Areal the Unchaste

an Eleri play


by J. Patrick McDonald

This play is often presented on the eve of the 6th day of the Banquet of Delight following Galopea's feast. The production is handled very differently depending upon the influence of the local church. Where Haleanism is widespread, this "passion play" may be held in an outdoor theatre--or even in the city streets. In kingdoms with more restrictive morals, the play is presented inside the temple. Much of the story is improvised, so only common themes and a basic summary are provided here. There are several musical numbers in the play that are common, and canted ad-lib response by the audience is very common.

Act I

Scene1. Dugal's Tavern

Areal a beautiful but prudish young woman is shonw before she enteres the Halean faith. She is a poor urban youth, a serving wench in her uncle Dugal's Inn. Areal and Dugal (a gruff, unlikeable man) prepare for the evenings guests. Dugal reminds Areal of the importance of maintaining her purity. We learn of Areals dreams of wealth and pleasure. Slowly the guests arrive, and are entertained. (The church often provides wine, ale and tavern snacks for the audience...sometimes laced with mild drugs).

A handsom minstrel Mykel, is one of the guests at the Inn, and he takes a liking to Areal. Even though she is obviously attracted to him, she refuses him and he leaves with a prostitute.

Scene 2. Areal's Bedroom

Excited by Mykel's flirtations, Areal dreams that he comes to her in the night. A romantic interlude follows: the ideal courtship of a young girl. Mykel clims in through her window bearing flowers. He woo's her with Mykel's Sonata and they dance the Lover's Dance. He takes her in his arms, kissing her and they fall into her bed. They continue their foreplay and the lighting dims to black. (Mykel slips off-stage unnoticed in the darkness.) Areal begins to moan, softly at first, then louder and louder. The lights flash on, and Dugal rushes into the room shouting "Areal! what are you doing?" to which the crowd invariable responds "coming uncle."

Act II.

Scene 1. Dugal's Tavern

Areal is fixing breakfast at the bar in the morning. Dugal joins her. As they sit down to breakfast the tax collector enters demanding the taxes. Dugal cannot pay. The tax collector offerst to take "Areal in trade." Dugal is furious and assaults the tax collector. The city guard immediately rush into the tavern and drag Dugal away in chains. The tax collector then grabs Areal and kisses her telling her he'll "be back to collect" the tax.

Scene 2. Dugal's Tavern

Areal is in the tavern crying. Slowly, the prostitutes file into the inn common room and begin discussing their "clientes". They don't notice Areal at first, but later do and discover her financial woes. The prostitutes offer her little comfort/advise but do have a bawdy musical/dance number called the Harlot's Bump. The whores try to tempt Areal to their profession but are unsuccessful.

Celene, a woman Areal has taken for a prostitute is actually a Courtesan on loan to a local lordling. She sits with Areal at the end of the dance, and consoles her, suggesting a hot bath is just what Areal needs.

Scene 3. Dugal's Tavern--the bath

Celene leads Areal to the bath, and instructer her in the tenets of Halean worship. A short basic course in theology is given while Celene rubs Areal down in a hot bath. The bath concludes in a contract/bargain between Areal and Halea/the Church. The amount of public nudity in this scene varies greatly. In some locations the culminating sex between the two women is quite explicit.

Act III.

Scene 1. Dugal's Tavern

Areal returns to the Tavern, and the evening's crowd is brisk. Areal collects large tips, and the tax jar is full by evenings end. (The priestesses not involved in the play itself often take up a collection at this time as well.) Mykel returns, and again pursues Areal. At first she resists, but then succumbs to her own desires. Again the degree of explicitness varies widely.

Scene 2. Halean Temple

Some time later, Areal is at a Seshneal ritual giving witness. She is draped in fine clothes and adorned with priceless jewelry. She is there with Celene and Mykel, and explains how her bargain with Halea brought her great wealth, and how her uncles non-compliance with the Golden Bargain had landed him in debtors prison. The Audience members are encouraged to give witness after Areal finishes, and to participate in the orgy that follows.