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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
A one act play of about 30 minutes duration for a cast of 1 male and 1 female. Gay casting is not unacceptable. I am not sure what genre is applicable to this play, it is certainly not a realistic play. Basically it tells the story of the evolution of the universe and the people in it, in symbolic terms. The title is a synonym of "Everyman". The play was first produced by Stagecraft Theatre in 1994, directed by Ann Elliot Smith.
This play is related to three other one act plays, Peace, Magpies and Clownes and it is intended that all four might be presented together for a full night's entertainment.
SET: Black drapes with two sitting appurtenances painted black.
LIGHTS: A spot pointed to each stool and a general wash. The wash is up during the scenes and the spots during the interludes. Use cross fades. At no time should the stage be in darkness.
PROPS: All properties, other than the above, to be mimed.
TIME: Any time. PLACE: Anywhere.
COSTUME: The drapes and the costumes and masks may be of any contrasting colours. The names of the characters, as they appear in the programme, may be changed to the alternative colour. The costumes, make-up and masks must be elaborate and contrast with the simplicity of the set. I had imagined formal evening wear as being appropriate, (but don't feel restricted). The masks need not cover the mouth unless this can be achieved without impeding delivery.
RED: A female of any age. Dressed in white with a red mask which will be donned when indicated.
BLACK: A male of any age. Dressed in white with a black mask to be donned when indicated.
The play consists of nine short scenes representing an evolution. Each scene is separated by a short narrative description of the state of the universe at the time of the scene. These scenes are then enfolded within another short play which has an independent existence as a short piece entitled "WE'RE HERE". "WE'RE HERE" is broken into two pieces in this play, called the "PARADOS" and the "EXODOS". Each scene requires a different acting style, although the characters are still the same "people" throughout. Each scene bears a relationship to one of a series of paintings which are described in the play "MAGPIES", to which this play is related.
ENTER RED AND BLACK.
BLACK: Where are we?
RED: We're here.
BLACK: Do you know where we're from?
RED: (PAUSE) No.
BLACK: You'll have to find that out first, before we do anything.
RED: Why?
BLACK: If you don't know where you've come from how do you know who you are, and if you don't know who you are how can you act a part?
RED: I don't know.
BLACK: You see you have to know.
RED: Yes. Where are we from then?
BLACK: No-where.
RED: No-where?
BLACK: No-where in particular.
RED: I see. (PAUSE) That means we don't know who we are.
BLACK: Correct.
RED: We don't know who we are because we don't know where we're from.
BLACK: In a way.
RED: In a way?
BLACK: Yes. we're not from anywhere in the normal sense because we're not people in the normal sense.
RED: Not normal?
BLACK: No.
RED: Abnormal?
BLACK: No.
RED: What are we then?
BLACK: Different.
RED: Different? I don't understand.
BLACK: It's the sound of a different music.
RED: I thought we were talking about ourselves, not music.
BLACK: We are music. Can't you hear it?
RED: What?
BLACK: The sound of the music.
RED: (LISTENS) No.
BLACK: You can't hear it?
RED: I strain to hear.
BLACK: Elves music?
RED: I can't hear it?
BLACK: Tinkling bells?
RED: I can't hear it.
BLACK: Just beneath the thresh-hold of thought?
RED: I can't hear it. Perhaps it's an illusion.
BLACK: Perhaps everything is an illusion.
RED: Who knows?
LIGHTS DOWN. BLACK SITS ON STOOL IN SPOT.
SCENE 1
BLACK: It was a perfect day. We went for a ride in the country and stopped at
an inn by the wayside. After we had refreshed ourselves we decided to take a
walk along the path beside the river. The willows grew gracefully over the bank
and their slender fingers trailed in the water. We climbed the hill and, as the
murmur of the river faded, silence hung over the land. I looked down at the
earth and at the river and at the fire of the sun in the heavens, and I said to
my partner; "This is the source of all beings...".