A MODERN ADAPTION OF THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES

By Sean Chen Tieu Wei

Cast of Characters
Storyteller
Emperor
Two Swindlers
Chief Minister
Servant
Small Boy
Small Boys Father
Scene One:Somewhere in the town
(STORYTELLER enters. He walk slowly forward when the play begins.)
STORYTELLER
: (To Audience) Good evening friends and welcome all.
(looking at the wristwatch and start to anxious) Oh No! Im
late! I am late! I am late to the Emperors procession...I
really should use the monorail next time...
(STORYTELLER runs until he saw a crowd of people who are laughing and whispering
among themselves)
STORYTELLER
: (Approaching one of the commoner) What have I missed?
What have I missed? Why everyone keep on laughing? What
it is about? What it is about?
COMMONER
: (giggling) Well...you just miss the event of the century! Lend
me your ears and I will tell you what just happen.
(COMMONER whispers to STORYTELLER and STORYTELLER starts to giggle as well.
Then the STORYTELLER step to the middle of the stage meanwhile the commoner at the
back still laughing and whispering to each other)
STORYTELLER
: (To Audience) I believe that all of you too are wondering
what just happen here and what did he told me a while
ago...To begin with, I will tell you a story about an Emperor.
Scene Two:In the Emperors room
(STORYTELLER slowly walk out from the stage and the EMPEROR slowly enter the
scene with some clothes in his hand follow by his two SERVANT)
STORYTELLER
: (Lights focuses on the EMPEROR)
There was an Emperor whom are very fond of new clothes
and usually spent all of his money of them. Yes! I mean all
of his money...And because he always fond with his new
clothes, he didnt do any of the things which Emperors are
supposed to do. He only went out when he had the chance to
show off new clothes and he usually have different suit for
each of the day.
EMPEROR
: (Holding his clothes and slowly walking to a mirror nearby)

Good day! Good day!

My new clothes have arrived
again and this time it is from China! The silk for these
clothes is just wonderful, so soft and shiny...I should really
try some of them now. Servants! Servants!
(EMPEROR hands over some of the clothes he is holding to
SERVANT 1 and SERVANT 2) Take these clothes away and
stay at one of my corner of my room while I am trying my
new cloth.
SERVANT 1 & 2
: (SERVANTS nod their head) Yes, Your Majesty.
(While the EMPEROR starts to try on his clothes, the SERVANTS begin to whisper to
each other)
SERVANT 1
: (light focuses on the servants and SERVANTS point the
clothes around the Emperors room) Look at his wonderful
hats...
SERVANT 2
: ...or those silk trousers! or his robe!
SERVANT 1 & 2
: What beautiful colours!
Scene Three:Outside the Emperors Palace
(SWINDLERS enter the stage and slowly approach the GATEKEEPER whom stand in
front of the palace gate)
STORYTELLER
: One day two fellow calling themselves weavers come to the
town. One was a very was a very tall thin man with a long
pointed nose. The other, small and round. The weavers drove
their van to the Emperors palace, and asked to see the
Emperor.
SWINDLERS
: (Driving a van and when they reach the outside of the
palace, they leave their van and walk straight to meet the
palace gatekeeper) Can we meet the Emperor? We have
jackets and trousers hat we like to introduce to the
Emperor...
GATEKEEPER
: (the GATEKEEPER turning his head from side to side)
Impossible! Impossible! And Impossible! A truck of new
clothes and shoes just arrived from Germany today. His
Majesty will be spending the whole day trying them on and
hell have no time to see people.
SWINDLER 1
: (SWINDLER 1 shown an angry face to GATEKEEPER and
cross his hands together) Fine! Tell your Emperor that he
just miss his chance to buy the most wonderful, magical
jackets and trousers that the world has ever seen.
SWINDLER 2
: Include WiFi and Bluetooth too!!
SWINDLER 1
: (SWINDLERS slowly walk away from the gate of the palace)
Lets go my friend, as the Emperor dont want to see us.
(Both SWINDLERS waving their hands)Goodbye.
GATEKEEPER
: (GATEKEEPER stops the SWINDLERS by showing one of
hand palm) Wait! Dont move a step from there...Magical,
you say?

SWINDLER 2
GATEKEEPER

: (SWINDLER 2 turn his back with smile) Yes! Magical! And

include WiFi and Bluetooth as well!
: Perhaps His Majesty might spare a moment with both of
you. Wait there and dont move a single step.

