Queen of the Dark Island

Corstorphine Drama Group
The 1998 Pantomime

Queen of the Dark Island
by Sheila Perry

The Corstorphine Youth Centre production, December 1998
Characters:
Slimeweed, an evil creature
Slither, his evil sidekick
Wibble and Wobble, Slimeweed's pet killer jellyfish
Queen Sharksfinia, the Queen of the Dark Island
Rubber-legs, evil octopus
A sea monster
Zoa, a mysterious coral sprite
Zoa's sister Zula
Grumpy Crab
King Fergus Lionstooth
2 palace guards: Braveheart and Yellowbelly
Palace servants Jack and Jill
King Fergus's daughter's: Celia, Delia, Annabel, Christabel, Georgina

Settings:
Evil castle on the Dark Island
Beach on the mainland
Inside the royal palace
Under the sea
In a boat
The sea monster's cave

Act 1
Scene 1
evil castle on the Dark Island
(Slimeweed on stage eating something revolting.
Enter Wibble and Wobble through audience with Slither as a captive.)

Wibble Look what we found, master!

Wobble Look what the tide washed up!

Wibble A spy!

Wobble A troublemaker.

(They push Slither forward to land at Slimeweed's feet. Slimeweed gets up and looks down at him.)

Slimeweed A troublemaker, certainly, but this is my old friend Slither. My old partner in evil and mayhem beneath the seas. Tormentor of mermaids, hunter of dolphins, poisoner of the waves...

(He helps Slither up)

Slither Thanks for the welcome, old friend. I could have done without meeting those two, though (indicates Wibble and Wobble)

Slimeweed Ah, my favourite jellyfish, Wibble and Wobble. I hope they weren't too rough with you. They sometimes get carried away.

Slither (aside) So they should be. On a plate.

(The jellyfish start to leave. Slimeweed calls them back)

Slimeweed Wait a bit, there's work for you two.

Wibble How may we be of service?

Wobble Oh mighty leader?

Slimeweed Queen Sharksfinia has a particularly nasty plan that you can help with. I think you'll like it. Not that it matters whether you like or not, because if you don't obey orders you'll be served up with ice-cream for my pet sea-monster's birthday next Tuesday.

(Slimeweed and Slither laugh)

Slimeweed (to Slither) Now I come to think of it, you might be able to help too. In fact, if you won't help, then you'll be the icing on the birthday cake.

(Slither backs away slowly and bumps into Queen Sharksfinia as she enters. She pushes him out of the way impatiently.)

Queen S Take this intruder away, Wibble and Wobble, and throw him to the sea monster.

(Wibble and Wobble advance on Slither, but Slimeweed stops them.)

Slimeweed Your Majesty, may I introduce my old friend and associate, Slither, who has many years of experience in the tormenting, torturing and poisoning trades? He has come to offer his services.

Queen S I think I have all the slimy sea creatures I need around here.

Slimeweed But he has special skills and a complete lack of scruples, Your Majesty.

Queen S What special skills?

Slimeweed He can cause ships to run aground by imitating both foghorns and lighthouses, pollute the sea for a hundred leagues all around, tie mermaids' tails together, wrestle with octopuses..(Slither starts to look a bit doubtful)

Queen S Oh, all right, he can have a week's trial. Then we'll throw him to the sea monster....Why are we wasting time on him anyway? (she turns to Wibble and Wobble) Do you know that beach on the mainland? The one where the grumpy old crab lives?

Wibble Yes, of course, your Majesty.

Wobble Like the back of my tentacles, your Majesty.

Queen S Five princesses have been dancing there every night. I've seen them. Go and catch them, and bring them here.

Wibble Of course, your Majesty.

Wobble You can trust us, your Majesty.

Queen S Of course I can't trust you. Who in their senses would trust a jellyfish? But you know what I'll do if you fail, don't you? Go on.

(Exit Wibble and Wobble)

Slimeweed May I make a suggestion, your Majesty ?

Queen S You may make one. I may not take any notice.

Slimeweed Send Slither to help them.

Queen S That's a good idea. They can keep an eye on each other and report back. Off you go, Slither.

