Nature-lover, young and beautiful, but poor, Gilda, who is watched over by Forest Elves, is given the chance to live like a Princess, which she accepts. Taken in by the King and Queen, it’s the King’s evil brother’s son, Denny, who has eyes for Gilda and kidnaps her. Thanks to the Forest Elves and visiting Prince, Poul, will Gilda be rescued in time and returned to her life in the palace?
Cast in order of appearance:
Poor man, Gilda’s father (age 10-18)
(voice over, not seen) Great Spirit of Fairy Lake Forest (age 15-30)
Gilda, young beautiful girl (age 14-19)
Four main forest elves, (elder) Wiser, (5) Simone, (6) Shamus, (7) Rufus (can have other elves on site)(age 10-17)
Elderly Queen (age 16-25) (Female unless a Pantomime)(optional male or female)
Queen’s Foot Soldier (age 10-18) (can be doubled as Palace Servant, Denny’s army)
Poor Villagers (four to six) (age 10-18)(doubled as Han’s archers or Denny’s army)
Hans, Gilda brother (age 14-19)
Gilda mother (no words)(age 10-18)(can be doubled as Palace Servant)
Main Royal Servant (14) other Royal Servant (are two altogether)(age 10-18)
Elderly King (age 16-25)(male unless a pantomime)(optional male or female)
King’s brother Ole (age 16-25)
King’s brother’s son Denny (age 12-17)
Poul, handsome visiting Prince (age 14-19)
Placard carrier( age 5 to 12)(male or female dressed as a court jester)
King’s Brother’s Army (five to seven) (aged 10-17)
Hans men (three to five) (aged 10-17)
Neighbouring King (male unless Pantomime, aged 16-25)(Optional Town’s Mayor in a cameo)
Neighbouring Queen (female unless Pantomime, aged 16-25)(Optional Mayor’s wife in cameo)
(Very Optional) Santa Claus (Elderly man) (if done around Christmas)
Playwright:
Rod is an award-winning journalist and author of three books, now retired. Two are humour books and the last being a well-received book of poetry. Rod took to writing plays about four years ago and has been pursuing this full-time, or whenever he isn’t sleeping or tending to his garden! Rod was the main Foley artist on ‘Ace Galaksi: Space Dick at Large’ in the Festival’s first year and was Rod’s foray into live theatre. Rod’s youngest sister and parents were heavily involved in ‘theatre’ and the performing arts and this is an area he always wanted to pursue, now mainly script writing! Gilda The Princess is his first script to be accepted and performed live on stage. Thanks also to Ole Madsen, the author of the book Gilda, which Rod turned into a play with full permission.