Sleeping Beauty Version 2

SCENE ONE

THE PALACE THRONE ROOM

A crib is [USC] Music cue 2: Chorus. After song ends…Exit Chorus [SL]

Enter Sniffles [SR]

SNIFFLES: Hiya folks! Welcome to the royal palace of Slumberland. I’m Sniffles the court jester and whenever I shout how’s it going!? You all shout back smashing Sniffles, and I’ll tell you a joke. Okay? Let’s try it then. How’s it going? What sits in a pram and wobbles? A Jelly Baby! [laughs]

Enter Nursie [SL]

NURSIE: Cooee, Sniffles!

SNIFFLES: This is Nurse Penny Cillin the royal midwife.

NURSIE: The word midwife doesn’t do justice to the work I do, Sniffles. So, I’ve decided that from now on I’ll be known as ‘Paediatric Observation Officer’.

SNIFFLES: Paediatric Observation Officer? [spells out the acronym] P.O.O. Poo!?

NURSIE: [grimaces] Oooh, maybe I didn’t think that one through.

SNIFFLES: Have you been busy getting ready for the royal Christening, Nursie?

NURSIE: Yes, Sniffles. What with cooking, washing, ironing, and fetching this and that. I’ve hardly had time to poke my nose where it’s not wanted.

SNIFFLES: That makes a change.

NURSIE: [to audience] And for any men who might be interested. [pointing] And you are, I can tell. What’s your name? [man answers] Well…[man’s name]…you’ll be pleased to know I’m still single and available. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?

SNIFFLES: Not from where I’m standing it isn’t.

NURSIE: I’m one of the few ladies of a certain age, who’s still pure and untouched.

SNIFFLES: [aside] Pure ugly and nobody will touch her.

NURSIE: My generation believed in saving it for marriage. And at my age I’ve got a heck of lot saved up, I can tell you. So if any men would like to dip into my savings, come to my dressing-room after the show and form a queue behind Sniffles.

SNIFFLES: I’m not queuing up for you Nursie!

NURSIE: Okay, you can forget queuing and kiss me now! [grabs him]

SNIFFLES: [struggling to free himself] Nursie please, where’s your decorum!?

NURSIE: I haven’t seen that in ages, would you like to help me find it?

SNIFFLES: No, fear! [breaks free]

NURSIE: Wouldn’t you like to discover what womanly surprises I have up my sleeve?

SNIFFLES: It’s not what’s up your sleeve I’m worried about.

Enter King and Queen [SL] The Queen carries baby Aurora.

NURSIE: Good morning your majesties, I trust you both slept well?

KING: I slept like a baby, Nursie.

QUEEN: It’s all right for some. I’ve been up all night trying to get Aurora to sleep, and now I finally have I don’t want her waking. [to audience] So, please be quiet for the rest of the show. [places baby in crib]

NURSIE: I don’t think you need worry on that score, your majesty.

SNIFFLES: Not if this script’s anything to go by.

KING: By the way Nursie, we have a special surprise for you. Don’t we, Rosemary?

QUEEN: We certainly do, Basil.

NURSIE: A surprise! For moi? Whatever could it be?

KING: We know how lonely your life must be Nursie, living all alone in your little flat.

QUEEN: Especially during those long cold winter nights.

NURSIE: I’ll admit it would be nice to have some company.

KING: Which is why we’ve decided to give you a room here at the palace.

QUEEN: Where you can experience love and companionship with somebody special.

KING: Somebody you can cuddle and whisper sweet words to every night.

QUEEN: And whose tummy you can tickle and blow raspberries on.

NURSIE: It takes a woman to know a woman’s needs, your majesty.

KING: Are you ready to give it to Nursie, Sniffles?

SNIFFLES: Ready and willing your majesty.

NURSIE: O, you saucy thing, Sniffles!

QUEEN: Then let her have it right away.

SNIFFLES: Yes, your majesty.

NURSIE: Shouldn’t we go somewhere private first Sniffles?

SNIFFLES: No Nursie, their majesties insist I do it in their presence.

KING: We want to see your reaction when he takes it out and gives it to you Nursie.

NURSIE: It’s the reaction of the audience I’m worried about.

QUEEN: I’m sure they’ll enjoy seeing it too.

NURSIE: I doubt it, this is a family show.

KING: Hurry up and do it, Sniffles.

SNIFFLES: Yes, your majesty. [turns away and fumbles in his pocket]

NURSIE: [to audience] Cover your eyes, kids!

SNIFFLES: [hands Nursie small apron with ROYAL NANNY on it] Here you are Nursie.

NURSIE: What’s this?

QUEEN: It’s your new uniform.

NURSIE: [puzzled] Uniform?

QUEEN: We’d like you to become full-time live-in Nanny to Princess Aurora, Nursie.

NURSIE: You were talking about cuddling Aurora, and tickling her tummy every night?

KING: Of course!

QUEEN: Who did you think we were talking about?

NURSIE: Never mind.

KING: What do you say Nursie?

NURSIE: It’s a big commitment your majesty, I’ll have to think about it.

QUEEN: If you take the job, your room will be next to Sniffles.

NURSIE: When can I move in?

KING: Right away.

NURSIE: There is a connecting door I take it?

QUEEN: Yes, Nursie.

SNIFFLES: And you can take it that I’ll be boarding it up.