Synopsis

Pull up a chair. I have a story for you.

A story about a father who wants nothing but the best for his family. About six daughters who have already begun to dream of their own futures. And about a matchmaking scheme that slowly turns into delightful medieval chaos.

In the market town of Markt Einersheim, change is in the air. Times are uncertain, the future of the family must be secured, and Schenk Carol feels responsible for keeping everything in order. So he makes a decision: his daughters must be married.

Not someday.

Not somehow.

But soon—and sensibly.

After all, what could be more reasonable than a father carefully selecting suitable husbands for his children?

At least, that's what Carol believes.

What he fails to consider is that his daughters are not pieces on a chessboard.

Walburga, Isolde, Burghilde, Katharina, Margarete and Emma could hardly be more different. One greets the marriage plans with healthy skepticism. Another already has her own ideas about the future. A third watches the unfolding events with amused curiosity, while the youngest members of the family seem determined to create even more confusion whenever possible.

Then the suitors begin to arrive.

Ambitious young noblemen, confident knights and hopeful gentlemen travel to Markt Einersheim in search of love, opportunity—or both. Some possess courage, others possess confidence, and a few possess far more confidence than wisdom. Some seek genuine affection, while others are drawn by the advantages of a promising match. Whatever their intentions, they soon discover that winning the hearts of Carol's daughters is far more challenging than they expected.

As the suitors compete for attention and the daughters pursue their own plans, more and more people become involved. Curious ladies-in-waiting keep a close eye on every development. Sharp-tongued peasant women provide commentary whether anyone asks for it or not. And the cunning Peter Gössenwein always seems to know exactly what is happening—sometimes before the people involved do.

Before long, rumours spread faster than facts. Secret plans are made. Misunderstandings grow into full-blown disasters. Friendships are tested, alliances are formed and broken again, and half of Markt Einersheim becomes invested in discovering which couples will ultimately find their happy ending.

With every new twist, Schenk Carol loses a little more control over his carefully arranged plan. Yet the harder he tries to guide events, the more obvious it becomes that neither love nor family can be managed according to a schedule.

Carol and His Six Daughters is a lively medieval comedy filled with lovable characters, witty dialogue and unexpected twists. The play thrives on its large ensemble cast, its colourful personalities and the countless encounters between people who all believe they know what is best.

Featuring strong female characters, rewarding roles for performers of all ages, plenty of situational comedy and a generous dose of medieval charm, the story offers audiences laughter, heart and plenty of reasons to cheer for its characters.

Because the best stories are rarely the ones that go according to plan.

They are the ones that begin when six daughters decide to think for themselves.