Heroes of Troy

by Neil Richards

Music Workshop

Heroes Of Troy Cast List

Cast Not In Order Of Appearance
Old Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Narrator
Young Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Greek Soldier

Greeks
King Menelaus . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Helen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agamemnon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Achilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odysseus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Penelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PalamedeS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Messenger
Officer 1
Officer 2
Boy
Brisius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ajax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Various . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Greek King
Wife To Menelaus
Brother Of Menelaus, Commander Of The Greek Army
Hero
Hero
Wife Of Odysseus
Greek Officer

A Servant Girl
Hero
Soldiers, Courtiers, Guards, Ladies-In-Waiting, Food-Tasters, Dancers, Soldiers Families

Trojans
King Priam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hecuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassandra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trojan Soldier 1
Trojan Soldier 2
Various . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trojan King
Trojan Queen
Son Of Priam And Hecuba
Pariss Sister
Hero (Pariss Brother)

Soldiers, Courtiers, Servants, Soldiers Families

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ACT 1
Scene 1: The Fields of Troy

which went on for ten years! Right now everybodys

still alive. Not a drop of blood has been spilt. So who
do we have here? On my left the Greeks. Key players
King Menelaus, their leader. Here Agamemnon, his
brother and top general. Getting stuck in down there
Palamedes, an important officer. On my right The
Trojans. Their king Priam. His wife Hecuba. Their
daughter Cassandraand son Paris. es
that started all this. And here Pariss girlfriend Helen.
Whos Greek. And actually married to old Menelaus
over there. You getting a sense of what might be the big
problem here? Hmm, I hope so. What about these fellas
in the special outfits? Well theyre the Heroes. Half man,
half God. Top dogs in the ancient world. For the Greeks
Achilles. And Odysseus. For the Trojans Priams
other son Hector. And thats the lot. Oh, I nearly forgot.

Darkness. A lone figure centre stage the Old Soldier lit by a single spot.
OLD SOLDIER

The Trojan War. Youve all heard of it, of course. The

famous Heroes Achilles, Odysseus, Hector.
woman everyone was fighting over the beautiful
Helen. The canny trick that won it in the end the
Trojan Horse. But what was the war really about? And
what was it really like? Well,
ou. ecause I
should know. I was there on the fields of Troy, all those
years ago

The Old Soldiers light out. Darkness, but now the sound of marching drums
and feet
SONG 1: DESTRUCTION
Lights up as from every part of the space, the whole cast as Greeks, Trojans and
Heroes converge on the centre. Brandishing spears and swords, jeering, singing, fierce,
warlike they wheel around each other, every soldier sizing up his/her opponent.
Finally, climactically, as the song reaches its last line the two sides lock horns in slowmo, blades thrust in attack, bodies twisted in combat as they FREEZE on the line

He reaches into the heart of the frozen tableau and drags a young soldier out by
the ear.
YOUNG SOLDIER Owwww!!!!
OLD SOLDIER

SONG: All the troops in the house go freeze!

In the frozen tableau, all the key cast can clearly be seen. Only one figure is moving
the Old Soldier who steps out of the centre of the action and walks around it
inspecting the frozen fighters. Each time he mentions a character or a group, they
wave, smile, bow, swagger of joke as appropriate to the audience.
OLD SOLDIER

(Carrying a clipboard which he ticks off.) Welcome to the

first second of the first minute of the first battle of a war

Meet me forty years ago. Still wet behind the ears.

A boy soldier in the court of King Menelaus. And ready
for adventure.

Old Soldier kicks Young Soldier back into his battle position.
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

Bit of discipline never harmed me. So how did this

all begin then? Well, like all wars it started over
something small that got out of hand. This one
started over breakfast

The battle unwinds in slo-mo, cast exiting, revealing

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Scene 2: The Court of King Menelaus

PARIS

A table centre, piled with breakfast. Various guards, ladies in waiting, servants,
food-tasters. A servant holds cards GREECE. COURT OF KING MENELAUS.
TWO YEARS EARLIER. (Old Soldier sits stage right watching throughout the
play.) At the table, old King Menelaus reads the Ancient Greek Times. Young Helen,
bored, plays with her food

KING MENELAUS Greece and Troy are old friends my boy. You are welcome
here. Now let me introduce my wife, Helen

KING MENELAUS I see olives are going up.

PARIS

HELEN

For the first time Helen and Paris see each other. Time stops. They stare openmouthed. The room freezes and Paris speaks to the audience:

Thats good.

KING MENELAUS But Taramasalatas down.

HELEN

PARIS (Continued) Your majesty.

Sunny?

KING MENELAUS Hope so. Got anything planned for today?

HELEN

KING MENELAUS My pretty queen must look her best!

PARIS

A fanfare sounds. Young Soldier enters.

YOUNG SOLDIER Your majesty! A Trojan ship has landed. Their prince
seeks an audience.
KING MENELAUS But of course! Send him in! (To elen) ont
on the wrong side of the Trojans. Do a lot of business
with the Trojans.
Young Soldier exits, and returns with Paris and his Bodyguards.

Paris sinks to his knees, kisses Menelauss ring.

