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THE SYMBOLS IN THE TEXT
/ means that that next line begins here.
- means that the line is interrupted.
means a new thought, or choice, or change of mental or emotional direction...
means that the line between these symbols should be rewritten to fit the actual physical attributes of the actor playing the role or the location of the production.
EMMA: CON: When there is no space between names and lines, these lines happen simultaneously.
THE SET: The first and third acts are designed for a simple, raw, flexible, multi-purpose, transparently theatrical playing space. There is a great deal of flexibility about how it looks, what is there, how the play is actually staged, and the use of live music, lighting, sound effects, etc. The action should be relatively fluid and rapid, quite like a Shakespeare play. The actors who are not in the primary scene are very likely on stage a good deal of the time, around the periphery, playing music, eating, watching, etc. This could vary greatly depending on the space...
The second act, however, is imagined to take place in a relatively realistic kitchen. The intention is that it feel significantly different than the first and third acts.
THE ACTING: Should be very, very good: Emotionally grounded, deeply passionate, intention-driven and relatively realistic. Also funny. Pretty much like a really good Chekhov play. Only different.
THE META-THEATRICS: The characters are "real" people. They are also characters in a play. They should all be fully invested in the reality of their lives in the play and the stakes are high and deadly serious. At the same time they know that they are in a play, that there is an audience out there, etc. etc. There is no "real life" equivalent to this theatrical reality, no matter how much the actors might want there to be one. There is simply more than one reality going on at a time.
THE SONGS: The songs-music by James Sugg, lyrics by Aaron Posner and written to be performed on ukulele-will be licensed for future productions as a part of the play.
ACT I
0. START
CON: (He comes onstage and talks directly to us.) The play will begin when someone says: "Start the fucking play."
When...