The Machiavellian Principle
| Convention skit | |
|---|---|
| Title | The Machiavellian Principle |
| Fandom(s) | Star Trek |
| Author(s) | Walter Koenig |
| Date(s) | June 19-20, 1982 (premiere), other later dates as well |
| Type(s) | play script |
| Location(s) | Houston, USA |
| External link(s) | |
| Related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Machiavellian Principle is a 1982 Star Trek: TOS play by Walter Koenig.
The script was was written to be performed (and sold) in June 19-20, 1982 at Ultimate Fantasy a disastrous convention which took place in the months following the second Star Trek movie.
The actors DeForest Kelly, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Kirstie Alley, Merritt Butrick and (from TOS and ST: TMP), Mark Lenard, attended this convention.
From an eBay seller in 2019:
This is a story treatment written by Walter Koenig as a possible plot for Star Trek 3 or 4. It is interesting because the characters are listed by the first names of the actors -- Walter, Jimmy, George, Nichelle, etc. The science officer is listed as Kirstie, so I am assuming that this was when Kirstie Alley was still portraying Saavik. There is also a Mark listed, presumably Mark Lenard. Also interestingly, "Bill" and "Leonard" do not appear, but the story suggests that they are on an away mission. This is 7 one sided pages, stapled.
The play did go ahead, with... James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig and Kirstie Alley playing their familiar roles wearing specially-designed silver space jackets. Most of the action was confined to a shuttlecraft interior, and was presented more like a radio play. Spock was still dead (as in ST II) and "the Admiral" had been kidnapped by aliens. Mark Lenard was cast as an alien the crew encounter, and the script calls for the entrance of "the Admiral", in a halo of bright light, at the very end. As in: the play was designed so that if William Shatner agreed to a walk-on cameo it could happen. (I don't recall hearing if he did show up or not, but it seemed like the whole play was to lead-in to a convention Q-and-A from William Shatner.) [1]
In 1987, Creation Conventions included Koenig's play in a booklet about the actor entitled Through the Looking Glass. In this version of the script, the name Saavik is misspelled "Savik".
Sample Pages
Later Renditions
November 1982: Bucks Community College
In early November 1982, this play was also performed on stage at Bucks Community College in Newton, Pennsylvania, with college students fulfilling the roles.
From a fan report:
On November 3, 1982, at 8 p.m., Walter Koenig appeared on stage at Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA. I had the rare opportunity of sitting in on the dry run rehearsals of "The Machiavellian Principle" which is Mr. Koenig's play.
It was interesting to observe the nervous anxiety which theater arts students who performed the other roles generated. One student asked me what Mr. Koenig was like. The student's fear was what if someone made a mistake during the live performance. In the process of talking, the students' fears ware removed when they realized they would be working with a sensitive professional. The anxiety level was still running very high while everyone waited for Mr. Koenig to arrive.
The students ran through one dry run backstage with Mr. Koenig. The group then proceeded on stage where a reading was done, with Mr. Koenig directing their performance. He checked the group's performance from the center of the theater. One student who had a slight accent was encouraged to use it during his portrayal of Mr. Scott.
Mark Flanagan portrayed the role of Spock. Lt. Saavik was portrayed by Ann Stackhouse. Dr. McCoy was enacted by Mike Flanagan. Mr. Scott was played by Steve Pager. Uhura was portrayed by Kimberly Stein. Lt. Sulu was played by Steve Halaway. Harold Brown was the Alien Commander.
The theater doors were opened to a large crowd waiting to see and hear the renowned, wise-cracking Russian from the Enterprise. The Chekov was familiar and frequent enough to elicit smiles from the crowd as Mr. Koenig told of his famous journeys with Star Trek and his career.
Mr. Koenig's appearance caused quite a stir. The reception was warm. The press was there to photograph and record his visit.
"The Machiavellian Principle" went well, and afterward Mr. Koenig signed autographs for those people who wanted to meet him. [2]
July 1983: Fantasy Film Expo
This play was performed in July 1983 at Fantasy Film Expo.
Comments from someone in the play:
I attended the Multi-Media convention in Philadelphia, July 9-10.A notice was posted at the registration area for auditions for Walter's play, "The Machiavellian Principle." My friend Lisa auditioned for a part and got it. She was cast in the role of Spock, which she performed on Saturday afternoon.
The backdrop on the stage was a painting of the Enterprise in orbit around a planet with Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. It was a good backdrop for the live performance. The play was good and the actors responded well with the coaching they had from Walter.. The play got a nice round of applause. On Sunday, the girl who played Uhura had a family emergency and couldn't stay for the play. I was asked to take her place on stage that day.
Inside the ballroom as we neared the stage, I think Walter had a second thought. He asked me if I knew the play. I responded in the positive.
The show started off well with the house in total darkness and someone humming the twilight zone music. The play started smoothly. When I glanced up into the lighting I lost my place and fluffed a line in the third set of Uhura's line.
The rest went off without a hitch.
We stood and waited as Walter read our names to the audience. I don't remember the applause because I was so relieved I lived through this and hadn't made a complete fool of myself.
The experience left me totally drained, but it gave me a deeper appreciation of actors and their trade.
Walter is a fine actor and a real professional. I'm glad I had this unexpected learning experience.[3]
Comments by fans watching the play:
Walter Koenig succeeded in putting a little life into the festivities [at Fantasy Film Expo ] with a performance of his play, "The Machiavellian Principle."Convention-goers got to audition for the various parts, while Walter, of course, played Chekov. It was a novel idea and should be employed at more cons.
Although the organizers had good intentions, they could benefit through consulting a knowledgeable fan. Never again will I put down a Creation convention, a much more Trek-oriented affair. [4]
Walter Koenig was the ST guest [at Fantasy Film Expo ]. He answered questions in the usual format offered at this type of convention, although unusual fare was offered. Conventioneers were solicited (actually, they readily volunteered) to appear in Walter's play, "The Machiavellian Principle," and, after a short rehearsal, performed it on stage. They should all be congratulated for their efforts. I would be in a panic at the mere thought of appearing on stage with a professional actor, in front of an audience, no matter how friendly the actor, or the audience -- and their general spirit of participation further cheered by Walter's open and friendly attitude toward Trek fans. [5]
Similar Creations
Fans were very interested in Star Trek's stars, and this interest generated a lot of "side projects."
Shatner and Nimoy, of course, had the for-profit option of big-name publishers, hence the large selection of offerings such as I Am Not Spock, Nimoy's poetry paperbooks, Shatner and Nimoy's spoken and singing LP albums and much more.
The actors with less attention, and therefore less money-making ability, were more available to fans and their fanworks. Nichols, Koenig, and Kelley were much more willing to write poetry and introductions to zines, as well as creating small zines of their own.
Some other examples:
- It Ain't the Lollipop! (Walter Koenig)
- The Big Bird's Dream (DeForest Kelley)
- The Dream Goes On (DeForest Kelley)
- The Dream Goes On and on... and on... (DeForest Kelley)
- The Lady's Alone Again Tonight by Nichelle Nichols, printed in Furaha #3
References
- ^ Therin of Andor, Aug 7, 2009 at The Machiavellian Principle
- ^ by Patricia Moore, given to Patricia M. Mekosh, printed in WKFS Journal (April 1983)
- ^ from Patricia Mekosh in WKFS Journal (September 1983)
- ^ from WKFS Journal (September 1983)
- ^ from WKFS Journal (September 1983)