with Robin Hood.

Alan and Ellen meet with Will and John. Ellen begs Alan to visit Marian as Robin, promising to forgive him for leaving her if he does. Alan reluctantly agrees. Unfortunately, Marian becomes so enthralled, she begs Alan to rescue her from her life. Ellen tricks Alan into agreeing. Alone, they exchange angry words where Alan tearfully reveals the reason he never went on the Crusades is he considers himself a coward. Ellen comforts him, and the two of them admit they’re both still in love. The next morning, they talk John into helping them rescue Marian. Will, however, wants no part of it and angrily leaves.

Ellen sneaks John and Alan, both disguised as Robin Hood, into the palace, but their plans are fouled up by Will, also disguised as Robin Hood, robbing the treasury. While John carries Marian off, begging her to hide in a convent, Alan and Ellen rescue Will. The angry Will turns on Alan and nearly kills him, letting out his rage over the fact that Alan left him behind. As they make their escape, they reconcile, but also realize that Robin Hood must die in order for them to live. They stage a murder for the Sheriff, Will pretending to kill Alan, dressed up as Robin Hood. The Sheriff agrees to pardon all of Will’s trespasses, in exchange for the disposal of Robin Hood.

In the end, Alan delivers his eulogy for Robin Hood; as spontaneous and made up as the man himself.

QUOTE



Characters:

Alan – M, 20s-30s. A wandering minstrel, recently returned to Loxley, with a weak stomach.

Little John – M, 30s-50s. A boisterous, friendly blacksmith.

Ellen – F, 20s-30s. Lady Marian’s maid, Will’s athletic sister, and Alan’s former lover.

Marian –F, 20s-40s. The bored wife of the Sheriff, with long, luxurious hair and a flare for the dramatic.

Sheriff –M, 30s-50s. Lady Marian’s husband and Loxley’s frustrated lawman, who has some skill with a sword.

Will – M, 20s-30s. Ellen’s older brother and Alan’s former best friend, who happens to be an excellent swordsman.

Setting: Loxley, England, around the Dark Ages.

Performance Royalties for AMATEUR and EDUCATIONAL Groups, please fill out an application for your personalized quote.

Performance Royalties for PROFESSIONAL Theaters will be quoted as a box office percentage, with a minimum guarantee based on ticket prices and theater particulars. Please fill out an application for your personalized quote.

Authorized Materials must be purchased from Stage Rights as a part of your licensing agreement (see Materials).

Billing responsibilities, pertinent copyright information, and playwrights' biographies are available in the show rider that comes with your license agreement.

Authorized Materials must be purchased from Stage Rights as a part of your licensing agreement. Your materials will be sent to you digitally by your Licensing Representative.

The Authorized Materials/Production Package for The Death of Robin Hood are all fulfilled digitally and consist of:

Acting Edition

Stage Manager Script

Director’s Script