Re-visioning the Queen of Sheba:
THE PLAY
Sheba by Erte © Sevenarts Ltd.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE
By Miri Hunter Haruach
The stage is empty except for a draped table Center stage. The tabletop is covered with table microphones as it would be for a Press Conference. Drumming begins. The lights on the table lower and a spotlight comes on down center. Six women enter dancing to the drum and end up in the DC spotlight circle dancing. They are wearing traditional Yemenite dress, except that each dress is in a different color. The dance is an invocation to the spirits/elements as well as the processional to the entrance of the Queen. At the end of their dance three of the women go DSL and three go DSR and become reporters. Lights are up on the press conference table. The Queen of Sheba enters flanked by her press agent Tamrin, and several bodyguards. The reporters flash cameras and begin rattling off questions simultaneously.
Woman 1: Your Majesty is it true that you never slept with Solomon?Woman 2: Your Majesty, did you or did you not have a son?
Woman 3: Can we see your feet? Are you really part animal?
Woman 4: Exactly how big was your kingdom, I mean queendom?
Woman 5: How could you be so stupid as to think glass was water?
Woman 6: Or to drink water from Solomon's cup?
Woman 1: Your majesty, was shaving your legs a metaphor for circumcision?
Tamrin: Enough! This is a Queen. You will mind your manners and treat her with respect. She is not an elected official or an overpaid athlete. She has a right to her privacy.
Woman 2: Then let's go, girls, there's no story here.
Makeda: WAIT. Look here at my feet. (The Queen climbs onto the table.) I am a woman. Just like you. Not a freak. I can answer all of your questions. That is why we're here, isn't Tamrin?
Tamrin: That's what the press release said anyway.
Woman 4: Why are you here?
Woman 5: You've been absent for so long, why this grandstanding now?
Woman 3: Yeah, there's a war going on, I should be covering. Lots of wars as a matter of fact. What do we need with more royalty hype?
Tamrin: Get her out of here.
Two of the bodyguards encircle Woman 3.
Makeda: Let her go. (The guards back off.)
The Queen crosses downstage to Woman 3. The Queen continues. She sings the following song:
The name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, I am a royal queen, a queen of splendorThe name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, A royal queen, a queen of splendor
I ruled a land, I ruled in grandeur
I had a mighty hand
My heart filled with compassion
My hand a mighty hand
My people praised me, my people loved me, I was a warrior
I ruled with open arms
I was a warriorThe name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, I am a royal queen, a queen of splendor
The name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, A royal queen, a queen of splendor
One day the moon grew cold, the sun was blazing I knew the tide had changed
The war begunI knew the tide had changed
I was wise, I needed allies
I travelled from my home
My sisters all were gone
I travelled far from homeThe name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, I am a royal queen, a queen of splendor
The name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, A royal queen, a queen of splendor
To save my people, to save their ways
The wives of Solomon
The captured priestesses
The wives of Solomon
Did you know my child, those hidden women
The wives of Solomon
The lost traditions
The wives of SolomonThe name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, I am a royal queen, a queen of splendor
The name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, A royal queen, a queen of splendor
To save my people, to save their ways
The wives of Solomon
The captured priestesses
The wives of SolomonDid you know my child, those hidden women
The wives of Solomon
The lost traditions
The wives of SolomonThe name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, I am a royal queen, a queen of splendor
The name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, A royal queen, a queen of splendor
I was the last of my kind. For so many centuries, my people had lived trading in spices with foreigners. We were self-sufficient. No one lacked anything. My mother and grandmothers had told me stories. Stories that I expected to tell my daughters, but that was not to be. Before my mother died she warned me that I would not have daughters. She said that our land was special. Our people were the last of our kind anywhere. My mother was prone to wild flights of fancy, so I didn't really believe her when she said that our ways would end with me. In order to preserve, to insure . . . the other ways were becoming too strong.
Woman 3: No. All I know is that you sold your people to God, the patriarchy. If you really were the last of your kind you had a responsibility to continue, not to assimilate. Look what has happened. War, disease, ignorance, racism, sexism...oppression all around. Pollution, chemical warfare, nuclear weapons.
