Androcles and the Lion
Published by Lazy Bees Scripts
A traditional tale told in rhyming couplets.
Playing time: about ten minutes.
A shepherd helps an injured lion. Later he is arrested for being a Christian and taken to the arena to be eaten by lions. Lots of puns and a happy ending.
Wildlife drawn by Simon Bond
Characters:
Androcles
Androcles's Mother
A (talking) Lion
Emperor Nero
Empress Poppaea
Two Soldiers
Narrator
Slaves, Soldiers, Christians (and possibly more Lions) may be added.
Extract from script:
Androcles: The sheep are fine. There is no danger.
Do you expect some treacherous stranger?
Mother: I think your mind is quite besotted.
What if a lion or leopard is spotted?
Androcles: A leopard is always spotted, mother dear.
Mother: You fool! Stop drivelling! Get out of here!
This script has been performed in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Norway, Austria and Thailand, as well as in several locations in the U.K.