Faith, Hope and Charity

Alexander Zeldin

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781350154636
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Mezzi di comunicazione e arti performative
• Subtopic: Scrittura di pièce teatrali

In a run-down community hall on the edge of town, a woman has been cooking lunch for those in need. A choir is starting up, run by a volunteer who's looking for a new beginning. A mother is seeking help in her fight to keep her young daughter from being taken into care. An older man sits silently in the corner, the first to arrive, the last to leave. Outside the rain is falling. Alexander Zeldin's new play is the culmination of a trilogy that began with Beyond Caring - 'Unforgettable' (The Times) - and followed by LOVE - 'the National's play of the year, and then some' (Evening Standard). Described as an uncompromising theatrical experience that goes to the heart of our uncertain times it offers a dose of social realism that taps into the humans behind the headlines. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at the National Theatre in September 2019.

Act One

November, the end of autumn.

Scene One

It is midday. There is a pot of pasta on in the kitchen. It smells, wafting into the theatre.

Hazel Come in yeh /

Mason Thanks yeh oh, ok?

Hazel I’m just gonna get yeh the stuff from the car? Can you put the tables and chairs out yeh.

Mason Oh.

Hazel Put the tables in like a triangle?

Mason Right yeh. Ok.

Mini-beat. Hazel goes.

Mason is alone, does the flyers, does the chairs.

Mason Do you need to come in?

Bernard Yeh.

Mason I’m Mason nice to meet you I’m running the / choir.

Bernard Where’s Pete?

Mason No Pete’s not been well mate. No . . .

Bernard I’ve come for the choir I’m looking forward / to it.

Mason Oh yeh yeh I’m looking after the choir.

Bernard I’m looking forward to it.

Mason Oh good yeh I hope it’s alright and that yeh cheers.

Silence.

Hazel?

She’ll be back in a minute.

Yeh.

He laughs slightly. Bernard wanders off into the back rooms.

Mason Oh I don’t think you’re supposed to go back there mate? Yeh I?

He’s gone.

There is wind outside; the storm is only just beginning. He notices the wind, looks up to the window.

Silence.

Hazel enters.

Hazel It might rain.

She has some shopping. He helps her with it.

He looks up out of the window to the sky demonstrably, as if he hadn’t just done this, maybe points. It’s funny.

Mason Oh I’ll just put these out yeh?

Mason Alright yeh no.

Hazel You can /

Mason Oh ok this weather is mad innit.

Hazel Yeh.

She’s got a table.

Mason You sure you alright with that.

Child’s painting falls off the wall.

Mason Shall I /

Hazel No I’ll do it I’ve got /

Mason Oh yeh sorry sorry.

But Hazel goes over and puts it back up. She walks across the space and it takes her a long time; she is very slow.

Mason notices.

Hazel These have been here for years.

Mason Right.

Well they’ve kept / well.

They must have grown up.

Hazel Who?

Mason The.

The kids who did the drawing.

Hazel Oh yes.

There used to be all sorts / of activities and

Mason YEH?

Hazel Drawing an / d art and

Mason Colouring in

Hazel Oh you’ll need help with that

Yeh

There is an issue with how the table folds.

Mason No I’ve got it.

Hazel No hang on you’ll need help.

She helps him.

Mason Sorry yeh

Sorry.

Hazel No no it’s fine that table is a bit

Mason Weird yeh you’d think the . . .

Hazel Oh yes the feet would move more like

In that way

Mason Yeh exactly!

It’s a bit warmer.

Hazel It’s good to have you here

Mason Oh no I want to / like or whatever is needed

Hazel I haven’t sung in years no

Mason Oh ok

Hazel Ok

Ok good

Sorry? Yes

Are you here all day then or just for the / choir

Mason Yeh Pete said it’d be good to do the choir...