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Assipattle, a simple farmer’s son, dreams of becoming a hero, but he’s bullied by his older brother Fingal. He’s defended by his sister Freya, and when she becomes maid to Princess Gemdelovely, Assipattle falls in love with the Princess. Then the kingdom is threatened by a ferocious sea-monster, the Stoorworm. Old King Magnus and his councillors have to find a plan to get rid of the creature. Meanwhile, Queen Beatris is plotting to remove the Princess from the court with the help of Murdo the Sorcerer.

Assipattle And The Stoorworm

Ron Nicol

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 13

Duration: 40-45 mins approx

Ron Nicol | Drama | One Act | 7m, 4f

Short synopsis

Assipattle, a simple farmer’s son, dreams of becoming a hero, but is bullied by his older brother Fingal. When his sister Freya becomes maid to Princess Gemdelovely, Assipattle falls in love with the princess. The kingdom is threatened by a ferocious sea-monster, the Stoorworm, and Queen Beatris and Murdo the Sorcerer plot to have the princess sacrificed to the creature. Assipattle determines to rescue her.

Assipattle, a simple farmer’s son, dreams of becoming a hero, but he’s bullied by his older brother Fingal. He’s defended by his sister Freya, and when she becomes maid to Princess Gemdelovely, Assipattle falls in love with the Princess. Then the kingdom is threatened by a ferocious sea-monster, the Stoorworm. Old King Magnus and his councillors have to find a plan to get rid of the creature. Meanwhile, Queen Beatris is plotting to remove the Princess from the court with the help of Murdo the Sorcerer.

Murdo suggests that Gemdelovely should be sacrificed to the creature, which Assipattle determines to prevent. He takes a pot of hot coals and his father’s horse Go-Swift, and rides to the coast. He steals a boat, but is swallowed by the Stoorworm, using the hot coals to kill the monster and escape alive. He’s rewarded with a famous sword by King Magnus, and then Freya reveals the plot against the Princess. Murdo tries to escape, but comes face to face with Assipattle. Murdo is defeated, Beitris is imprisoned, and Assipattle marries Princess Gemdelovely.

Though written with youth groups in mind, the play has been performed by mixed groups of young people and adults, and by adults alone.

7m, 4f + Courtiers/Servants (optional extras)
Some parts can be doubled

  • Assipattle (m)
  • Fingal, his older brother (m)
  • Freya, his sister (f)
  • Mother (f)
  • Father (m)
  • King Magnus (m)
  • Princess Gemdelovely (f)
  • Queen Beitris, her stepmother (f)
  • The Bailie (m)
  • The Minister (m)
  • Murdo the Sorcerer (m)

Servants (non-speaking) (m/f)
Courtiers and Citizens may be used in the court and outdoor scenes if desired

“Assipattle and the Stoorworm” was first produced by
Glenrothes Theatre Company in Newcastle Community School, Glenrothes, Fife in
November 2004.

‘…this traditional Scottish folk story was a big hit …’ (Glenrothes Gazette)

‘thoroughly enjoyable’ (Scottish Community Drama Association ‘Scene’ magazine)

Type
Free

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Assipattle And The Stoorworm

Free
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