Scene Four:Emperors Wardrobe

(SWINDLERS slowly walk into the Emperors palace)
SWINDLER 1
: (SWINDLER 1 walk to the center of the stage and puts both
of his hands to his hip) I am here to see the king!
SWINDLER 2
: (SWINDLER 2 walking around and pointing the stuff around
him) Is this the Emperors wardrobe?
SERVANT 3
: (SERVANT 3 appear and approach the SWINDLERS) I will
lead the way
EMPEROR
: (EMPEROR greats with a smile and open his hands widely
to welcome the SWINLDERS) Oh! So you are the one who
will make me my new clothes.
SWINDLER 1
: (SWINLDERS bow their head down after they meet the
EMPEROR) Indeed, Your Majesty.
SWINDLER 2
: (SWINLDERS walks around the stage and tilt his head high
after talking about the jackets and trousers)We are the one
whom have invented jackets and trousers which not only
comfortable but magical too!
EMPEROR
: (EMPEROR walk a step back with a curious face but show a
little interest) Magic? What Magic?
SWINDLER 1
: Of course Your Majesty will be able to see our magical
jackets.
SWINDLER 2
: Those whom are not fit for his job will see nothing, Your
Majesty.
EMPEROR
: (EMPEROR walks around the SWINDLERS) This is
splendid! Brilliant too! Heres a chance for me to find out
which of my people are fit for their jobs and which of them
are fools.
SWINDLER 1 & 2
: (SWINLDERS bow their head down) Indeed, Your Majesty.
EMPEROR
: Alright! Make me some of your magic jackets at once!
SWINDLER 1
: Its not cheap. Itll cost...
EMPEROR
: Whatever you ask Ill pay.
Scene Five:Weavers working room
(SWINDLER walk into the room given to them by the EMPEROR)
STORYTELLER
: The weavers were given two silver briefcase that contain
cash and a room where they could set up their huge looms.
Then they locked the door and started to work.
EMPEROR
: (EMPEROR walks to the door and put his ears to the door
and starts to smile. Then he walks to the center of the stage
and talk to the audience) Good! Theyve made a start.
STORYTELLER
: But what the Emperor didnt know was that the two weavers

were cheats who come to trick him. They were just

pretending to work by keeping their looms moving but no
silk was used and not a stitch of jacket was made.
Scene Six:Weavers working room
(CHIEF MINISTER enter the stage and walks toward to the door of the weavers working
room)
STORYTELLER
: However as days pass by, the Emperor began to worry. To be
sure, as he thought he was safe. The Emperor prefer to send
someone else to bring him news about the magical jackets.
So he send his Chief Minister.
CHIEF MINISTER
: (CHIEF MINISTER knocks the door politely) Excuse me.
May I come in?
SWINDLER 1
: Of course. Come and see the magic jackets. I think you will
be quite surprised.
STORYTELLER
: Well the Chief Minister was surprised and horrified because
he saw nothing hanging in the room. He even rubbed his
eyes and put on his glasses to confirm what he saw.
CHIEF MINISTER
: (Lights focus on the CHIEF MINISTER and CHIEF
(monologue)
MINISTER shows a worry face) Oh no! Does this means that
Im a fool and not fit to do my job?! I must pretend that I see
the jacket.
SWINDLER 2
: (SWINDLER 2 pretending holding a jacket) So...what do
you think?
CHIEF MINISTER
: Its um...beautiful.
SWINDLER 1
: (SWINDLER points his finger to the jacket) Like the
colours?
CHIEF MINISTER
: Marvelous and magnificent. The Emperor is going to love
those colours.
SWINDLER 2
: Then tell the Emperor that we need more cash. Magic thread
is very expensive nowadays.
CHIEF MINISTER
: Certainly.
STORYTELLER
: (CHIEF MINISTER enter the stage and tell the Emperor
about the news. Follow by the appearance of a SERVANT
which then walk away from EMPEROR after his order was
given)
When the Emperor got the news from the Chief Minister, he
was excited as he was told that the jacket was magnificent.
So, he told a servant of his to send three more silver
briefcase which is full money to the weaver.
SWINDLER 1
: (SERVANT 3 enter the room and put the briefcase on the
table after being told) Put the silver briefcase on the table.
SWINDLER 2
: (SWINDLER 2 shows the jacket) Lovely, isnt it?
STORYTELLER
: When the servant turn his head towards the swindler, he too
was shock in fear as he too saw nothing. But because he
didnt want the whole world think he was a fool and unfit for

SERVANT 3

STORYTELLER

EMPEROR
(monologue)

SWINDLERS

EMPEROR

STORYTELLER

MINISTERS
SERVANTS
CHIEF MINISTER
SWINDLER 1

:
:
:
:

SWINDLER 2

EMPEROR

STORYTELLER

his job. He answered the weaver.