KING MENELAUS Yes, yes

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The king, oblivious to anything going on between them, puts his arm round Paris.
KING MENELAUS Dont often get royal visitors you know. Stay as long as
you like, Paris. Well have fun!

Dont know. Bit of shopping perhaps.

YOUNG SOLDIER Your majestyI resent Paris, rince

Its her! The woman of my dreams! When I was young

the gods told me I would marry the most beautiful
woman in the world. And here she is. Trouble is shes
already married! What shall I do?!

The room unfreezes, and Paris plays nonchalant. He kneels to Helen and kisses
her ring.

Thats a shame.

KING MENELAUS Weather forecasts looking better.

HELEN

(to King Menelaus) My ship was blown off course.

I thank you for giving us shelter.

Troy!

Brilliant! Funs my middle name!

The King leads Paris off, followed by Young Soldier and Bodyguards. Old Soldier
steps forward.
OLD SOLDIER

Well fun is what they had.

As he speaks the King, Paris, Young Soldier and Bodyguards criss cross the stage,
laughing, joking, carrying tennis rackets, then golf clubs, then a football, goggles and
snorkel and towels etc etc Helen watches longingly and when Menelaus isnt
watching, Pariss gaze lingers on Helen: its clear theyre in love.
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

They got on like a house on fire. Days went by. Weeks.

A whole month. Paris and Menelaus were like old
friends. Until

A Messenger enters, bows to the King.

MESSENGER

Your highness.

PARIS (Continued) I think it is, isnt it?

He hands Menelaus a note.

HELEN

Yes. It is.

KING MENELAUS Dear oh dear. A crisis, in Athens. I shall have to go, cant
avoid it.

PARIS

Come with me to Troy. Live with me there. Be my wife.

HELEN

What about King Menelaus?

PARIS

Its me you really love isnt it?

PARIS

That is a shame.

Paris looks at Helen and Helen looks at Paris. Menelaus doesnt notice.
PARIS (Continued) How long will you be gone?
KING MENELAUS Two weeks. Three at the most. Helen will look after you
wont you my dear?
HELEN

OLD SOLDIER

Yes my king, I shall.

KING MENELAUS Wont be as much fun as being with me, eh Paris?

PARIS

He takes her hand and the two exit dreamily, watched by Young Soldier and
Old Soldier.

(Looking

elen.)

h no. Wont

Helen and Paris watch the King exit with his courtiers. And now they stare at each
other Pariss bodyguards exit, Helens ladies exit, Young Soldier exits but then
sneaks back to watch from behind a pillar.
PARIS (Continued) Helen.

They headed straight for the Trojan boat and sailed

away to Troy. And that was the last we I me us
you know what I mean saw of them. For quite some
time

Lights up. King Menelaus returns to a full court mime under the narration:
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

The King returned with bags of presents from Athens.

I got the job of telling him the news. At first he was
stunned. Then he got angry. Then he got violent. Then
he thought for a while. Then he came up with
a solution

The King addresses his court:

HELEN

Paris.

PARIS

Theres something I need to say to you

HELEN

Oh!

KING MENELAUS I know what Im going to do. Im going to raise an army,

sail to Troy and get Helen back. Paris is going to pay for
this. The whole of Troy is going to pay for this. Because
this means WAR!!! YES! WAR!!! WAR!!!

PARIS

Something that cant be said just in words

The whole court joins in the chant:

As the guitar intro starts, the backing vocalists/band/dancers slip onto stage and
suddenly theres a mike in Pariss hand
SONG 2: IS IT LOVE?
Paris and Helen sing the ballad to each other, sharing with chorus. When it finishes
theyre staring dreamily into each others eyes.

ALL

WAR! WAR! WAR! WAR!

Still chanting and shouting, they exit.

OLD SOLDIER

So thats how it started. A boy and a girl making eyes at

each other. Let that be a warning to you!!!

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Scene 3: The Camp at Aulis

Tents, soldiers training, marching, drilling excited and busy preparations for
war. Young Soldier is part of the drills. As he marches he holds up a card: THE
GREEK ARMY CAMP, THREE MONTHS LATER. Agamemnon is with other
OFFICERS looking at maps and plans over lunch.

OFFICER 1

In the army.

OFFICER 2

On our side.

KING MENELAUS Ah. I see.

AGAMEMNON

Cant go to war without heroes, brother.

KING MENELAUS No, of course.

OLD SOLDIER

King Menelaus didnt hang about. Luckily his brother

Agamemnon was a top general and he soon had a
massive Greek army all sorted and ready to go.

Enter Menelaus.
KING MENELAUS Ready for war
AGAMEMNON

Fighting fit and hungry for action, brother. Only one

problem

KING MENELAUS Problem?

OFFICER 1

With respect, your majesty, theres something missing.

KING MENELAUS Missing?!

OFFICER 2

Yes,

OFFICER 1

We dont have any

OFFICER 2

Were a bit light on

. Missing.

KING MENELAUS Come on! Spit it out!

AGAMEMNON

KING MENELAUS Very true. So why dont we have any?

PALAMEDES

A very good question,

OFFICER 1

We sent a message to Odysseus.

