The Fool

Description

FOOL, a Court Jester, is running through the streets trying to find his best friend LUCIEN. Yesterday, the KING introduced his new wife ELIZABETH to his court, whom FOOL recognised as LUCIEN's wife. LUCIEN has been fighting in the KING's war and loves ELIZABETH dearly. Something isn't right. Luckily FOOL has his trusty dog CRAB to look for clues and get to the bottom of this. They bump into MAURICE, the FOOL's nemesis, who flaunts the rumour that FOOL will be fired after his performance tonight because the KING finds his performances boring.

MAURICE A piece of advice, tell him what he wants to hear.

The pressure is on. They rush over to the armies office to see if they have any news on LUCIEN. A KNIGHT is reluctant to give any news on the war until FOOL shows them a letter from the KING wanting LUCIEN to return home early.

KNIGHT He should have come home when he was asked, the next orders sent him and the men he was so loyal to to their deaths.

As the FOOL goes past the KING's court, he hears ELIZABETH crying "Why did you send him to die?" FOOL and CRAB put their clues together and realise that the KING sent LUCIEN to die on purpose.

FOOL We need to tell the Kings what a horrid man he is!

CRAB It would be wiser to tell it to him in what I like to call a 'Sneaky Truth' - sneak the truth into a story.

Montage of FOOL & CRAB jamming the best routine they'll ever perform. They're ready! As they go to the KING's court they see PRINCESS LILY, the KING's daughter, who confirms MAURICE's rumour. Bummer. The FOOL invites LILY to perform with him for what seems to be his last performance. She accepts.As they're about to perform in front of the KING, MAURICE slithers his way towards FOOL reminding him the last time someone told the 'truth' they got beheaded. Gulp. FOOL enters the Kings court and abandons his plan, instead performing a lukewarm routine attempting to inflate the KING's ego. As the KING is about to announce FOOL's departure, LILY interjects begging to see one last performance. The KING agrees. FOOL invites LILY to perform an awe inspiring tale of the 'Rich & Poor man', where the Rich Man steals a ewe (performed by LILY) from the Poor Man. The KING interrupts FOOL furious at the injustice.

FOOL ... My Lordship you are the Rich man.

The KING, taken aback, swallows his pride and accepts what FOOL has said. He publicly announces his short comings and promotes FOOL in his court.

Biblical Connection

I’m adapting Nathan’s rebuke of Kind David from 2 Samuel 12. I can only imagine Nathan’s emotional journey on his way to tell King David of his sins; heaviness, fear and foolishness while holding at the same time a sense of duty towards God. It’s in this tension that I want to create a human journey where FOOL speaks up to the KING. A key thing I wanted to establish is motivation and raise the stakes. By making Nathan best friends with Uriah, FOOL is given a deep personal reason propelling him to seek for truth, to overcome his fears and stand up to the KING. In the same vain when the KING sees his daughter LILY performing as a little ewe he is triggered and reacts in fury. From my Commedia dell Arte training I’ve always been fascinated by the role of the comedic actor and how they make a fool of themselves, sacrificing their dignity for the entertainment of the spectator. I believe by making Nathan a Court jester gives a great entry point for the contemporary audience to explore the themes of comedy, foolishness and justice.