Return to Zenda! (stage play) - Prologue. Introduction and Dramatis Personae

The Prisoner of Zenda, an 1894 adventure novel by Anthony Hope, was adapted numerous times for stage and film. In this parody, most of the characters are gay but don't realize they are.

In the cast of eight, several actors play multiple roles.

CAST:

Woman 1: Rose, wife of Robert Rassendyll

Servant Girl

Group 2 in pre-coronation crowd scene

Helga

Guard 1 (Detchard)

Woman 2: Flavia, the King’s cousin, princess of Ruritania

Woman in crowd

Woman 3: Old French Woman

Old Woman

Group 1 in pre-coronation scene

Messenger Girl

Guard 2 (Bersonin)

Man 1: Rudolf Rassendyll, English, distant cousin of King Rudolf V of Ruritania

Man 2: Duke Michael (“Black Michael”), evil pretender /Antoinette de Mauban, his

secret drag identity, presumed by all but Hentzau to be Michael’s mistress

Man in crowd -- Group 1 in pre-coronation scene

Man 3: Count Fritz von Tarlenheim, friend of the King

Man 4: Colonel Sapt, advisor to the King (German accent)

Man 5: Robert, brother of Rudolf Rassendyll

Sean Connery-esque Man

Bertram Bertrand, Rudolf’s friend in Paris

Cardinal

King’s Secretary

Rupert Hentzau, Duke Michael’s henchman

The role of King Rudolf V of Ruritania is played by a mannequin.