PRODUCTION NOTES
The Ballad of Robin Hood is designed to be played as follows.
Set in the ill-defined past, a band or troupe of travelling players arrives in a village or a town to perform their new play St George and the Dragon. After some sharp exchanges with the crowd they start. However, the crowd’s displeasure forces the troupe to relent and perform the old favourite The Ballad of Robin Hood.
I have used old-fashioned English, thees and thous, to lend an air of authenticity. However, if your actors struggle with understanding, please feel at liberty to replace old English with modern.
The play may be modified to suit the location of the performance. Names of towns or people which can be altered are written in italics.
Because the basis of the play is that a travelling band of actors arrive in a town/village to perform, it is quite appropriate to have actors playing several roles except Robin and St George should be played by the same actor as should the trees. If you have a large cast then allocate separate parts but if your cast is limited in size, make use of simple props to suggest each part – a hat for Will Scarlet, a habit and a cushion for Friar Tuck. There is opportunity for humour in the sharing of roles!
Again, because this is a travelling band of players, scenery can be kept to a minimum – just enough to suggest the scene. For example, the two trees will suggest a forest! You need a simple bridge on which Robin and Little John quarrel and the stream could be a sheet of blue paper.
The ‘members of the audience’ should sit in the audience and shout out their lines at the appropriate time. They should dress as members of the audience, not in period costume and they should stay in the audience and not join the players on stage (until the end when the cast is applauded.)
The first tale which I’ll gladly give
Tells how young Robin came to live
In Sherwood, on the forest floor
Because he was outside the law.
Let’s go to
It’s me, don’t run, don’t try to hide
I’m going to bleed you townsfolk dry!
My funds are getting rather low
I need some help with my cash-flow.
So I’ve brought in a little tax
Just put your cash in these ‘ere sacks!
Oh sir, don’t ask for any more
We’ve given lots to you before
How dare you! My, you’ve got some cheek
SHERIFF
Be quiet dog, I am your Lord
Dig deep or you shall feel my sword!
O Master, please don’t be so cruel
And please don’t listen to this fool
We really can’t afford to pay….
Can you come back another day?
Come back!? Pray tell me what it is you see
That makes you think you can jest with me?
I’ll have your liver, heart and spleen
For I’m the Sheriff and I’m real mean (loud boos from the crowd, the peasants hand over money) (enter Robin)
All hail and what a pleasant day!
Why, Sheriff, what’s your business, pray?
Are these poor folk annoying you?
No sir that is quite untrue!
And who sir, are you? What’s your game?
Tell me, do you have a name?
Robert of Loxley, I’m rather grand
Because, dear Sheriff, I own this land
‘Twas given to me by our dear King.
Now, Sheriff, here’s a pretty thing
It seems you’re rather weighted down
With sacks of money, pounds and pounds!
Oh sir he took,….
………………………….. be silent cur!
I think I know what’s happening sir,
The Sheriff has come here today
With all these funds.. to give away
(Spluttering with indignation) What! … me.. give…. Are you insane?
Me.. the Sheriff, …. Be humane?
Guards, this earl is off his head!
What if an accident left him dead? (Soldiers move menacingly towards Robin)
Sir, you ‘eard the guv’nor, move
Or on your head we’ll make a groove
Yeah, beat it Loxley, we’re in charge
Can I hit ‘im now please Sarge?!
Scoundrels, bullies, through and through
You’ve bitten off more than you can chew!
My swordsmanship is pretty good
I warn you, is that understood?
And Robin drew his trusty sword
His face set grim, my, he was hard!
His power so strong, the soldiers said..
Robin should advance towards the soldiers and engage in a sword fight with both – which Robin wins!
(together) We’ve had enough
… and then they fled. (Soldiers run away)
The Sheriff, seeing he had lost the day
Threw down the loot and stalked away (Sheriff leaves)
The villagers were thrilled to bits
And Robin was their favourite.
But back in
Was busy hatching an evil plan.