KING MENELAUS Oh,

PALAMEDES

PALAMEDES

There is sir. Heroes.

KING MENELAUS What?!

OFFICER 1 & 2

We dont have any heroes sir!

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dysseus

o.

But he hasnt turned up.

KING MENELAUS No? Thats odd.

OFFICER 2

And we went looking for Achilles

KING MENELAUS Oh, chilles. Very

without a doubt.
PALAMEDES

ne

oes,

But it seems hes gone missing.

KING MENELAUS Missing? Thats even odder.

AGAMEMNON

Palamedes, their superior officer joins the group.

KING MENELAUS Palamedes your men complain theres something
(Continued)
missing in our preparation.

Cant win a battle without heroes.

I dont understand it. Here we are, army all hot to trot

and the two most famous heroes in Greece just upped
and disappeared.

KING MENELAUS Not for long! Get some men together Agamemnon
and find me my heroes! Weve got a war to win!
AGAMEMNON

You heard him Palamedes! Get me some heroes!

All action, Palamedes and his officers hurry off left to do their duty The King and
Agamemnon exit right.

Scene 4: Odysseuss Farm

PALAMEDES

Sir! Odysseus! I come from King Menelaus,

requesting you to join his army to fight for justice
against the Trojans.

ODYSSEUS

Dum dee dum. Dum dee dum dee dum. Dum diddly do.

Queen Penelope with her baby and various COURTIERS. Old Soldier narrates.
OLD SOLDIER

A word about heroes. Ive seen my share of heroes. Im

an old man. But back then I was starry-eyed. I couldnt
wait to meet one. And I got my chance when we all
went looking for Odysseus and Achilles First stop
the Odysseus household.

Enter Palamedes and his two men, with Young Soldier.

PALAMEDES

Queen Penelope! We come from King Menelaus, seeking

Odysseus.

PENELOPE

Oh really? Well were all seeking Odysseus.

PALAMEDES

Is he lost,

PENELOPE

Lost to the world. Look!

am?

In the distance (in and out of the audience?) Odysseus is behind an ox ploughing his
fields, scattering salt.
PALAMEDES

Odysseus the hero ploughing!

PENELOPE

Oh

OFFICER 1

It looks like

OFFICER 2

Salt!

PALAMEDES

Is heill,

OFFICER 1

o ou

Steering nonchalantly, Odysseus heads round again.

PENELOPE

See? Hes lost it. Certainly not fit enough to go off

fighting a war.

OFFICER 1

Certainly looks like it.

OFFICER 2

Its not easy being a hero

PALAMEDES

Hmm.

PENELOPE

Why dont you head back to King Menelaus. And if

Odysseus gets better, Ill let you know.

PALAMEDES

Hmm.

Odysseus passes by again.

ODYSSEUS

Dum dee dum. Dum dee dum dee dum. Dum diddly do.

Palamedes scratches his head. Then has an idea.

s

PALAMEDES

Your majesty pass me the baby, please.

She does uncertain Palamedes takes the baby and places it in the path of
Odysseuss plough.
PENELOPE

What are you doing?! My baby!

Not the word Id use

PALAMEDES

Soldiers

PALAMEDES

Quiet soldier!

PENELOPE

Well,

He nods to the two officers who hold back Penelope. Odysseus and his plough get
closer and closer to the baby. Surely its going to be run over!

aam?

As Odysseus approaches Palamedes steps towards him.

ODYSSEUS

Dum dee dum. Dum dee dum dee dum. Dum diddly do.

PENELOPE

Odysseus! You must stop!! Stop!!

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Odysseus gets closerand closerand then at the last minute pulls the ox away.
Penelope rushes to get the baby.
ODYSSEUS

(to PALAMEDES) Now that was a mean trick. Not fair

at all.

PALAMEDES

One trick deserves another sir.

ODYSSEUS

Hmmph.

PALAMEDES

I take it youre quite fit to go to war?

ODYSSEUS

Completely. Just bad timing. New baby. Didnt feel like

charging off being heroic.

PALAMEDES

Its part of the job

ODYSSEUS

Thanks for reminding me.

He puts his arm around Penelope.

PENELOPE

We nearly got away with it, didnt we?

ODYSSEUS

Nearly. (To Palamedes) ll

best be on our way

They exit. Enter Old Soldier.

OLD SOLDIER

Even heroes try to get out of fighting. Next stop was

Skyros where Achilles the hero had been sighted.

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ed

Scene 5: The Island of Skyros

Palamedes and the girls help Achilles into his armour, and as he breaks into song,
they act as chorus:

Lights up to reveal Achilles and his girl cousins dancing at a party. Achilles has a
rather bad disguise over his armour and he looks mightily unhappy.

SONG 3: THE WONDER OF WAR

OLD SOLDIER

Achilles mother knew the legend that Achilles would be

killed in battle. When he was a baby she dipped him in
the river Styx to make him immortal. But you can never
be too careful. So shed hidden him away with his girl
cousins. Palamedes and the lads tracked him down

Palamedes talks with a servant girl, then he and the officers and Young Soldier force
their way into the party. Palamedes finds the music player and turns it off. Silence.
Slowly he circles the girls (and Achilles whos in a dress with long hair disguise),
suspicious Achilles tries his best to look girlish.
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

Arm in arm Achilles and Palamedes leave the party.

