This is an excerpt from Noah Smith's adaptation of THE LEGEND OF THE SWORD IN THE STONE. The complete script is available by clicking HERE.
The set will represent many locations, but
primarily the field right in front of where the
Sword in the Stone stands. This is a large
stone, on a platform with steps leading up to
it. There is an ornate sword stuck in it, up
to the hilt. This sword must be removable.
Later in the play, the plot calls for a
substitute sword to be places in the stone, and
still later that sword must be swapped for
another one.
Other scenery include bushes and at least one
other large rock.
Lights up.
MERLIN enters, followed by a group of KIDS.
MERLIN
Look, children, for the thousandth time, you have made a
mistake. Do you see what this is?
(Points to the Sword in the Stone.)
Oh, good morning everyone. I'm glad to see you all here. Now
look at this -- do you know what this is?
Audience responds.
MERLIN
Thank you, yes. You see, this is the Sword in the Stone. And
do you know who I am?
Audience responds.
MERLIN
Yes, that's right. I am Merlin, the greatest wizard of all
time. So you are all mistaken. Sword in the Stone. That's
"Sword in the" not "Sorcerer's." And I am Merlin, not
Dumblebumble, or whoever you think I am. I'm certainly not a
professor at some school for warthogs.
The KIDS are disappointed.
KID 1
Come on, guys, let's go.
MERLIN
Children, no, please, why are you leaving?
KID 2
We really wanted to see this story.
The KIDS all have copies of the books with the
stories they wanted to see.
MERLIN
Really? This story is that captivating? Here, let me see
these books.
The KIDS pile the books into MERLIN'S arms.
MERLIN
(Ad-lib)
Dear me! Just how many books are there in this series. Is
this a novel or an encyclopedia? All right, all right, which
one of these is the first one? Let me have a look at this
amazing story you're all so fond of.
MERLIN starts to read the book very quickly.
KID 3
Wow! You read really fast!
MERLIN
I'm a wizard. We're good at that sort of thing.
(Finishes.)
I see. Well, I certainly see why you enjoy this. But tell me.
This is a story about a young boy who has lost his parents,
correct?
KIDS
Yes.
MERLIN
And he's raised by another family, with no idea that he is
one of the most important, most powerful people in the world?
KIDS
Yes!
MERLIN
And then he learns of his destiny and gets a group of friends
who also have great powers and they fight evil together?
KIDS
Yes!
MERLIN
And there is a character who is an older wizard, a white
bearded, beloved, wise … handsome wizard?
KID 4
Well, I don't know about handsome.
MERLIN
Children, you are in luck. It just so happens that today's
tale involves all of those elements.
KID 5
What, you're just going to tell us a rip-off?
MERLIN
Child, this story is over one thousand years old. I'm fairly
certain it came before those books of yours. Now sit, and we
shall begin.
The KIDS sit. Lights shift.
MERLIN
Once upon a time, England had no King. The land fell into
chaos. The noblemen and women of the country had no idea what
to do, so naturally, they went to see the wisest person in
all of England.
KID 6
Who?
MERLIN
Who else? Me! Children, help me.
The KIDS take on roles as nobles.
KID 7
Merlin, won't you please become our king?
MERLIN
Oh, most certainly not. England will have a king, but it
shall not be Merlin. No, the one, true King of England will
be the person who can pull this sword from this stone.
KID 8
Okay! Let me try!
KID 8 rushes up and tries to pull the sword
from the stone. He struggles and fails.
MERLIN
No, no, my friend. There will come a day when that sword will
be removed, but it will not be soon and it will not be done
by any of you, but by the only person destined to rule all of
England.
KID 9
But Merlin, what will we do until then?
MERLIN
Until the true King is found, you will need to find a Regent.
KID 10
What's a regent?
MERLIN
A temporary ruler, someone who will run the country until the
true king is found.
Lights shift, KIDS are KIDS again.
MERLIN
Now, I made a mistake there -- I've only made two mistakes in
my entire life and that was the first. When I said "you will
need to find a Regent" I should have said "You will need to
find a Regent who isn't stupider than a bucket of pudding." I
did not say this however, and this is the regent they chose.
BARON BORON enters. He carries a crown.
BARON
Ah, Merlin! There you are! I say, have you heard the news.
