Spread the Love: Wenceslas by Lindsay Price

This week on Spread the Love, Lindsay talks about Wenceslas, a Christmas play.

Transcript

Welcome to Spread the Love where we continue Christmas month this week with Wenceslas. Wenceslas, is a theatrical version of the traditional Christmas carol: “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen….” The carol’s a rather uplifting tale of man helping his fellow man regardless of class or wealth. And that’s exactly what drew me to write a play about it.

The story focuses on two couples: King Wenceslas and his materialistic wife Queen Maryanne and poor Thomas who has nothing to give but love to his sick wife Kathyrnne. The themes touch on the true meaning of Christmas and relationships and this is right around where we reach the sticking point with the play.

Wenceslas is not really a children’s play so it’s not appropriate for the little ones. And it’s too long for competition so that’s out. Who will perform you Wenceslas, who?

Let me lay out the good: It has a big cast with room to grow. It has singing and movement so there’s variety in tone and you can use a wide variety of actor. It has the most lovely message. It is at heart, a true Christmas tale. If you’re looking for a secular play with a message, I would highly recommend this for some church groups for example, give Wenceslas a read. That’s it for Spread the Love.