OLD SOLDIER

And so we had our army and our heroes. We were

ready. But what of Paris and Helen and the people of
Troy? Were they ready? We didnt know, of course. But
that doesnt stop you being a fly on the wall, does it?

He knew that Achilles was a born warrior. And that he

would never ignore a drawn sword. The rest was easy

Palamedes suddenly draws his sword and Achilles reacts like lightning, throwing
off his dress and pulling his own sword out and launching himself at Palamedes.
ACHILLES

Dog! You draw your sword on girls?!!

He hurls Palamedes to the ground and scares off the other officers with a wild stroke.
PALAMEDES

Achilles! Sir! Please!! I am here from King Menelaus

requesting your presence in our great army bound to
fight the Trojans

ACHILLES

Aha! I see! The old sword trick! Very clever, very neat!

He pulls Palamedes up and brushes him off.

ACHILLES
(Continued)

What took you so long? I am soooo bored with

dancing. Bring me my armour and lets get out of here!
They say theres a war coming and I dont want to miss it!

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PARIS

A card: THE TROJAN PALACE. King Priam and Queen Hecuba lounge on
cushions. Around them a relaxed court chats, gossips, nibbles, in small groups.
Hector shows off some fighting moves to some adoring Trojan ladies. Helen and Paris
play chess still a couple in love. The calm before the storm

Enter Cassandra. As she speaks the whole court quietens to listen to her
terrifying words
CASSANDRA

Unstoppable? No. You shall be stopped. You shall die, as

all here shall die in the Fields of Troy. All but me.
The Greeks will come and lay waste to us in their
search for revenge.

PARIS

Check!

HELEN

Hmm No not quite

PARIS

Youre too clever for me Helen!

QUEEN HECUBA

Cassandra, my dear daughter. This talk is so depressing!

QUEEN HECUBA

I do wish Hector would put that sword away. Hes going

to hurt somebody.

CASSANDRA

Hear my prophecy. The walls of Troy will fall.

PRIAM

The boys convinced theres going to be a war.

QUEEN HECUBA

Silly rumours.

PRIAM

Silence.
PARIS

Well maybe they will. But please I implore the Gods

let me beat Helen at this game just once!!!

Forgive and forget. Thats what Menelaus should do.

Helen made her choice.

PRIAM

Thats the spirit Paris! Away with you Cassandra we all

know theres not going to be a war!

QUEEN HECUBA

And the right choice it was. Who wouldnt want to be

married to our darling Paris?

Cassandra exits slowly left, all eyes on her, Priams court anxious in spite of Priams
confidence.

PRIAM

Exactly. Anyway, Menelaus would be a fool to try and

attack Troy.

Hector joins them.

10

Hmm, sorry father? Oh yes. Me and Hector

unstoppable.

Scene 6: The Trojan Palace

HECTOR

Just let him try.

PRIAM

Thats the spirit Hector.

HECTOR

The walls are twenty foot thick. Weve got food and
water to last for years.

QUEEN HECUBA

The bravest army in the world.

PRIAM

And the bravest sons a father could wish for. Isnt that
right Paris?

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Scene 7: The Camp at Aulis

SONG 4: THE FOOLISH AND THE BRAVE

Stage right, lights up on the Greek generals and Heroes its a cold night in Aulis
and they wear blankets over. Enter Agamemnon, Achilles, Odysseus, Old Soldier and
Young Soldier quietly to sit by a campfire.

As the song finishes, the stage empties, each side shuffling sadly off to sleep before the
nightmare of war begins
END ACT 1

OLD SOLDIER

Back at the camp we were all ready to go. Boats

trimmed, weapons loaded, soldiers fit and strong.

AGAMEMNON

This time tomorrow we shall be on our way.

ACHILLES

Look at that.

AGAMEMNON

A hundred thousand men. A thousand ships.

ACHILLES

The Trojans wont know what hit them.

ODYSSEUS

I wonder what theyre doing right now

AGAMEMNON

Do you think they know?

ODYSSEUS

The whole of civilisation knows that war is coming.

ACHILLES

A war the Trojans asked for.

AGAMEMNON

Will you sleep?

ODYSSEUS

Nobody will sleep tonight.

ACHILLES

I shall sleep. I shall dream of glory.

ODYSSEUS

There is no harm in glory. But I shall pray too that the

war is soon over.

Agamemnon rises to go.

AGAMEMNON

Well good night to you both. We rise at dawn.

