Act I
As the play begins, the Sherwood Players, a traveling company of actors, have arrived in Sherwood Forest to put on the play, "Robin Hood". Daniel, the narrator, tells of Robin's first meeting with Little John at a log over a river they both wanted to cross at the same time. Neither would move, so they fought with staves to see who could knock the other into the river. After several tries, Little John won. Because of the bravery they both showed they became best friends. As the tale continues, Robin meets Friar Tuck, also by the river. He offers to pay the Friar to carry him across the river. After they reach the other side, Robin informs the Friar that he has lost his money and the Friar insists that Robin carry him back across the river. On the other side, Robin persuades the Friar to carry him back across again. In midstream, the Friar dumps Robin into the water. They also become friends and the Friar joins the band of Merry Men. Not everyone was Robin's friend, so Daniel introduces the Sheriff of Nottingham and his guard. The play then moves to the garden of Maid Marian. She is talking with her nurse, Elizabeth. She is unhappy because the Sheriff has ordered her to stay at home and placed a guard at her gate. But Robin sneaks past the sleeping guard to see Marian. The guard awakens but is no match for Robin and he escapes. The Sheriff hearing of this plans a trap to capture Robin. Meanwhile, in the forest, Robin and his band are arguing about how powerful the Sheriff really is. Just then, Robin hears people approaching so everyone hides. The Sheriff arrives with Marian and the Nurse, gagged and bound. He ties them to a tree and hides hoping to capture Robin when he rescues Maid Marian. Robin overhears the Sheriff's plot and has plans of his own. Robin comes out of hiding to free Maid Marian and her nurse. Just then the Sheriff and his guard try to arrest Robin, but to their dismay Little John and Friar Tuck sneak up from behind and capture them. Robin and his Merry Men have a festive banquet to celebrate. At this point, the Merry Men let the Sheriff and his guard go and the players take a short break and the Act ends.
Act II
As the second Act begins, the Sherwood Players continue their tale of Robin Hood. First, they remind everyone about the kinds of characters there are in plays. There is a hero, a villian, a lady in distress and a fool. The story then returns to Sherwood Forest where Robin has let the Sheriff and his guard go after taking all their money. The Sheriff was angry so he plans an archery contest to capture Robin. The winner will get and arrow made of solid gold. The Sheriff knows Robin Hood will come the the contest and when he does he will capture him. Robin knows the contest is a trap, but goes anyway, but in disguise. At the contest, there are three contestants, but a fourth is needed. A cloaked figure appears and offers to be the fourth contestant. The Sheriff, not knowing the fourth contestant is Robin, accepts his entry. All the contestants fire their arrows, but of course, the fourth contestant wins the prize. Not knowing the contestant is Robin, the Sheriff is upset that a stranger won the prize and not the one he wanted to capture. But when he accepts the golden arrow, Robin unmasks himself and again escapes to the dismay of the Sheriff. Shortly thereafter, the Sheriff gets an important letter from Prince John. It states that if the Sheriff is to keep his job he better capture Robin Hood. The guard comes up with a plan. First, they send a note to Marian telling her Robin has been captured and she should visit him. When she arrives they lock her in the dungeon. Then they write Robin saying Marian is a prisoner of the Sheriff. Even though he doesn't believe the note, Robin decides to check to make sure Marian is all right. Robin arrives at the dungeon and is captured by the Sheriff. Happy with his achievement, the Sheriff leaves to write a letter to Prince John. In the meantime, Elizabeth and the Merry Men disguise themselves and go to the Sheriff's dungeon. They trick the guard and release Marian and Robin, just as the Sheriff arrives. There is a chase, followed by a duel between Robin and the Sheriff. Robin is victorious. Robin lets the Sheriff go only after he promises to be good. The play is now finished and the Sherwood Players pack up and travel off to their next engagement. The End.
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