Molly Whuppie & The Double-faced Ogre one act play script

ONE ACT PLAYS

MOLLY WHUPPIE & THE DOUBLE-FACED OGRE
by Ron Nicol

PLOT RESUME
When Prince Wilfrid falls in love with bold and clever Molly Whuppie, King Walter challenges her to steal the Ogre’s sword, purse and ring. Though hampered by the hapless Prince, Molly sets out on her task. Though written with youth groups in mind, the play can be performed by mixed groups of young people and adults.

“Funny, lively … went down a treat with the audience.” Scene, 2002
“Light-hearted fairy-tale with a modern slant … hugely enjoyable.” Scene, 2003

“Molly Whuppie and the Double-faced Ogre” was a prizewinner in the Youth Section of the Scottish Community Drama Association’s Play on Words 2002 playwriting competition, and was first produced by St Michael’s Players at the Village Theatre, East Kilbride on 9th November 2002.

ISBN 1 904930 45 X

CAST 4M 3F
Non-speaking courtiers and attendants could appear in the King Walter scenes at the director’s discretion.

MOLLY WHUPPIE, a bold & clever girl
OLGA, the Ogre's daughter
THE OGRE'S WIFE
THE OGRE PRINCE WILFRID
KING WALTER, his father
BALDERDASH, the King's adviser

PLACE & TIME - mythical
DURATION - approx. 45 minutes

Script Sample

The lighting increases to reveal the Ogre’s house. Olga the Ogre’s daughter, a large and lumpy girl, enters suspiciously. She eyes Molly up and down before speaking

Olga What’m you wanting?
Molly I’m lost in the forest...
Olga I knows that. What’m you wanting?
Molly I’m cold and hungry.
Olga I knows that ‘n’ all. I says, what’m you wanting?
Molly I wondered if you’d be able to help me…

Olga silently stares at Molly, then suddenly shrieks at the top of her voice

Olga Mama! Mama! There be a girlie here! She be lost, she be!

The Ogre’s Wife, a large and lumpy woman, enters

Ogre’s Wife What be what, daughter mine? (Olga points dumbly at Molly) Yes, dearie? What’s your name, then?
Molly I’m Molly Whuppie. Pleased to meet you.

She vigorously shakes hands with the Ogre’s Wife, who’s amazed at such goings on. Molly thrusts out her hand to Olga. Olga steps back in fright and hides behind her mother, who recovers from her amazement

Ogre’s Wife So you be Molly Whuppie, eh? That be a fine name. Now what’re a girlie like you wanting with the like of us?
Molly I’m sorry to trouble you. I’m lost in the forest. I’m cold and hungry and tired, it’s getting dark and I’m a long way from home. Could you perhaps spare me a little food and give me lodging for the night?
Ogre’s Wife You wouldn’t thank me for it, dearie. My man’s an ogre, see, and when he come home he kill you for sure.
Molly An ogre!
Ogre’s Wife Yes, dearie.
Molly I just knew it was an ogre’s house! Would he really kill me?
Ogre’s Wife Of a certainty.
Olga (with pleasure) He do kill all little girlies. ‘Cept me, o’ course.
Ogre’s Wife She’m right, dearie. He kill you for sure. Don’t take it personal, now, it just be his bit of fun. If it be supper you want, it’s supper you’ll likely be, for there’s nowt he likes better than little girlie grilled on toast.
Olga (smiling broadly) Kill you for sure, he will.
Molly If you give me supper at once, I’ll have finished it before he comes home. And if he’s like to eat me, I’ll be that much fatter after my supper.
Olga He like killing, he do! So do I! He let me help sometimes...
Ogre’s Wife Hush, dear daughter mine, and go fetch a stool!
Olga (muttering) Do this. Do that. That be all I ever does.

Olga exits grumpily

Ogre’s Wife Now, just cos my dearest daughter mine’s of an age with you, dearie, I’ll let you stay.

Olga returns with a stool and stands, uncertain what to do

Olga What you be wanting with this?
Ogre’s Wife Give it to the girlie, daughter mine, while I fetches a bowl of bread and milk.

She exits

Olga thrusts the stool at Molly. Molly tries to take it, but Olga won’t let go. There’s a brief tug-of-war, and then they stand staring at each other, each holding the stool, until the Ogre’s wife returns with a bowl and spoon. Olga lets go and Molly smiles triumphantly. Olga huffs

from Molly Whuppie & The Double-faced Ogre

259 The Moorings, Dalgety Bay, Fife, KY11 9GX.
Tel: (01383) 825737 E-mail: enquiries@spotlightpublications.com