Dream-like the Trojan court and the Heroes and soldiers of Camp Aulis now join
together to sing:

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11

ACT 2
Scene 1: The Fields of Troy
Reprise of Act 1 Scene 1: Darkness, but now the sound of marching drums
and feet
OLD SOLDIER

Two days and two nights the Greek army sailed towards
the City of Troy. We knew our cause was right. We
believed the war would be over quickly. We thought
wed surprise the Trojans. We hit the beach at dawn
and the enemy was waiting

SONG 5: DESTRUCTION
Lights up as from every part of the space, the whole cast as Greeks, Trojans, Heroes,
converge on the centre. Brandishing spears and swords, jeering, singing, fierce,
warlike they wheel around each other, every soldier sizing up his/her opponent.
Finally, climactically, as the song reaches its last line the two sides lock horns in slowmo, blades thrust in attack, bodies twisted in combat as they FREEZE on the line
SONG: All the troops in the house go freeze!
But now they freeze only for a split second then issue war-cries and hurl themselves
upon each other. The stage is filled with battling soldiers. From the high walls of Troy,
Helen, Hecuba, Cassandra, Priam and the Trojan court look down upon the fury.
The battle rages on, splitting into cameos, night and day, ebbing and flowing
OLD SOLDIER

12

The battle raged for a day and a night. Then a week

and a monthuntil the Trojans etreated Troy,
pulled up the drawbridge and left us powerless outside
the great walls. All we could do was lay siege to the city.

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Further tableaux illustrate:

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

We did what any sensible army does. We made ourselves

at home and dug in for the long haul.

Carpenters, builders, criss-cross with timber and tools, hammering, measuring

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

Built barracks. Defences. Weapons. Docks. Walls.

A year went by. Then two.

A wave of Trojans attacks, withdraws.

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

The Trojans came out every now and then and we

fought them. Then they went back. Another year or two
went by. We went off and attacked the nearest city and
destroyed it.

A blur of groups fighting, attacking, throwing spears, pushing a siege engine, lines of
prisoners, soldiers marching, marching
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

We found another and destroyed that too. More years

went by. More fighting. Sometimes it seemed we
were winning. Sometimes it seemed the Trojans were
winning.

The battle flows back and forth silently in the background

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

In the end, the fighting lasted for ten years. Ten years!
Its not surprising that people began to get a bit fed up
with the whole thing.

Stretchers appear with sick soldiers.

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

First the plague broke out.

Then scuffles break out between the Greek soldiers.

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

And then the arguments started. The worst one was

between Agamemnon and Achilles.

Enter Achilles, his servant Brisius and Agamemnon.

chilles.

AGAMEMNON

Ah

ACHILLES

Yes?

AGAMEMNON

Ive got a favour to ask you.

ACHILLES

Oh yes?

AGAMEMNON

Your servant here Brisius.

ACHILLES

Shes very good. I stole her from a prince who lives up

the coast.

AGAMEMNON

Really? Well we could do with her help at our place.

ACHILLES

ACHILLES

You cant do that!

AGAMEMNON

I just did.

ACHILLES

Thats not fair!

AGAMEMNON

Nothings fair in love or war.

ACHILLES

Well ou
Im off.

AGAMEMNON

Hmph. See if I care. Were doing fine without you.

our

our wn. ecause

Achilles exits, sulking. Agamemnon exits gleefully with his stolen servant.
OLD SOLDIER

Isnt it funny how little arguments can have big effects?

No sooner had we lost one of our Heroes back to
his tent, than the whole war took a different turn.
Youll have to pay attention now because it gets a bit
complicated

Enter Hector.
First Hector comes out.

What?

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

AGAMEMNON

So hand her over, would you?

HECTOR

ACHILLES

What?!

AGAMEMNON

I had to get rid of my best servant to please the gods so

theyd stop this plague.

(PROCLAIMING) We
Troy
the Greek army. One soldier from each side in mortal
combat. Let us end this war for good. The winner
takes all!

ACHILLES

But surely you have plenty of servants.

AGAMEMNON

Theyre good. But not as good as Brisius.

ACHILLES

Well ou

AGAMEMNON

Oh yes I can! Im in charge round here and what I say

goes. Guards!

Two guards step forward and take Brisius.

Enter on one side the key Greeks on the other the key Trojans.
AGAMEMNON

We accept your challenge! Who fights for Troy?!

Enter Paris.
OLD SOLDIER

Then Paris swaggers onto the field of battle

HELEN

(CALLING) Go Paris!

PARIS

Who will fight me? Man to man?

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The Greek soldiers mutter and argue.

GREEK SOLDIERS Wheres our heroes? Whos the best fighter? Who wants
to do it? Wheres Achilles? What about Odysseus?
Agamemnon must choose!
OLD SOLDIER

Then who should step forward but King

Menelaus himself!

King Menelaus enters.

KING MENELAUS I, Menelaus, shall fight you, Paris you
snivelling traitor!
The Trojans laugh. But Helen is dismayed.
HELEN

sword flies down And Paris just disappears!

Into thin air!
KING MENELAUS What happened?!! Where is he?!!
AGAMEMNON

GREEK SOLDIERS Thats not fair! Thats cheating!

TROJAN
SOLDIERS

Oh no it isnt!

PRIAM

The gods have decided. This is their doing.

Victory is ours.

KING MENELAUS No victory is ours!

OLD SOLDIER

(CALLING) No! Please, Menelaus! Paris will

kill you!

KING MENELAUS Should have thought of that before you ran off
with

HELEN

I didnt mean to cause trouble. I was bewitched by

the gods!

GREEK SOLDIERS Oh yes! Likely story! Pull the other one!

PARIS

Come on Menelaus let battle decide!