Slither You can rely on me.

(Slither follows jellyfish)

Slimeweed I doubt it.

Queen S So, that's the first step in my plan. Once the princesses are here I'll send a message to their father, King Fergus Lionstooth, and get him here too. Then the sea monster will have a feast and there will be nothing to stop me crossing to the mainland and capturing the royal palace. Just think, Slimeweed. A real palace with gold and silver plates, and silk and satin curtains. And it will be all mine!

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Wibble	Look what we found, master!
Wobble	Look what the tide washed up!
Wibble	A spy!
Wobble	A troublemaker.
(They push Slither forward to land at Slimeweed's feet. Slimeweed gets up and looks down at him.)
Slimeweed	A troublemaker, certainly, but this is my old friend Slither. My old partner in evil and mayhem beneath the seas. Tormentor of mermaids, hunter of dolphins, poisoner of the waves...
(He helps Slither up)
Slither	Thanks for the welcome, old friend. I could have done without meeting those two, though (indicates Wibble and Wobble)
Slimeweed	Ah, my favourite jellyfish, Wibble and Wobble. I hope they weren't too rough with you. They sometimes get carried away.
Slither (aside)	So they should be. On a plate.
(The jellyfish start to leave. Slimeweed calls them back)
Slimeweed	Wait a bit, there's work for you two.
Wibble	How may we be of service?
Wobble	Oh mighty leader?
Slimeweed	Queen Sharksfinia has a particularly nasty plan that you can help with. I think you'll like it. Not that it matters whether you like or not, because if you don't obey orders you'll be served up with ice-cream for my pet sea-monster's birthday next Tuesday.
(Slimeweed and Slither laugh)
Slimeweed (to Slither)	Now I come to think of it, you might be able to help too. In fact, if you won't help, then you'll be the icing on the birthday cake.
(Slither backs away slowly and bumps into Queen Sharksfinia as she enters. She pushes him out of the way impatiently.)
Queen S	Take this intruder away, Wibble and Wobble, and throw him to the sea monster.
(Wibble and Wobble advance on Slither, but Slimeweed stops them.)
Slimeweed	Your Majesty, may I introduce my old friend and associate, Slither, who has many years of experience in the tormenting, torturing and poisoning trades? He has come to offer his services.
Queen S	I think I have all the slimy sea creatures I need around here.
Slimeweed	But he has special skills and a complete lack of scruples, Your Majesty.
Queen S	What special skills?
Slimeweed	He can cause ships to run aground by imitating both foghorns and lighthouses, pollute the sea for a hundred leagues all around, tie mermaids' tails together, wrestle with octopuses..(Slither starts to look a bit doubtful)
Queen S	Oh, all right, he can have a week's trial. Then we'll throw him to the sea monster....Why are we wasting time on him anyway? (she turns to Wibble and Wobble) Do you know that beach on the mainland? The one where the grumpy old crab lives?
Wibble	Yes, of course, your Majesty.
Wobble	Like the back of my tentacles, your Majesty.
Queen S	Five princesses have been dancing there every night. I've seen them. Go and catch them, and bring them here.
Wibble	Of course, your Majesty.
Wobble	You can trust us, your Majesty.
Queen S	Of course I can't trust you. Who in their senses would trust a jellyfish? But you know what I'll do if you fail, don't you? Go on.
(Exit Wibble and Wobble)
Slimeweed	May I make a suggestion, your Majesty ?
Queen S	You may make one. I may not take any notice.
Slimeweed	Send Slither to help them.
Queen S	That's a good idea. They can keep an eye on each other and report back. Off you go, Slither.
Slither	You can rely on me.
(Slither follows jellyfish)
Slimeweed	I doubt it.
Queen S	So, that's the first step in my plan. Once the princesses are here I'll send a message to their father, King Fergus Lionstooth, and get him here too. Then the sea monster will have a feast and there will be nothing to stop me crossing to the mainland and capturing the royal palace. Just think, Slimeweed. A real palace with gold and silver plates, and silk and satin curtains. And it will be all mine!