Orvin - Champion Of Champions: Synopsis

Cast: 15 male / 6 female (plus chorus / band / assorted extras)
Running time (approximate): 1 hour and 35 minutes - not including the interval.
Availability: Orvin - Champion Of Champions is available for both professional and amateur production.
Acting edition: Published by Faber.

Synopsis by Alan Ayckbourn

Characters

Ulmar (A warrior of Sollistis)
Orvin (His squire)
King Albern (Elderly ruler of Varne)
Princess Delcine (Daughter of Albern)
Prince Dedrick (Delcine's brother)
Lord Varian (Delcine's lover)
Ola (Delcine's maid, later in love with Orvin)
Skeets (Dedrick's henchman)
Walmund (A warrior of Varne)
Archbishop
Courtier
Mayor of Zeva
The Celesital Chorus - comprising:
Asphodel; Berengaria; Calista; Disa; Elva; Flavia; Griswold; Hilliard; Ingmar; Junius; Kenrick; Lathrop
Various courtiers, soldiers, citizens, etc.
The play begins with a sword fight between Ulmar of Sollistis and Walmund of the Varne. At the end of the battle only Ulmar and Walmund are left standing. Walmund, already fatally injured, is over-powered by Ulmar, however Ulmar is interrupted by his clumsy squire, Orvin, he looses his concentration and is killed by Walmund who also then dies from his injuries.

The Gods, the musical narrators of the play, condemn Orvin, who is left alone on the battlefield alone on the battlefield, for disrupting their legend. After a brief discussion it is decided that Orvin should take Ulmar’s place as the victorious warrior.

While Orvin is being carried in triumph to Presupposia, Prince Dedrick and his servant Skeets are plotting to prevent the arranged marriage of his beautiful sister Delcine and Ulmar as this would make her Queen and therefore destroy his chance of ever becoming King. His scheming is made easier by his sister’s love for another man, the vain Lord Varian.

Orvin, under the pretence of being his master Ulmar, rides to the castle to meet the Princess for the first time, but after taking one look at him she almost faints with disgust. The two are left alone and continue to exchange insults until Delcine, agitated and offended, leaves to persuade her father he is not a suitable husband. While she is gone Orvin become acquainted with her maid, Ola. They soon become friends but romantic tension between the pair is clearly present.

Delcine returns and explains that her father has ordered her to marry Ulmar, considering the consequence of disobeying this command being death she reluctantly obliges. Orvin's mind remains on Ola as Delcine desperately attempts to convince Orvin to woo her, as tradition dictates should happen. Once realising he has little interest in her she takes to wooing herself with an amusing song about her own beauty at the end of which she kisses Orvin who, still unimpressed, is secretly committing himself to winning Ola, nevertheless Lord Varian sees the kiss and challenges Orvin, Orvin refuses and continues to be comically rude to the demanding Princess.

A brief but intense meeting between Ola and Orvin follows but is sadly interrupted by his dictated wedding to Delcine. At the wedding Orvin becomes inappropriately drunk. Ola offers to care for him, however Varian goes in pursuit of the couple and is convinced that Orvin is betraying Delcine. He promptly notifies Dedrick, and once again Orvin is challenged to a duel.

Shortly after this Delcine finds out about her brothers plan to kill both Orvin and Varian after enlightening them, a series of interesting and immoral plots are concocted by each of the different characters.

Consequently an immense duel takes place and bodies soon being to mount. Entirely through luck Orvin is victorious and once again labelled the hero, this time however it is through he own personal achievement. Orvin is crowned king with his new wife Ola as his Queen and the couple live happily ever after.

Copyright: Haydonning Ltd. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.