As the crowds on either side roar them on, the duel commences spear to spear,
sword on sword.
Old Soldier steps forward as the action slow-mos behind. Characters step up to
play out the narration in slow-mo. As the body count rises they lie down in order on
the stage
OLD SOLDIER

14

Paris is strong but Menelaus is wily. The fight goes this

way and that. One minute it seems Paris must win. The
next its surely Menelaus who will survive. Helen doesnt
know who to support. Finally Paris makes a mistake
his sword goes flying. Menelaus closes for the kill his

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He disappeared!

The crowd goes crazy. The Greeks are sure theyve won.
The Trojans think they have. Course, theres no proper
rules for a fight like this. Menelaus raises his arms high
and then a sneaky Trojan fires an arrow straight at him.
The king goes down, wounded. His guards carry him
from the field. Behind him the two armies go mad.
The truce is well and truly over.

The armies clash again.

OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

Now Agamemnon and Odysseus hurl themselves into

battle. Ajax another Greek hero we had in reserve
joins them. Paris pops up from nowhere turns out the
gods were responsible for the disappearing trick and
Hector leaps in to protect him from the Greeks. Pretty
much everybody on our side gets wounded and we all
retreat. It looks like were beaten but out of nowhere
Achilles bursts onto the field. His mate Petroclus has
been killed so now its personal. The Trojans retreat
into the city but Hector stays outside and goes head to
head with Achilles. Its an awesome fight. But eventually
Hector stumbles, makes a mistake and pays the price.
Achilles is the victor.

Hector falls to the ground. The Greek army carries Achilles around on their shoulders
a true hero. He poses charmingly as if for photos in front of his cheering fans, then
grabs a mike and launches into:
SONG 3: THE WONDER OF WAR REPRISE

By now the stage must be lined with the bodies of Heroes and soldiers alike. Young
Soldier walks among them
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

As he sings he moves amongst the crowd, acknowledging their praise like a

rock icon
MUSIC DOWN
Old Soldier steps forward, as Achilles continues to sing and pose.
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

To us, Achilles was a star at the top of his game. But the
joy doesnt last for longParis es
ow
our Hero on the heel

By now were running out of top guys and so are the

Trojans. Somebody calls another truce and the battle
ends. Everyone looks around then we see what we
have done. And what a terrible sight it is. One that none
of us will ever forget. Thousands of soldiers slain. Heroes
gone for ever. Its an awful, awful thing, I can tell you.
All we can do is sink to our knees and weep

The families of the soldiers move among the battlefield tending to the dead and the
wounded. As they do they sing
SONG 6: LAMENT

Achilles stops mid-song. MUSIC ENDS abruptly.

ACHILLES

Paris ou fool. ont ou ealise m otected y

waters of the sacred River Styx? You cant kill me.

He struts on:
ACHILLES
(Continued)

Im the champion of the Greeks, Im the one theyll

never beat

He falters stumbles then falls down dead.

ACHILLES
(Continued)

Oh!

OLD SOLDIER

Turns out when Achilles got dipped in the iver y

mum she didnt let go of his heel,
didnt do the full job. His heel was his weak spot. Paris
celebrates but again, not for long an arrow hits him
and he goes down too.

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15

Scene 2: The Fields of Troy

ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

Young Soldier holds a placard ONE YEAR LATER. A set of deck-chairs by the
shoreline. Agamemnon, King Menelaus, Odysseus and Palamedes all sit watching
assorted kids playing on the beach. Old Soldier steps forward.

The boy hands it over.

OLD SOLDIER

Theres nothing like a Greek holiday. And this was

nothing like a Greek holiday. King Menelaus here was
getting fed up. And the heroes Agamemnon and
Odysseus they werent happy. Palamedes too.

AGAMEMNON

This wars gone on too long.

ODYSSEUS

Look at these kids. Some of them were born here!

KING MENELAUS Some of them will probably die here.

ODYSSEUS

Well,

KING MENELAUS I cant see it ending. Well never get into Troy. The walls
are too high.
AGAMEMNON

The gates are too strong.

ODYSSEUS

There must be a way

PALAMEDES

Oh
e
the gates.

neak

If only.

ODYSSEUS

If only

re

Odysseus looks at a group of kids playing with some toy animals.

ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

You! Boy! Come here.

One of the boys runs over to him, clutching a little wooden horse.

16

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ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

Whats this?

BOY

Its a horse sir. A wooden horse.

ODYSSEUS

Where did you get it?

BOY

The carpenter sir. He made it. He makes all the toys.

ODYSSEUS

Does he Do you mind if I borrow this?

BOY

Spose not.

ODYSSEUS

Dont worry, youll get it back.

Odysseus takes the horse and gets up.

PALAMEDES

You going to play horses Odysseus?

He turns before he goes

KING MENELAUS Ha! Easy.

AGAMEMNON

Let me see

ODYSSEUS

HmmI do

Scene 3: The Trojan Palace

Scene 4: The Fields of Troy

The war has had its effect. Everyone huddled, in ragged cloaks, tired, listless. King
Priam, Hecuba together. Helen now sits alone at a window watching. Cassandra
mutters in a corner. Old Soldier enters, addresses the audience:

Young Soldier holds a placard - 6 WEEKS LATER. The Greek army is lined up to
attention. Enter Agamemnon, King Menelaus and Odysseus. Agamemnon addresses
them all.

