On July 20, 1969 two spacecraft landed in the Sea of Tranquility one from the most powerful nation on earth, the United States, the other from the smallest, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.
Who got there first?
Adapted with permission by Rich Helms from the book The Mouse on the Moon by Leonard Wibberley
In July 1969, two spacecraft lifted off to take men to the Sea of Tranquility – one from the most powerful nation on earth, the United States, the other from the smallest, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.
The US Saturn V rocket stood 363 feet tall, weighed 3,100 tons and was powered by liquid hydrogen.
The Grand Fenwick rocket was a US surplus Little Joe II, 55 feet tall, 50 tons and powered by an atomic motor fueled by Pinot Grand Fenwick ‘Fifty-eight’ wine.
Who got there first?
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon on July 20, 1969. Suppose Grand Fenwick was there also? Through a detailed timeline of the Apollo 11 events, in this play, Grand Fenwick activities are intertwined while preserving historical facts. The plot uses seldom-known incidents about the Apollo flight.
An interesting piece of history is that the Apollo 11 countdown went as planned. It started on July 10, 1969, with a launch on July 16 and a landing on July 20. The target time for Fenwick to fly to the moon was 10 days, so Kokintz realizes if he launches on the same day the Apollo countdown starts, they will both reach the moon at the same time.
The play uses accurate but not well-known incidents of the Apollo 11 flight to support the story. Historical tie-ins are explained at: https://richhelms.ca/themouseonthemoon/history/
The only pure science fiction aspect of the story is the wine being used as an atomic fuel.
Staging and Audience Involvement.
With the lack of technology, the setting and costumes lend themselves to a Steampunk set and costumes. Navigation is by a brass sextant and the propellant is a radioactive vintage wine.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Male or Female: 3Character: Age: Gender: Dialogues
- VINCENT: 20’s: Male: 116
- PROFESSOR: 64: Male: 88
- COUNT: 50’s: Male: 39
- TULLY: 20’s: Male: 26
- JAMIE: 20’s: M/F: 25
- ALEX: 20’s: M/F: 19
- CYNTHIA: 20’s: Female: 19
- WENDOVER: 30’s: M/F: 16
- BENTNER: 40’s: Male: 14
- SOS – Secretary of State: 50’s: Male: 13
- GLORIANA: 20’s: Female: 9
- LARRY *: 20’s: Male: 7
- ARMSTRONG *: 39: Male: 6
- GLENN *: 23: Male: 6
In the script M/F dialog is written as female for ease of reading. Appropriate gender changes permitted if female actor used.
Doubling: Neil Armstrong and Glenn could be played by one male person.
* Real people from History
All play music is in the public domain.
https://richhelms.ca/themouseonthemoon/
This play allows for a lot of leeway when it comes to costuming, casting and the set. It’s interactive, fun and suitable for all ages – perfect for community/high school theatre.
