Lions Of England
David Weir
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 4
Duration: 40 - 45 mins approx
David Weir | Drama | One Act | 2m, 2f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
Will Foster and his girlfriend Sandra Simms wait in a TV green room. Will is to receive the ‘Lion of England’ award for bravery for rescuing Sandra and her pupils from a school fire. He is also going to propose to her on live TV immediately after the Prime Minister gives him the award. And fame-obsessed Sandra is going to accept the hand of the man who saved her life.
In the frenetic panic of a live TV broadcast, Will is a beacon of calm, zen-like in the face of the hyperactivity around him. But as he practices his scene with researcher, Eve, it becomes clear that Will harbours some secret, which makes Eve nervous about both his going out on stage, and her future.
When Dominic, the producer, discovers that Will has a criminal record he knew nothing about, Eve has to reveal that Will is not Will's real name… this is the notorious Roy Banks, the boy who murdered his mother and whose picture became a national icon of evil 30 years earlier. Dominic knows they can't send this man out to pick up an award. Eve argues that he has done his time and redeemed himself.
With the clock running down, and with Sandra desperate for fame (so desperate indeed, it turns out, that she herself set the fire in her school), Dominic changes the story to make her the hero, leaving Will and Eve alone backstage to realise that an act of heroism isn't enough redemption
And then Will discovers that Eve, who has flirted with him, whom he has trusted to keep his secret and give him his redemption, has sold his story to a tabloid newspaper to get herself a new job away from this TV hell.
Will is a man who has lost his chance of a wife, his hero award and his hope that he might, at last, have atoned for his childish sins. As he advances on Eve with the ‘Lion of England’ award, the ideal blunt instrument, in his raised hand, the lights black out.
Applying for and paying royalties
To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.
To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.
More information
If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Frequently asked questions
Can we try before we buy?
Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.
All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.
Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.
Do we need a Licence To Perform?
The simple answer is, yes.
Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.
Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?
When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.
Need help?
Contact us
If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.
Established for over 25 years
Unearthing future talent
Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.
We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.