OLD SOLDIER

Strictly speaking of course, we didnt know what was

going on up in the palace. But you lot can see

He slips off stage.

AGAMEMNON

Soldiers of Greece! You have fought valiantly to save the

honour of the great King Menelaus.

They cheer.

QUEEN HECUBA

How long will this go on?

PRIAM

Until the Greeks pack up and go home

CASSANDRA

And that will never happen. It is foretold!

HELEN

What will happen to us Cassandra?

CASSANDRA

Troy will fall. But you will live.

PRIAM

Nonsense. The Greek army will never break down

these walls.

QUEEN HECUBA

And our soldiers are just as brave as dear Hector

and Paris

There, there

CASSANDRA

You are
reek
never break down these walls.

QUEEN HECUBA

Are you sure?

CASSANDRA

Oh yes. I know it.

PRIAM

Keep watch every day at the window elen.

they will be gone. And we shall be free.

In a few days time, we shall be packing away everything

here and returning to Greece.

GREEK SOLDIERS WHAT?!! Surrendering?! We want to go home but not

without winning! We can beat the Trojans!
KING MENELAUS Soldiers! Im glad to hear that. We will go home, but we
will beat the Trojans first.

She snuffles
PRIAM

AGAMEMNON
(Continued)

Now the Greek soldiers cheer.

KING MENELAUS Odysseus has been working on a plan. A very
(Continued)
clever plan
The soldiers mutter, uncertain
KING MENELAUS And hes going to explain it to you.
Odysseus steps forward and holds up the toy horse.
ODYSSEUS

Some time ago, a small boy gave me this horse. It is the

key which is going to unlock the City of Troy.

More muttering from the soldiers.

ne

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17

ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

Let me explain. The walls of Troy are too high for us to

scale. The gates are too strong for us to beat down. Only
if we can open the gates from the inside can we break the
defences. So heres what we are going to do. Tonight we
start loading the boats to go home. All week we will break
down our buildings here and pack everything away.

GREEK SOLDIERS No! We wont surrender!!

ODYSSEUS

No, youre right. We wont surrender. Its a trick to fool

the Trojans. We are going to pretend to leave. We are
going to climb in the boats and go. And we are going to
leave behindthis!

He taps on the side of the horse, and a trapdoor pops open. Two soldiers drop out,
armed to the teeth.
ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

While the Trojans are partying, well pop out of the

horse, slip over to the gates, open them up and let in
you lot whove crept up to the city walls in the night.
Easy. So what do you think?

For a second, the Greek soldiers are open-mouthed. Then they realise its going to
work and they go crazy!

Bring out the secret weapon!!!

They mob him and from somewhere he gets a mike and sings

And now, pulled by ropes, comes the Trojan Horse. (Cardboard or wood, it only
needs to be big enough for 2-3 people.) The Greek soldiers are baffled.

SONG 7: WOODEN HORSE

GREEK SOLDIERS Thats not a secret weapon! Its a horse! Howre we going
to beat the Trojans with that?!

The Greek Soldiers supply the chorus and the dance moves. They all exit, singing and
celebrating Old Soldier steps forward. Odysseus and Young Soldier act out the
narration in silence:

ODYSSEUS

Have faith soldiers of Greece! This is the plan. Tonight,

the Greek army heads for home. All of us. We abandon
the camp, get in the boats and sail away. We leave
nothing except the horse. Tomorrow morning, the
Trojans will come down to the shore, see weve gone
and theyll say how about that, we won! Wars over!
Then theyll look at the horse, think its a leaving present
from yours truly and theyll wheel it back into Troy and
slam the gates shut after it. Then like any normal army
theyll start to celebrate. And celebrate. And celebrate.
Probably all day long. And all night too.

GREEK SOLDIERS I dont get it. But how does it work?! It doesnt
make sense!

18

Oh. I forgot to tell you

GREEK SOLDIERS Brilliant!! Amazing!! Hooray for Odysseus!!! Genius!!

Awesome!!!

He calls off stage:

ODYSSEUS
(Continued)

ODYSSEUS

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OLD SOLDIER

Just a few nights later, we put the plan into operation.

We all drew straws to see who would go inside the
horse. Muggins here was one of the winners. So me
and Odysseus (and X others) climbed up into the horse
and they shut the trapdoor tight. Then the whole army
hopped into the boats and away they rowed all ready
to come back a day later and take the city. Everything
depended on the Trojans would they fall for the trick?
If they didntwe ere

Won? Won? Youre right. I do believe youre right.

After all these years. Weve won. The siege is over.

