Leo

Rosa Laborde

• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Year: 2002
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9781770912236
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Set in Santiago, Chile, three young friends form a bittersweet love triangle during the political upheaval surrounding President Salvador Allende's assassination.

Told through Leo's memories, the play travels through childhood, first friends, and first loves. Passion and poetry weave together in this story of innocence disappeared.

The stage is bare but for a plain wooden chair. A naked light bulb hangs down over it. Leo sits in the chair. The light bulb casts shadows across his face. He smokes.

LEO:

Absolutismo, autoritarismo, colectivismo, comunismo, democracia, humo, fascismo, federalismo, (accent) imperialism, liberalism, smoke, (normal) nationalism, socialism, smoke, totalitarianism, utopianism… smoke, smoke, smoke! Theories, doctrines, principles, bullshit! Words to live by. Words to fight for. Words to kill for.

He is hit in the face. A breath breaks out of his body. A smoky haze slowly begins to fill the space. The sound of water rises. It has become difficult for Leo to breathe.

And the current… dragging you down… the whirlpool the whirlpool… like the universe knows we’re entering into a darker place… there is nothing left to see… my feet, my fingers, my blood… and nothing? If there is nothing. If I see nothing. If nothing sees me…

Lights begin to fade.

To cease to be seen. To vanish from sight. To cease to exist or be known.

Lights snap to black.

No!

Sounds of candy hitting the floor. Lights come up on Leo wearing a blindfold. Candy is strewn on the floor in front of him. It is a backyard birthday party. They are children.

MAMI:

Abre los ojos mi hijo.

RODRIGO:

Open your eyes, Leo.

ISOLDA:

Yeah. Open your eyes.

Leo takes off his blindfold and looks down at all of the candy. Isolda, Rodrigo, and Mami sing “Feliz Cumpleaños” [“Happy Birthday”].

ISOLDA, RODRIGO & MAMI:

Feliz cumpleaños a ti…

Leo joins in the song. They all sing together.

LEO:

Feliz cumpleaños a mi… Feliz cumpleaños a Leonardo Francisco Rosas Mella… Feliz cumpleaños a mi.

He drops to the floor and begins collecting his candy.

ISOLDA:

May I have a piece of candy?

LEO:

No.

ISOLDA:

But—

LEO:

No.

RODRIGO:

One candy for everyone. It’s only fair.

LEO:

No.

RODRIGO:

Yes.

LEO:

But it’s my birthday.

RODRIGO:

I’m leaving, Leo, if you don’t share.

Leo panics. Remembering what hasn’t happened yet.

LEO:

No, Rodrigo, just follow me. Please hombre.

Back to party.

ISOLDA:

Puhlease!

Leo hands Isolda one candy only. She steals two more without him seeing.

Thank you, Leo.

She kisses him on his cheek. He likes it. He gives her another candy, waits for her to kiss him. She doesn’t.

...

Table of contents

• Cover
• •Introduction•
• •Acknowledgements•
• •Playwright’s Notes•
• •Cast & Crew•
• •Characters•
• •The Play•
• Copyright