The Stage of a Theatre

Cut

By Ed Monk

Cast of characters:

A                An actress

B                An actor

C                A director

D                A stage manager

E                Another director

F                Another other director

G                Another actress

H                Another actor

Techie        A techie

Jack                A workman

Nick                Another workman

Derek                 A guy

Jennifer        A girl

The Director        The Director

Setting:

The stage of a theatre. The setting is abstract. Set in a semicircular arrangement from stage left, across the downstage area and continuing to stage right are the following:

• A large rectangular platform (P1), its shorter end facing the audience. On it stands a small round table T1, the type found in restaurants, as well as two “artie” stools S3 and S4 on either side, set at an angle to the audience, with S3 facing the audience at an angle, while S4’s back is at an angle to the audience. The table has a vase with a rose on it.

• A square platform (P2) of equal height, on which is a large beanbag.

• A square platform (P3) on which is placed a tall pole with pegs sticking out of it at various heights and in various directions. Alternatively, the pole could be replaced by small clothes-screen or rack over which clothes etc could be draped or hung. At the start, there is a pair of trousers hanging there, as well as a holster which holds a gun.

• A doorframe, with a curtain.

• A square platform (P4) on which a small foldable ladder stands.

• A square platform (P5) on which is placed a small shelf, a bar trolley or a small table, which is lined with beer bottles, and also holds a number of glasses/ mugs.

• A large rectangular platform (P6), with it’s shorter end facing the audience, on it being a large desk T2 with drawers and a lampshade adjoining the desk. On the desk should be a telephone, a pile of books, papers, and other desk furnishings. Inside a drawer should be a few copies of the script. On the table should also lie a box of cigarettes and a lighter.

• Right in the middle of the stage is a sofa or a long bench that has been draped over, and has cushions on it.

• On either side of it, and at an adequate distance from it, are two low stools S1 and S2 are set at a slight angle. A meter and a half in front of the bench is a low small living room table T3 that might have newspapers, magazines and an ashtray on it.

The lighting arrangement is such that, besides the regular lighting, there should be a sharp-edge spotlight for each of the platforms and the doorway, as well as diffused edge spot for the central bench and its adjoining stools. They should be such that all spots can be on and still the intermediate areas are in darkness. In the center of the hall is also a moving spot that can be focussed on any part of the stage.

[pic 1]

Play begins

(The stage is dark. Melancholic jazz starts to play. As spots fades in over P1 fades on to a dim lighting, we reveal A and B at a restaurant. A appears to be talking a lot. B is not. H2 dressed as a waiter walks in with a tray containing a wine bucket and some fruit salad type desert with lots of bananas on a plate.)