They made me the new Regent! I'm the ruler of all of England!
Isn't that simply spiffing?
MERLIN
Oh! Baron Boron … you're the one they chose?
BARON
Yes indeed! They even gave me this belt to wear.
(Tries to pull the crown over his feet like a
belt.)
But I'll be dashed if I can't seem to fit into it. I'll have
to cut down on those big lunches! No more bangers and mash
for me!
MERLIN
Your grace, I believe that is a crown, it's meant to be worn
on the head
BARON
Oh. Rightio, then.
(Puts it on his head.)
MERLIN
Your Grace, may I introduce someone to you? Morgan, could
you come out her please.
MORGAN LE FEY enters.
MERLIN
Your Grace, this is Morgan Le Fey, she is my most promising
magical pupil. She may some day have powers greater than
even my own.
BARON
My goodness, how do you do?
MORGAN
A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.
MERLIN
(Taking Morgan aside.)
Morgan, you have learned all you can learn from me. I think
it is time for your first assignment.
MORGAN
I'm honored to hear you say that, Master Merlin.
MERLIN
I am worried about our new Regent. He is not a bad man, but
… good gracious, he is not a smart man. Stay with him.
Advise him. Make sure he makes only the wisest of decisions
until the true King of England returns.
MORGAN
Your wish is my command, Master.
Lights shift. MORGAN and BARON leave.
MERLIN
(To the children.)
That was my second mistake, as you will soon see. Years
passed, and finally it was time to find the true King again.
The BARON enters, perhaps looking a bit older.
MORGAN, looking older and more evil now, stands
behind him.
BARON
Hear ye! Hear ye! Let the word go forth throughout the
land! The time has come to find the one true King of
England! As Regent, I declare that there shall be a grand
tournament! Jousting! Displays of swordsmanship and
archery! And at the end, only the worthiest of candidates
will be given the opportunity to attempt to pull the sword
from the stone. Come one! Come all! For the Grand
Tournament shall now begin!
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING sounds are heard. Lights
shift.)
BARON
Well, I suppose that's it, Morgan. I shan't be regent much
longer. It was fun while it lasted.
MORGAN
You're really just going to give up that easily?
BARON
Well, I hardly have a choice, do I?
MORGAN
And you call yourself a leader! You've been the regent for
years now. But you're just going to give it up and let some
toffee-nosed brat become king just because he can pull a
sword out of a stone?
BARON
Well … yes … I thought I was …
MORGAN
Come, Your Grace, we can't let it end like that. We'll think
of something … together.
BARON
Very well … corking!
BARON goes.
MORGAN
That fool! He has the power of the Kingdom in the palm of
his hand and he's willing to throw it all away. But I won't
let that happen. Baron Boron has been my pawn for years now.
I'm the one who has truly ruled England and I'm not ready to
give it up. England will be mine!
MORGAN laughs evilly and goes. Lights shift.
MERLIN
In my defense, she seemed perfectly nice when she was my
student. Ah, but look, the competitors for the grand
tournament have begun to arrive.
Lights shift. SIR ECTOR and his son KAY enter.
ECTOR
Here we are, son. Soon to be the sight of your greatest
triumph. Imagine! My son, the King!
KAY
Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, father. Look! There
it is! The sword in the stone!
ECTOR
Don't touch it yet, son! You'll have to win the tournament
first! Say, where's your equipment? Arthur! Arthur get in
here, don't lag too much.
ARTHUR enters. He is carrying their luggage.
ARTHUR
Sorry, Sir Ector.
LANCELOT has entered from the side. He watches
this, unseen.
KAY
Father, it's really not fair to make Arthur carry everything
like this. He's your son, too, you know.
ARTHUR
Oh, it's fine, Kay. You need to save your strength for the
tournament.
ECTOR
See, Kay, Arthur doesn't mind. And that's what I like to
see, my son and my adopted son working together. Just think
Arthur, when Kay becomes King, maybe you can carry the royal
luggage! Come along, Kay, we've got to sign you up for the
tournament.
ECTOR and KAY exit. Lights shift. MERLIN
comes forward.
MERLIN
Out of curiosity, have any of you guessed who's going to pull
the sword out of the stone?
(Audience responds.)
Yes, you're all very clever. But remember, none of these
people suspect a thing. So shh!