Note: This piece is designed to be read by a narrator, as a sort of mummer’s play. My local grove has had good luck with this sort of production, as the actors can concentrate on acting, rather than reading or trying to remember their lines.
Cast:
Lugh
Porter
King
Others
Narrator
(Opening: King seated on chair, others standing around, Porter at “door”.)
Narrator: Once long ago in Ireland, Nuada the King was holding a great feast at Tara, and all who wished to come could eat and drink their fill outside; but only the King’s special company could enter the hall. So when a strange young man came up to the entrance, the King’s porter asked him who he was.
(Lugh enters from outside, approaches Porter, mimes stating his name. All the following dialogue is read by the narrator.)
“I am Lugh, son of Cian of the Tuatha de Danaan, and of Eithlinn, daughter of Balor, King of the Formor,” said the young man.
“What are you skilled in?” asked the porter. “For no one without an art comes into Tara.”
“Question me,” said Lugh. “I am a carpenter.” — “We have one already,” said the porter.
“I am a smith.” — “We have one of those, too.”
“I am a champion.” — “We have the best in Ireland.”
“I am a harper.” — “We have that as well.”
“I am a poet.” — “We have no shortage.”
“I am a storyteller.” — “We are well equipped.”
“I am a druid.” — “So are many here.”
“I am a physician.” — “Dian Chect is the best in the world.”
“I am a cup-bearer.” — “We have nine, and need no more.”
“I am a bronze-smith.” — “We have no need of one.”
“Well, then,” said Lugh, “go and ask the King if anyone here can do all these things, and if someone can, I will not come into Tara.”
The porter went to the King. (Porter goes to King.) “There is a young man at the door,” he said, “who should be called Ildánach, the Master of all Arts, for everything the people of your company can do, he can do also.”
“Try him with the chess-board,” said the King. So the porter took the chess-board out. (Porter takes chessboard to Lugh, others follow, mime playing several games.) Lugh won every game. And when the King heard this, he said, “Let him come in, for the like of him never came to Tara before.”
So Lugh came into the hall and sat down in the Seat of Knowledge. (Lugh enters, sits.) He met challenges, and he played the three kinds of music on the King’s harp. (Lugh mimes playing harp, while others laugh, weep, and almost fall asleep.) And at last the Tuatha made him king in Nuada’s place for thirteen days. (King changes seats with Lugh.) But that is a story for another day.