Oh yes! The most modern and colouful jacket I have ever
seen.
The news of the magical beautiful jacket spread quickly. The
Emperor too could not wait any longer and he demanded to
see the jacket for himself. So, all his ministers and servants
following behind. However, when the emperor open the door
of the weavers working room in the palace, he saw nothing.
(EMPEROR puts both of his hands at his cheek and show a
worry face to the audience) This is horrible. Everyone in the
palace will think Im a fool and unfit to be Emperor. I will
have to give up my Empire. Wait...No! Im not going to let
this happen.
(SWINDLERS approach the Emperor)Your Majesty, do you
love your jackets?
Magnificent! This is the most beautiful jacket I have ever
seen.
(MINISTERS, SERVANTS and CHIEF MINISTER start to
clap their hands and cheers the SWINDLERS)
And of course his minsters and servants all agreed but none
of them could really see any magical jackets either. And
because nobody wanted to be thought as a fool. They said...
Magnificent!
Beautiful!
Charming! My Majesty
(SWINLDERS bow their head down) Your Majesty, we need
more money to improve your magical jackets and trousers.
(SWINLDER 2 walk around the EMPEROR)Your Majesty,
we promised to make you the best jacket and trousers that
we the world have never have.
Of course! Servants! Get two more silver briefcase to the
weavers. Pay them whatever they want.
So the weavers get back to their work and the Emperor
leaves the room. After the ministers and servants have left,
the Emperor go back to the weavers room and peer through
the room to see how the weavers work using the invisible
thread. As the Emperor knew that they would always be
invisible to him as he was a fool.

Scene Seven:Emperors Wardrobe

(EMPEROR stands at one corner of the stage meanwhile SWINDLERS enter and
approach the EMPEROR)
STORYTELLER
: A few days later, the weavers told the Emperor that his
jacket and trousers are ready. The Emperor was excited and
he announced that he would wear his new jacket and
trousers and walk through his town so that his people would

SWINDLER 2

SWINDLER 1

EMPEROR
STORYTELLER

SWINDLER 1
EMPEROR

:
:

SERVANT 1 & 2
EMPEROR
SWINDLER 2

:
:
:

EMPEROR
SWINDLER 1
EMPEROR

:
:
:

SERVANT 3
EMPEROR

:
:

admire his latest outfit.

(SWINDLER 2 pretending holding a jacket and put it on the
EMPEROR) Jacket not too tight, Your Majesty?
(SWINDLER 1 points at the jacket) How about the choice of
colour?
No. Very comfortable indeed. I love your selection of colour.
The weavers then zip up the invisible zip, eased the Emperor
into the magical trousers.
How do the jacket and the trousers feel, Your Majesty?
Very light. It almost feels like I am not wearing anything
now. Servants!
(SERVANTS bow their head down) Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell the Chief Minister that I am quite ready for the parade.
Your Majesty, I suggest that Your Majesty wear gloves as it
is cold outside.
Certainly. What colour gloves that you think best suit me?
Red, Your Majesty.
Yes! Red! Red gloves! Fetch me red gloves immediately and
Ill be ready. Servant!
(SERVANT 3 bows his head down) Yes, Your Majesty.
Get ready my chariot and horses. I am ready to meet my
people.

Scene Eight:Somewhere in the town

(COMMONERS, SMALL BOYS FATHER AND SMALL BOY enter the stage)
COMMONER 2
: The Emperor is coming!
COMMONER 3
: The Emperor is coming!
STORYTELLER
: After the commoners tell the crowd around him that the
Emperor is coming. The streets start to become full as a
great crowd come to see the Emperors new clothes.
However the crowd was scare as they do not know whether
they can see the cloth that the Emperor wears.
SMALL BOYS
: Where is the Emperor?! I see no one...
FATHER
SMALL BOY
: Neither do I. I see you and me
COMMONER 4
: The Emperor is heading towards this way!
STORYTELLER
: (STORYTELLER enter the stage and walk to the center of
the stage and walk away after STORYTELLER speaks to the
audience) How unlucky am I? If I catch the early monorail a
while ago...I would not miss this part.
EMPEROR
: (Lights focuses on the EMPEROR meanwhile the
(monologue)
COMMONERS shows some actions that they saw the jacket)
Oh dear! All must be a fool! All my people see my jacket
and trousers.
SMALL BOY
: (SMALL BOY runs towards the EMPEROR and point his
finger to the EMPEROR) Father! The Emperor only wear

STORYTELLER

SMALL BOYS
FATHER

SMALL BOY
SMALL BOYS
FATHER
SMALL BOY

:
:

SMALL BOYS
FATHER
SMALL BOYS
FATHER
STORYTELLER

red gloves!
Then the people looked at the little boy and the people
looked at the Emperor.
(slowly pull SMALL BOY away) Dont be silly. Im sorry,
My Majesty as my son still young. Your Majesty, your jacket
and trousers are beautiful.
But...
Quiet!

: (SMALL BOY stops his father and point his finger to the
EMPEROR)But father, hes all bare.
: No hes not!
: Yes he is! Hes all bare
: Then all the people start laughing and whispering among
themselves talking about what the little boy is talking about.
The emperor was upset as he knew that the people were
right. But the Emperor slowly, proudly walked on through
the city as the parade must go on
(Look at wristwatch and look to the audience) Oh no! I am
not going to miss the movie this time. Thanks for listening
my story and till we meet again.
THE END.