Scene 5: The Fields of Troy

PRIAM

Bright sunlight. The Horse stands alone on the empty stage. Old Soldier enters, walks
around it, addresses the audience:

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 Yes

OLD SOLDIER

Believe me it was one of the scariest things I ever

did in my life. That morning, from where I was sitting
inside the horse, I could see everything, hear everything.
I could even smell the sweat on that first Trojan soldier
that turned up to find out what was going on

A lone Trojan soldier now creeps up to the horseinspects itsniffs itprods it

with his swordshrugs. Then another joins him, still suspicious. Then more soldiers.
The horse is no threat they lean against it, prop their spears on it. They look into
the distance no sign of the Greeks or their fleet. Curious (If Young Soldier and
Odysseus are visible to the audience they will react, suppressing giggles, shushing each
other, holding their breath etc.)
Finally King Priam arrives impatiently with his guards.
PRIAM

Yes, yes. Whats all the alarm about?

. And

reeks have

TROJAN SOLDIER 2 A horse. A wooden horse.

Priam inspects the wooden horse. He ponders:
PRIAM

Its not a gift, you know. Its a tribute to Athena.

How very civilised of them. We must take it to the
temple. In the city.

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 Yes

PRIAM

Get some ropes on it and put it in the main square.

Then do you know what were going to do?

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 No
PRIAM

Were going to have a party. The greatest party that

Troy has ever seen!

The soldiers go crazy, cheering and hollering. Some of them throw ropes around the
horse and start to tow it away. Exit all in victorious mood

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 The Greeks sir.

TROJAN SOLDIER 2 Theyve gone!
PRIAM

Gone? What do you mean gone?

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 Scarpered.

OLD SOLDIER

Inside the horse, I couldnt believe theyd fallen for

the trick. Odysseus wasnt surprised one bit. The
Trojans parked us up inside the city and all we had to
do was wait

TROJAN SOLDIER 2 Retreated.

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 Left.
TROJAN SOLDIER 2 Disappeared.
PRIAM

But thats impossible. That means

TROJAN SOLDIER 1 I think it means weve won, sir!

Priam is too taken aback to celebrate.

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19

Scene 6: The City of Troy

Night. The horse stands centre stage. All around it the people of Troy are partying.
Music, dancing, laughter, cheering, led by Priam and Queen Hecuba. To one side,
the Gates of Troy. Helen is with the crowd, but not partying. Cassandra joins her. As
the scene progresses, the crowd disappears to leave them alone on stage, apart from
sleeping guards and soldiers.

ODYSSEUS

(YAWNING) What? Hmm? Oh right.

YOUNG SOLDIER Is it time to start the war again, sir?

ODYSSEUS

Time to finish the war, soldier.

On the other side of the Gates of Troy, the Greek army tiptoes into position...

CASSANDRA

Helen. You do not party?

YOUNG SOLDIER Shall I open the door?

HELEN

I cannot. I can only think of all the brave soldiers who

have died in this war.

ODYSSEUS

CASSANDRA

You must not feel guilty. You followed your heart.

HELEN

The gods bewitched me. But at least the war is over now.

CASSANDRA

Look. It is nearly dawn.

HELEN

A new day. A day without bloodshed.

CASSANDRA

What will you do?

HELEN

I dont know. Perhaps I will go back to Greece...

If Menelaus will have me.

CASSANDRA

We will not meet again, Helen.

HELEN

But why not?

CASSANDRA

Farewell Helen. You will live long and be happy.

HELEN

Cassandra..?

But Cassandra has gone...

Helen waits, looks at the horse and exits.
Silence.

20

YOUNG SOLDIER Sir. Its nearly dawn.

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Why not?

The trapdoor opens and Young Soldier and Odysseus drop out. Cautious, silent,
they creep past all the sleeping partygoers toward the Gates. On the other side, the
Greek army is ready for battle. Young Soldier and Odysseus carefully pull open the
gates and with a terrifying, screaming roar the Greeks flood across the stage on
their merciless attack. Once they have passed through into the depths of the city, Old
Soldier steps forward:
OLD SOLDIER

Now Ill be honest with you. This last bit of my story is

not one Im proud of. Its not exactlyheroic. Im
making excuses well I am, arent I but to be honest
theres only a handful of Trojans walk out of this city
alive. You have to remember weve been fighting this war
for more than ten years and theres a lot of our guys have
bought it and heres
y
treachery on both sides. Anyhow, lets not dwell on the
dark side. Suffice to say we burn the city of Troy and we
leave the place in ruins job done and we get back in
our boats and we head home. And as soon as Troy slips
over the horizon and a nice breeze picks up and we have
ourselves a drink or two then things dont seem half as
bad as we thought. Ive got one last memory to share
with you. Im sitting in the warm sun on that crowded
boat, with my back against the side and the water all
foamy and blue and Im looking up at the deck where
the top guys stand. And Im thinking about all the
people who survived and the ones who didnt.

As he lists the people they arrive on stage, filling the space for the finale, in a
mirror of their first introduction at the beginning of the play...
OLD SOLDIER
(Continued)

The soldiers, my old pals. The Trojans a decent enemy.

Agamemnon. Achilles. Ajax. Hector. Paris. King Priam.
Queen Hecuba. King Menelaus. Cassandra. Helen
herself. Odysseus. And Im thinking what was that
all about then? Why did we spend ten years fighting?
And to this day, I dont know. All I know is this tale of
Heroes will outlast me. Itll live for ever...

The whole cast now sings the final song, arms waving like a concert crowd.
SONG 8: FINALE

THE END

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21

Music Workshop