Prince Ugly

About the Play

Flexible ensemble cast. Unit set. About 40 minutes.

Synopsis

The story seems familiar at first. A new baby is born to the King and Queen, and a gala reception is held. But somehow the invitation intended for the sorceress, Lady Rebecca of Steppington, fails to arrive. Angry at being slighted, Lady Rebecca shows up anyway and curses the baby. Only this baby is a boy, and this curse is different. Prince William will be the ugliest child on the face of the earth--so ugly that children run from him and even adults look away. The only way the curse can be broken is for Prince William to make one real friend. But how can he, when children run from him?

At first, no one tells the Prince about the curse. But Megan (the "maid of all work" and the only one in the palace who really understands Prince William) finally persuades his parents to tell him the truth. For a moment he's devastated, but then he realizes that now at least he has hope. If he can just make a friend, the curse will be broken.

After a few false starts, Prince William comes up with a plan. Covering his face, first with a paper bag and later with a mask, he is able to play with other children for the first time. But his elevated status, along with a strong dose of trying to hard, still keep him from his goal of true friendship. Finally the King offers a huge reward for anyone who makes friends with the Prince. Hundreds of children come, but it still doesn't work.

Meanwhile the palace is all in an uproar because someone has been stealing food from the kitchens, and Maurice (the temperamental palace chef who is the only one in the kingdom who can cook food that the King can eat) is threatening to quit. To placate him, the King declares that the culprit, if caught, will be banished. When it finally turns out that the theif is Megan (she's just taking leftovers to feed her seven children), Prince William can't bear to see her banished. He takes the rap himself.

Instantly there's a thunderclap and Lady Rebecca appears to announce that the curse is over. By caring more about someone else than about himself, Prince William has demonstrated true friendship.

Prince Ugly is also available in a musical version, with an expanded cast. CLICK HERE for information.

Read an Excerpt

To read the beginning of Prince Ugly as a PDF, CLICK HERE.

If you are unable to read PDF files, CLICK HERE to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

HOW TO ORDER

Prince Ugly is licensed by Brooklyn Publishers. To order a perusal copy or performance rights, call them toll free at (888)-473-8521 or visit their website.