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THE DOMINO EFFECT
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Author’s Note
The play is written in an ensemble style, with a chorus of Narrators who can number anything from two to ten. Lines in the narrative passages can be distributed among the company as they see fit. Individual named parts can be doubled by Narrators, or can be played by separate actors. Smaller bit parts can be played by anyone, and the really small cameos could even be played by puppets, projections or otherwise suggested impressionistically. Cast size is therefore highly variable – though I would suggest a minimum of about eight to play all the parts and pull off all the effects required.
The play is written to incorporate dance and physical-theatre sequences. These can be performed by the Narrators/actors, or by a separate team of dancers. The intention is to achieve a fluid playing style in which we can move quite quickly through time and space. Dance and movement is intended to be part of the story, the story should not stop for it to take place. Similarly, all of the passages of narration are intended to be accompanied by a physical enactment of the stories we are hearing. Just because movement is not specified in the stage directions does not mean nothing is happening on stage. Indeed, physical movement is essential to bring the denser passages of text alive. I am deliberately vague about the onstage activity in order to allow the company to deploy their own imaginations in how to bring the play to life. Bodies and movement can even be used to suggest locations at times. Detailed naturalistic sets are therefore not required, and there should not be lengthy pauses for scene changes. Projected imagery or even simple stop-motion animation may assist with this.
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The Domino Effect was first performed by Mulberry Theatre Company at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe on 4 August 2014, with the following ensemble cast:
ONSTAGE | BACKSTAGE |
| Jamila Ahmed | Afsana Begum |
| Tamanna Ali | Almitra Simpson |
| Naphysa Awuah | Naima Chowdhury |
| Maria Jahan Begum | Bipasha Islam |
| Tanya Hossain | Kinza Javaid |
| Naeemah Islam | |
| Shahena Miah | |
| Nowshin Sweety | |
| Director | Shona Davidson |
| Movement Director | Lynsey Roddam |
| Voice Coach | Sarah Blumenau |
| Designer | Barbara Fuchs |
| Design Assistant | Rachel Roselle |
| Production Manager | Chris Stone |
| Company Manager | Afsana Begum |
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Characters
in order of appearance:
NARRATORS
FOX
MRS KHAN
STANLEY TROUT
PATIENCE ADEMOLA
JOYNUL UDDIN
MRS UDDIN
ALI MUSTAFA
MAHMUD NAZIM
JUDITH THE SHEEP
FAHIDA BEGUM
LAILA BEGUM
TOWER HAMLETS COUNCILLOR
AMINA RAHMAN
NABIJAH RAHMAN
SAMIT RAHMAN
MUSEUM GUARD
BOSS
DOCTOR
TEACHER
FLUSTOMER
THE DEBT COLLECTOR
POLICEMAN 1
POLICEMAN 2
ARTEMIS
LAWYER 1
LAWYER 2
ANIMALS
INTERVIEW PANEL
MUSEUM OF TIME CURATORS
GIRL/SURGEON
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NARRATORS. On the first of March 1997
At 7.03 a.m.
A wild fox trots down Whitechapel Road, East London
In the misty half-light of a Tower Hamlets dawn.
Like a fox, these streets never sleep;
Even at this hour they are quietly humming;
Padded paws pass Jalebi Junction
Firing its fryers to tempt early risers
With caramel sa...
