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Chrissy

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A pdf copy of the play can be downloaded for reading purposes only. Please do not distribute or perform without my authority. I trust you. DOWNLOAD

Introduction

Chrissy is a one act play of duration approximately 25 to 30 minutes for a cast of 2 males and 3 females. The genre is social comment and concerns the attitude of society towards the mentally ill and disadvantaged. This is the first play I ever wrote. At the time of writing I had just been introduced to Greek theatre and this influenced the style of the play. There are several scenes written in a realistic mode, separated by 'choruses' where the characters use heightened, poetic language.Chrissy was first presented by BATS Theatre in 1982, directed by the author.

Cast

CHRISSY: A pretty young lady
LADY: A middle-aged housewife
MAN: Her husband.
JOHN: A young hoon.
NURSE:

Set and Sound

There are four areas. Photographic realism is not required.
1) A Drawing Room. Stage right (or left). Table, three chairs, tea service.
2) A Car. Centre upstage. A car seat.
3) Free area. Centre downstage.
4) Hospital. Stage left (or right). White cabinet, glass of water, bottle of pills.

SOUND: Thunder at start, then sound of rain throughout. Car noises are not required.

Synopsis

Scene one is in the present. Chrissy is out from mental hospital for a rainy afternoon in the company of a couple of do-gooders. Scene two is a flashback to a scene in a hot-rod with John, Chrissy's hoon husband to be, where she tells him she is pregnant. Scene three occurs in a hospital where the nurse tells Chrissy that her baby has died. Scene four returns to the present where each of the four antagonists to Chrissy express their attitude towards her.

Start of play

STAGE IN DARKNESS. CHRISSY IS IN GESTURE OF SUPPLICATION IN FREE AREA. REST OF CAST IN THEIR SPACE WITH BACKS TO THE AUDIENCE. LIGHTNING. CHRISSY STARTS UP. THUNDER. MAN AND LADY TURN AND WALK DOWNSTAGE. THE RAIN STARTS. MAN HOLDS OUT HIS HAND.

MAN: Heaven's wells burst forth, an abundant cataract.

LADY: See how it rains and water flows down drains.

MAN: Jupiter Pluvious reigns.

CHRISSY: Look at it pour down, so dim and dismal and grey. I hate it. It reminds me of unhappy times, but it's nice inside warm and cosy in front of the heater, safe from the wet and the cold. I like this room; there are pictures on the walls, boats in the bright sunset, sweet young girls; and little chintzy things around. Cups of tea and social sympathy harbour me for a time and make me forget where I've been, and where I'm going.

LADY: What can we do for her, the poor thing?

MAN: Offer sweet sugar for the acrid soul.

LADY: Let us sit down to tea.

THEY SIT DOWN AROUND THE TABLE AND LADY POURS.

CHRISSY: Isn't it raining heavy?

LADY: It's far too wet to go back in the bus. Are they coming to get you?

CHRISSY: I don't know. They didn't say.

MAN: They usually don't.

LADY: (TO HIM) They never have yet. (TO HER) I thought if they thought it was going to rain they might make some arrangements.

MAN: If the car was going I could take her back.

LADY: Well it's not going is it?

CHRISSY: It doesn't matter. I'd just as rather stay here for a while.

LADY: Well you'll have to go back sooner or later dear.

CHRISSY: Yes, I suppose so.