Summary: In the far-from-serious Kingdoms of Quivergum and Closet Mush, washed-up showbiz partners Rumpelstiltskin and the Beast have turned to petty crime out of boredom. When they cross paths with Jack the (former) Giant Killer—now a weary soldier under blustery Captain Glumsnick—the trio stumbles into a royal mix-up involving a traveling King, a missing Princess, and Rump’s delightfully cantankerous Witch of a wife. Hijinks follow: mistaken loyalties, a robbery-that-shouldn’t-be, and musical interludes that capture the comic spirit of fractured fairy tales. At its heart, the play is a celebration of youthful imagination, parody, and the timeless longing for belonging.
Style: Comedy. Duration: ~60 minutes (one-act)
Actors: (flexible, 9+ roles, gender-neutral, expandable ensemble):
Cast:
- Narrator
- Rumpelstiltskin (“Rump”)
- Beast
- Jack (the former Giant Killer)
- Captain Glumsnick
- Private
- Witch
- Beauty
- King Stencilglop
- Optional ensemble roles (expandable/doubled as needed)
• Target producing groups: Middle school, high school, and community youth programs
• Production history: Winner, University of Missouri One-Act Play Contest
Technical Notes
• Simple set and modular staging
• Flexible costumes and props
• Optional music cues; songs may be spoken or omitted
• Basic lighting sufficient
• Easy to stage for youth and community groups
Note: A sample of the script (Scene 1) can be downloaded by clicking on this link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/k2pwyzg48o4zntj/Closetmush-scene_1.pdf/file
A small royalty payment is requested for the full script and music. For further details, contact the author, Errol Strider
Email:
Websites: thelaughingheart.org | GrandpaErrol.com