This is a traveller’s story based on the mythology associated with this people group. The central character Jack was born with the blessing of a protective sealie hood and receives a prophesy about marrying a princess and becoming king. The story follows him through dangers until eventually the prophesy is realised. The play has a number of lessons to be learnt. Jack helps others even at risk to himself; the princess Cassandra is at first frustrated with this trait but gradually realises the merits of such actions. The play also suggests that you should follow your heart as the Queen unhappily married the King even though she loved the Robber King. These two are eventually reunited. The greedy King is confined to the Ferryman’s boat when his head is turned by the silver and gold at the bottom of the vessel. Rather than give him all he desires, the boat’s riches force the King into imprisonment.
At the heart of this production are the travelling people who have a specific heritage and a story-telling history worth preserving. The Queen’s final declaration, “I declare that from this time on, travellers will always be welcome and that all traveller folk forced to live as outlaws can return to their families as free men” shows a change in perception-the characters of Jack and the Robber King show that travellers can have a sense of honesty, kindness and integrity.
