100 (NHB Modern Plays)

Christopher Heimann

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9781780016726
• Topic: Letteratura
• Subtopic: Teatro britannico

A strikingly original play combining traditional storytelling with physical theatre, created by The Imaginary Body. Winner of a Fringe First at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival. Imagine that you must choose one single memory from your life./Imagine that choosing this memory is your only way of passing through to eternity./Imagine that you have just one hour to choose... 'Armed with only five bamboo sticks, the actors created a visual piece of theatre that captured the imagination of every spectator... They all left the theatre thinking about what their 'one memory' would be' - Joyce McMillan 'A theatre show that actually makes you think about your own life... fascinating' -Guardian 'This play moved me more profoundly than anything I can remember seeing' -Scotsman

Void

The lights fade up from black. We are in a seemingly vast space, largely empty and without recognisable dimensions. Light floods in from an unknown source. This is the Void, an otherworldly place, perhaps outside time and space. The stage area contains four, apparently randomly placed, boxes.

After a few seconds we become aware of movement.

KETU appears, like a shadow in the outermost edge of the space. Apparently in his mid to late thirties, his movements have something distinctly animal about them. He is clearly confused and disorientated.

Then SOPHIE appears, a woman in her late twenties / early thirties. She, too, is disorientated.

The two try independently to make sense of their new environment.

KETU discovers SOPHIE. He stares at her. She returns his gaze for a moment.

ALEX runs onstage. He is a young man, self-assured and brash, with a childlike quality that makes him attractive and likable.

All three look at each other.

Ketu

1 . . . 2 . . .

ALEX turns and looks around, trying to work out where he is.

Ketu

3 . . .

SOPHIE looks at KETU.

4.

Sophie (to ALEX)

What’s he doing?

Alex

At a guess . . . counting.

Sophie

Counting what?

Alex (looks around)

The seats?

Ketu

5.

Alex

Apparently not.

KETU is confused. Lost in thought for a moment.

(To KETU, helpfully.) 6?

KETU wheels around, seeing ALEX for the first time.

Ketu

What?

Alex

Nothing. Just . . . joining in.

KETU looks at ALEX as if it is ALEX that is mad. KETU examines one of the boxes. ALEX looks around again.

Sophie (a realisation)

I’ve been here before.

Alex

Oh?

Sophie

I think so yes. This . . . sensation . . . it’s familiar.

Alex

Where exactly is here?

Sophie

I . . . I don’t know.

SOPHIE tries to think.

Ketu

7.

Sophie

I wish he’d stop that!

Ketu

8.

Just then KETU comes up to SOPHIE. He looks at her closely.

Sophie

Hello.

KETU flinches and rubs his neck. KETU is confused by the sensation.

What’s wrong?

Ketu

What?

Sophie

With your neck?

Ketu (offended)

There’s nothing wrong with my neck . . . you don’t like my neck . . . you don’t have to look at it!

The two part. SOPHIE slowly reaches for the top of her head.

Sophie

I have a cut . . . here.

She traces her hand along the extensive incision.

Alex

What?

Sophie (not wishing to pursue the thought)

Nothing . . . it doesn’t matter!

KETU comes to a realisation, he sniffs the air.

Ketu

There is no smell.

They all look at their surroundings.

Alex

This isn’t right. This is not right at all.

They all look at each other.

Just then a voice is heard from the darkness.

Guide

Good . . . this is very encouraging. Very encouraging.

The others are startled. KETU dashes and hides behind a box. A figure enters the space. He appears to be a man in his fifties. As we shall see, he is something of a chameleon. He is able to change his physical and vocal characteristics with remarkable speed. He is the GUIDE. Though at times he appears more of a jester or a clown. Unlike the others, he appears to belong to this place.

I’m sorry to have left you alone all this time . . . there’s a bit of a backlog. Well, backlog’s the wrong word really . . . since time doesn’t exactly . . .

Alex

Who the hell are you?

Guide

I’m coming to that . . .

The GUIDE takes centre stage.

If I could have your attention for a moment . . . I have a short presentation.

Alex

Look this is very interesting but . . . !

The GUIDE suddenly changes to...