The Emperor's New Clothes

by Rosemarie Gerould

Synopsis

How can a clever court jester save an entire kingdom? Easy, just take two con artists, talk them into becoming the King's tailors, keep the King's councilor confused and you have a great show of fun pantomime, clever twists and the ultimate laugh at a king who would drive his kingdom into the ground for his vanity. The con artists learn the lesson of honesty and the King learns the reality of taking his responsibilities seriously. Fun for adults and children with wonderful audience interaction.

Cast

Pillius Broom Foxburrough Strumm (aka Pilly), the court jester

The Master Secretary and Royal Keeper of the Records (aka Berny)

His Imperial Majesty Alouyses Pompous the First, the Emperor

Whiffle Fentail von Fric (aka Fric), a rogue

Alfreda Coppertop von Frac (aka Frac), another rogue

5 characters, 3–4f, 2–3m
Snippet

Frac: Listen, I had the mayor of that last town convinced that we were famous painters. He was going to hire us and house us and feed us while we painted a portrait of his wife. It would have been weeks before he figured out we didn't know anything about painting. By that time we would have been long gone with full pocket books and stomachs.

Fric: So?

Frac: So? So, I told you to let me do all the talking, and did you? Noooo!

Fric: What did I say that was so bad?

Frac: Oh for... listen, remember when we had our audience with the mayor?

Fric: Yes.

Frac: And he asked us if we would paint his wife?

Fric: Yes.

Frac: Do you remember what you said? Do you remember what you said when the mayor asked us to paint his wife?

Fric: No.

Frac: You said, "What color?"

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