Makeda: No one person could stop those events. I was not meant for godhood.
Woman 3: You got a story to tell Makeda, I'll listen. You got some flashy media attention-getter, then I'm getting out of here. Deal?
Makeda: Deal.
The other five women chant:
Her name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda She is a royal queen, a queen of splendor Her name is Makeda, Makeda, Makeda, Makeda A royal queen, a queen of splendorThe five woman chant and dance until the Scene 2 is ready to begin.
Villa Romana del Casala by Piazza ArmerinaSCENE 2
The Press Conference table has been converted to resemble a camel. Makeda and Woman 3 and seated on Makeda's throne, which is on the camel. The "camel" is flanked by the bodyguards, the five women as attendants, and is led by Tamrin. They all mime movement.
Woman 3: Your majesty, I don't mean to be rude. I mean, I do appreciate being able to travel with you, but how much longer?
Makeda: Tamrin? How much longer?
Tamrin: At this rate another month, your majesty.
Woman 3: Another month?
Makeda: Once, he would be coming to me, but now . . . since the change began . . .
Woman 3: What change?
Makeda: You know this theory about the one god?
Woman 3: Yes.
Makeda: A relative.
Woman 3: Your relative is the one god?
Makeda: No, my relative started the theory. Got some bad drugs, back in Egypt. I can't actually believe anyone believed him. Well, actually no one did.
Woman 3: Makeda, you promised a real story. This sounds like a fairy tale or, how can I say this to royalty, a lie.
Makeda: If you weren't there, how would know the difference between a real story and a lie?
Woman 3: Makeda, this is my job. I need the real story.
Makeda: Why, so that you can become a success, win a Pulitzer or something?
Woman 3: So, I'm ambitious.
Makeda: Well your ambition will have to wait for at least another month. In the meantime, I will tell you the truth about the one god.
During the following story the guards, the women attendants and Tamrin enact the various roles.
Makeda: Once upon a time...
Woman 3: Oye Vey.
Makeda: (Ignoring her.) Once upon a time CREATION MYTH USING 7 DAYS OF THE WEEK. 5 DAYS FOR THE 5 WOMEN, ONE DAY FOR TAMRIN AND MAKEDA FOR SHABAT.
Shabat song
When we come to dance our prayers
We pray to the Lady our souls to keep
And if we die and our dance should cease
We pray to the Lady our souls to keep
May She bless you
May She bless me
May She bless us
And what's to be
We dream by night
We sing by day
We pray for blessings on our way
When we come to dance our prayers
We pray to the Lady our souls to keep
And if we die and our dance should cease
We pray to the Lady our souls to keepSHABAT TYPE RITUAL WITH CANDLE LIGHTING AND WINE AND BREAD MOVE INTO BETRAYAL SONG BY W3 .
Tamrin: I have news your highness.
Makeda: What news, Tamrin?
Tamrin: Your envoy to Solomon has returned. He, Solomon, anxiously and graciously awaits your visit. He is building a palace in your honor.
Woman 3: A palace . . . WOW!
Makeda: It's a trap.
Woman 3: What?
Makeda: Don't you remember the story?
Woman 3: Right, the glass floor, the hairy legs, animal feet, circumcision.
Makeda: Your head appears to be reeling from vicarious experience of my life.
Woman 3: Well. . .
Makeda: Don't forget this is a trap.
Woman 3: And you're walking right into it.
Makeda: I am the last.
Woman 3: And the first.
Makeda: I am not that old.
Woman 3: Sorry.
Makeda: My Mother, your Mother, the Mother of all things is the first. I am the last of her daughters to live with any power, authority, dignity, whatever you want to call it. I must speak to Solomon's women and take their treasure to a safe haven. Solomon is torn between what he knows is true and what he says is true. He's actually made my work simple. He's gathered all the women in one place. There are many there already guarding the treasure.
