Lord Feathertop

One-Acts 20

By: Albert T. Viola
Cast: 3 M, 4 F, 1 flexible, opt. extras
Performance Time: Approximately 30-45 minutes, 34 pgs.

CLASSIC. Adapted from the short story “Feathertop” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Determined to save her corn crop, Mother Rigby, a witch, constructs a human-looking scarecrow and becomes so impressed with her creation, she decides to bring it to life to live among “other men of straw and empty heads who go bustling about the world.” Mother Rigby names her new son, Lord Feathertop, and sends him to the house of Justice Merton. There, Feathertop meets the Justice’s daughter, Rachel, and the two fall in love at first sight. But when Feathertop views himself in a parlor mirror, he sees not a gentleman but a scarecrow. Horrified at seeing his true self, Feathertop no longer wants to live and returns home to Mother Rigby, where he breaks the magical pipe that gives him life. Easy to stage, this show is perfect for Halloween.

Freeviews: To read play excerpts click here.

About the Story: To read more about the story click here.

Albert T. Viola (1942-2009) was an award-winning actor and playwright who appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in television and motion pictures. Mr. Viola also served as a faculty fellow in Mathey College at Princeton University.