(Clown enters followed by dancers and musician. Dancers disperse to sides of arena.) Clown (Enter King.) King (Clown smacks King on bottom with sword) Clown (Team forms into line.) Clown (Dance commences and at end musician is killed and dancers flee into crowd. Clown comes forward and trips over body) The Dance CommencesClown: King: (Clown points at body) Clown King Clown (Each dancer comes into open declaring his Innocence and accusing others with much venom. Note the dancers are numbered starting from the King no. 1 in a clockwise direction) 3rd Dancer 4th Dancer 6th Dancer 5th Dancer 2nd Dancer (Walks towards King shaping up for a fight.) Our King has done this deed and lays the blame on me. (They fight and rest of team separate them.) (General low laughter as dancers stand and disperse. Dancer acting as horse quietly leaves to collect sign and Doctor.) King: Clown Let’s read the will! (Dancers line up and kneel behind body whilst expressing agreement. Clown gives sword to male member of the audience.)
Dancers
We’ll read the will! Aye, the will! The will! etc (Clown standing at head of body takes the will, a toilet roll, from body’s pocket. Places roll in hands of body, using his fingers as roll holder, and pulls out a long length.)
Clown
There was an old woman of Gloucester Who.. |
King
No, No That must be wrong. Read it aright (Clown points up, all dancers look up)
Clown
God in Heaven take my soul (Clown points to ground, all dancers look down.)
Graveyard take my bones And that man there (pointing) that holds my sword, Take my wife and bairns!
Dancers: (Enter doctor on horse, dismounts.) Doctor: (All stand to attention saluting, body sits up waving flag. Doctor: (Body kicks doctor in bottom. Doctor turns round to examine feet Doctor: (Body blows pill into air, Doctor catches it in his hat.) King: (Clown stands at feet of body, dancers in line to rear pointing swords at body. Body: (Dance commences, Clown and Doctor collect fee. When lock Is tied |
As performed by Monkseaton Morrismen, – 1981
Copyright of Monkseaton Morrismen and Folk Dance Club