“The Emperor’s New Clothes”
Adapted for the Stage by
Kathleen Lockwood
About the Play: This version of the old children’s story was adapted for children with Hearing Impairment. All performers spoke in American Sign Language, while Hearing narrators performed the voices. This went over very well and provided twice as many participation opportunities.
The Characters:
The Emperor
The Empress
The Court Jester
The Court Page
The Court Herald
The Fat Prime Minister
Kiddingyou: A fake weaver
Metoo: His partner
Various extras as pages, courtiers, citizens
The Scenes:
ACT I
Scene 1: The Emperor’s dressing room
Scene 2: A road in the empire
Scene 3: The Emperor’s dressing room
ACT II
Scene 1: The Royal Weaving room
Scene 2: The Emperor’s dressing room
Scene 3: Parade at the Royal Palace
The Setting: Open staging with colorful large props, like a loom and a big trunk and some parade acts. Costumes are standard Fairy Tale.
Time: Days of long ago
Place: Great Empire of Noodle
From the Play:
From Act 1, Scene 2…..
The false weavers place the invisible cloak across the Emperor’s shoulders, and pretend to trim, pin and fit the magic cloth. The empress helps them.
Metoo: Me too! (He forgets he is holding a cloak. Kiddingyou smacks him. He holds out his arms.)
Emperor: (angry) Well, it’s getting late! (He looks around) Where are the robes? Where is the cloak? (Everyone looks scared)
Kiddingyou: (quickly) Here we are, Sire. (He starts putting the invisible robe over the Emperor’s head) I know you are speechless, Sire, at the beauty of your new robe.
Empress: (runs over to help Kiddingyou) Yes, and you will look handsome with the gold and silver threads all over the robe.
Emperor: (struggles at first, then just looks confused and miserable) But…wait…I don’t see…I mean…is this the robe?
Fat Prime Minister: Ah, your Highness, how the diamonds and rubies sparkle along each fold!
Emperor: Gold and silver threads? Diamonds and rubies?
Everyone: Oh yes, Sire! You look beautiful! How royal!
Emperor: It looks good? Very well, then! ( He stands, looking down at his underwear, slowly shaking his head)
Kiddingyou: It is the best weaving I have ever done, Sire.
Metoo: Me too!
Emperor: It’s so light, I feel as though I had nothing on but my underwear. (Everyone giggles) Let’s go! My people are waiting to see the parade. (The Emperor takes the Empress’ arm and waits for the pages to start the parade).