Woman 3: So I guess you aren't going to him for wisdom, like all the books say.
Makeda: His wisdom was in gathering the women. He too is following the work of the Goddess. He's just not quite aware.
Woman 3: I don't get it.
Makeda: No, I can see that you don't. Nevertheless, we still have three months before we get to Jerusalem. Why don't you tell me your story?
Woman 3: My story?
Makeda: Yes, your story about how you ended up on a camel with the Queen of Sheba in the middle of the Arabian desert.
Woman 3: Well . . .
Makeda: Not that anyone would believe that you were actually on a camel with the Queen of Sheba in the middle of the Arabian desert.
Woman 3: What?
Makeda: Who on earth would believe such a story?
Woman 3: I'm a reporter. My job is to report the truth. And that's what I'm going to do. Provided I ever get the truth.
Tamrin: Makeda, an entourage approaches.
Makeda: (to Woman 3) I hope they are friendly. (to Tamrin) Let's see what they want.
Entourage approaches. It is Solomon and two others. They are all disguised as messengers. Solomon speaks to Tamrin.
Solomon: I bring greetings and gifts from his Royal Highness, the King of Israel, to Her Royal Majesty, The Queen of Sheba.
Solomon offers jewels to Tamrin.
Tamrin: I accept for Her Majesty.
Solomon: I can only give them to her directly.
Tamrin: She does not speak to or see messengers.
Solomon: I have my orders.
Tamrin: My good man, the Queen will not see you. If you like, you may travel to Jerusalem with us. We offer you and your friends our hospitality.
Solomon: I must return. I shall inform my master of this insult.
Tamrin: As you wish.
Makeda: (to Woman 3) That was him.
Woman 3: Him who?
Makeda: (to Tamrin) Let us make camp here. The moon is almost full and I want to be ready for the festival.
Tamrin: As you wish.
Woman 3: Him who?
Makeda and Woman 3 dismount from the throne and continue their conversation as their quarters are being set-up.
Makeda: Solomon.
Woman 3: That was Solomon?
Makeda: He's come to observe our full moon festival.
Woman 3: But he's leaving.
Makeda: He said he was leaving.
Woman 3: I saw him ride away.
Makeda: Solomon often says one thing and does another. You'll find that out as we go along.
Woman 3: How do you know so much about him?
Makeda: We're related.
Woman 3: What?
Makeda: His mother was my aunt. Surely, you remember Bathsheba, King David's wife?
Woman 3: She was your aunt. So you and Solomon are . . .
Makeda: Cousins.
Woman 3: Hey, that's a news scoop!
Makeda: Take this down.
Woman 3 takes out her laptop and begins to write.
Makeda: Makeda, nee Bilqis, Queen of the Land of Sheba. A land that once stretched from the tip of Arabia to the tip of South Africa, from the Indian Ocean west to the Land of Chad, declare that King Solomon, currently ruler of Israel, Son of David, is my cousin, by arranged marriage.
SONG: I WAS NOT THE FIRST TO MAKE THIS JOURNEY.
SONG ABOUT THE TRAVEL OF THE SABEANS FROM ETHIOPIA TO EGYPT TO MT. SINAI TO ISRAEL TO BABYLON, ETC. BACK TO SOUTHERN ARABIA AND TELL THE FUTURE MOVEMENT OF THE SABEANS TO AXUM.
During song the stage is prepared for a ZAR ritual by the women. The men form an outer circle. women set up fire ( a ring of candles) and begin drumming and chanting. They are joined by Woman 3 and Makeda. Woman 3 sits in the outside circle and watches. Makeda joins the other women. They begin a slow dance ( to the left) around the fire. The dance picks up speed intensity and then slows. This is repeated several times. The stage lights show the passage of time from evening to dawn three times.
Woman 3: I am so tired. I haven't slept for days. What kind of ritual was that?
Makeda: ZAR.
Woman 3: How do you spell that?
Makeda: It depends.
READ MORE ABOUT MAKEBA!!
Go to THE QUEEN OF SHEBA, THE LEGEND
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