Sinbad the Sailor pantomime script

Codswallop & Nastase SINBAD THE SAILOR
By Dave Buchanan
A good old-fashioned adventure yarn based on one of the Arabian Nights stories.

"... shipwrecks, kidnaps and lots of fun and thrills. This will appeal to many clubs with all the traditional elements of pantomime but with a bit of Eastern promise." - Scene, February 2001

"He has created an exciting script with all the ingredients of the legendary tale, without going over the top financially. The script is rich in laughter and excitement as Sinbad tracks the nasty Nastase down to the Cave of Skulls and Temple of Oblivion." Amateur Stage, July 2001

"I would also like to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoyed the pantomime (Sinbad the Sailor). It was very well written and the production notes etc were very useful and equally important for a small group like ourselves adaptable to suit the smaller stage.( We have performed pantomimes by other authors such as John Morley which are very long and difficult to adapt to smaller stages). I also thought that the time spent on stage by the principle actors was extremely well balanced hence keeping all the cast happy, and more importantly the audience.
Thanks again for an excellent script and I look forward to performing more of your pantomimes in the future." - Mark Fisher (alias Codswallop), Frecheville Original Pantomime Society, Frecheville, Eckington, Sheffield. (Thanks to Frecheville OPS for the picture)

PLOT RESUME
The evil sorcerer Nastase steals the Jewel of Miracles from its owner, the Sultana of Istanbul. The rescue attempt ends in failure when Sinbad's ship the Argo is wrecked on the shores of Cyprus, and the Sultana's daughter Jasmin is abducted into the bargain. The story tells of Sinbad's efforts to defeat Nastase and then return the Sultana's jewel - and her daughter - to its rightful owner. Fun and thrills come thick and fast as Sinbad tracks Nasty down to the Cave of Skulls and the Temple of Oblivion.

CAST 4 MALE 5 FEMALE 5 M/F PARTS
Nastase (baddy) Sinbad (PB) Mrs Fatima Sinbad (Dame) Codswallop (Sorcerer's apprentice) Hassan & Mustapha (comedy duo) Sultana of Istanbul	Ali Ben Dover (Dame's admirer) Princess Jasmin (PG) Floribunda (spirit) Izzy the Wazir Suki & Yacqui (dancing girls)

5 MAIN SETS
Production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested. Magic tricks fully detailed.

SET PIECES
Magic tricks & comedy magic (a la Tommy Cooper)
Magic carpet scene
Dame's kitchen-galley scene on board ship
Special effects abound in the second act when Sinbad enters the Cave of Skulls and Temple of Oblivion in the style of Indiana Jones

Script Sample - Boarding the Argo

Enter, from opposite sides, Hassan and Mustapha

HASSAN Greetings, Musty, O person of bewildering brainlessness!
MUSTAPHA Coming, Hassan, from one of such devastating dumbness, that is rich!
HASSAN (produces a paper list) I have here the orders of the day from Sinbad. We are charged -
MUSTAPHA Well, I for one am innocent and I will tell the judge so!
HASSAN You, Mustapha, must have a brain smaller than a sparrow's egg! We are charged with a very important task. To ensure that no unauthorised personnel embark.
MUSTAPHA Pardon?
HASSAN Granted.
MUSTAPHA What is this about barking?
HASSAN Em - barking.
MUSTAPHA No you're not! You're speaking!
HASSAN I said - embarking.
MUSTAPHA Very good, Hassan. Are you wagging your tail too?
HASSAN I will explain it simply, Mustapha. For you are truly simple. Here is the list. There is the boat. Anyone whose name is not on it does not get on it!
MUSTAPHA Not on list - not on boat!
HASSAN Precisely. Now here comes our first customer.

Enter R, Fatima

HASSAN Your name, Madam?
FATIMA My name is Fatima, sunshine.
MUSTAPHA Fatima Sunshine. Hmm. No sorry. Not on the list.
FATIMA I'm Fatima Sinbad, you ninny!
HASSAN Ah, the famous chucker of javelins?
FATIMA No, but I'm very good at arm-wrestling. Would you like to try me?
MUSTAPHA No.
FATIMA I'm also Sinbad's mum, and the ship's cook.
HASSAN Pass!

Fatima walks up the gangplank. At the top, she turns and whistles. Ali Ben Dover appears R, laden with luggage, plus three other bearers. They board the ship to the amazement of Hassan and Mustapha

HASSAN She seems to have brought everything but the kitchen sink.

A servant appears with a sink and takes it on board

MUSTAPHA Well knock me down with a blooming feather!

Hassan takes out a feather and touches Mustapha with it. He falls down

Suki and Yacqui appear R

SUKI & YACQUI (waving) Hello, boys!
HASSAN & MUSTAPHA (waving back) Hello, girls!

The girls slink seductively over

SUKI We have a little favour to ask.
HASSAN Anything, my little lotus blossom.
YACQUI Well I suppose it's really quite a big favour.
MUSTAPHA Your wish is my command, my little pomegranate.
SUKI We would like to go on board -
YACQUI - and sail with Sinbad.
SUKI We're fed up of being dancing girls.
YACQUI We want to travel -
SUKI- broaden our vistas -
YACQUI - use our assets in all sorts of ways -
HASSAN & MUSTAPHA Ooh!
SUKI You can see our credentials, if you like!
MUSTAPHA Oh, I can see them already!
YACQUI Well, what do you think?
HASSAN Gorgeous!
MUSTAPHA Positively breath-taking!
SUKI Of our plans, you silly boys!
HASSAN(aside, to Mustapha) Are their names on the list?
MUSTAPHA (looks, then gulps) No!
HASSAN Oh my goodness gracious me!
YACQUI Of course, if it's too much trouble -
HASSAN No problemo, my little passion fruit.

Hassan and Mustapha look at each other, then nod

HASSAN & MUSTAPHA Pass!

from Sinbad the Sailor, Act 2 Scene 3

Our thanks to Frecheville Original Pantomime Society of Eckington, Sheffield, for the picture from their February 2002 production.

Script details

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