Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Thirteen at Dinner: A play about King Richard the Third of England 1452-1485
    Thirteen at Dinner: A play about King Richard the Third of England 1452-1485
    Thirteen at Dinner: A play about King Richard the Third of England 1452-1485
    Ebook59 pages46 minutes

    Thirteen at Dinner: A play about King Richard the Third of England 1452-1485

    By L. M. Ollie

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Adapted for the stage from the novel On the Trail of King Richard III by L.M. Ollie, this play deals with the consequences of obsession; the enemy of rational thought. The dinner brings together an eclectic ensemble of individuals including several members of the Richard III Society. Dedicated to an almost mythical image of this 15th century monarch, these individuals are forced to confront contentious issues never before discussed while mourning the passing, early that day, of one of their own.
    The action takes place in the private functions room of the New Black Horse Inn, Market Bosworth on the eve of the anniversary of King Richard's death (August 22nd, 1485). Thirteen people sit down to dinner but only one of them is aware that one more guest from beyond the grave will very shortly be joining them.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublishereBookIt.com
    Release dateApr 26, 2016
    ISBN9780473183561
    Thirteen at Dinner: A play about King Richard the Third of England 1452-1485

    Read more from L. M. Ollie

    Related to Thirteen at Dinner

    Related ebooks

    European History For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    Related categories

    Reviews for Thirteen at Dinner

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Thirteen at Dinner - L. M. Ollie

      them.

      Scene 1

      A table set for a dinner party, covered with a blood-red cloth. It's large enough to seat thirteen along one side in an inverted V pattern, facing the audience. A centerpiece of white roses sits in the middle surrounded by an assortment of wine bottles. At the back, stage right facing the audience hangs a portrait of King Richard III. The portrait is illuminated by its own spotlight. A semi-transparent curtain is drawn across in front of most of the table from stage left to roughly center stage,giving the illusion of a separate room. Behind the curtain, seven people (Stephanie, Beth, Mary, John, Claire, Jenny, Pet) are milling about, talking in small groups, wandering around, admiring the portrait or inspecting the table arrangement. They make no sound. Stage lights are dimmed 50%.

      Walking down the steps towards the stage come Gail, Rachael and Laura, linked arm and arm with Rachael in the middle. Spotlight 100% on the threesome as they approach the stage, then stop.

      RACHAEL I'm so glad you two could make it. I thought about cancelling but I know Nell wouldn't want that. Do you know, she was the one who got me interested in Richard in the first place and ah … well it won't be the same without her. She … she was ninety-one but I've told you that already, haven't I? Sorry.

      LAURA I heard someone at the church say that she had a heart condition.

      RACHAEL Yeah, a bad one. This was going to be her last Memorial Weekend. I guess she died just the way she wanted to die - on his day, in his church. Anyhow, she'll be with us in spirit. [Sighs, righting herself] I was just organizing the dessert trolley. The dinner's pretty basic stuff but the hotel's really gone overboard with the desserts. [She pulls out a menu. Gail takes it and begins reading avidly]

      GAIL This looks terrific and I'm starved. With everything going on today I missed out on a decent lunch. [Frowns] You're not having a meeting or something first are you?

      RACHAEL Nope. Quick introductions and straight into it.

      GAIL [Relieved] Good.

      Gail begins walking towards the stage with Laura just behind. Rachael grabs Laura's arm, stopping her.

      RACHAEL [Whispering] Just before Nell died she said that she saw Richard's ghost.

      LAURA Yes, I heard her.

      RACHAEL What do you think she really saw?

      LAURA [Shrugs, feigning indifference] Like you said Rachael, she died how she wanted to die, seeing perhaps what she wanted to see.

      RACHAEL Yeah … well, I ah … Hell - enough! Let's have some fun. Got some bona fide, true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool Ricardians for you to meet. Hope your notes are up to scratch.

      LAURA [Smiling] Lead on, Macduff.

      Lights up 100% as the curtain is drawn back, bringing up the volume of conversation on stage. Gail, Laura and Rachael appear, stage right.

      RACHAEL Everyone, I want you to meet Gail and Laura, although some of you may remember Laura from the service. [General mummerings as Rachael begins the task of introducing each person individually] Laura, Gail - John and Claire Delt. John is a self-professed, lapsed Ricardian - a heathen in our midst. If it weren't for Claire we'd have given him the boot ages ago. I warn you, he's extremely charming so watch yourselves.

      JOHN [Hand on heart as if mortally wounded] Rachael, you do me wrong. I am but a seeker after truth, nothing more. [Smiles broadly then winks at Laura]

      MARY Ignore him my dear, he's quite incorrigible.

      RACHAEL [Laughs and hugs Mary briefly] This is Mary Courtland and Beth Carter. Long-time Ricardians and the very heart and soul of the Society. Mary and Beth are from York and, believe me, there's nothing they don't know about the Lord of the North.

      GAIL You mean Richard?

      BETH [Condescending tone] Who else would we mean, my dear?

      GAIL Yeah, right … of course. [Whispers to Laura] I thought he was a king.

      LAURA [Whispers back] That came later.

      GAIL [Whispers again] After he murdered all the opposition - right?

      LAURA [Whispers again with a cautionary tone] Careful, we're outnumbered.

      [Rachael, Gail and Laura join three women _ Pet, Stephanie and Jenny - standing together. Pet is holding an ornate goblet;  both garish and spurious. She takes a

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1