eBook - ePub
Valhalla
About this book
As violence sweeps the city, a couple escape to an isolated Nordic research facility. On the brink of discovering a cure for the devastating disease, cracks in their marriage start to appear.
The outside world grows increasingly hostile and the couple are forced to choose between conflicting allegiances. As they battle for power and truth, the future of the human race is at stake.
Suffused with Norse mythology, Paul Murphy's play Valhalla depicts a world where the boundaries of scientific research and the endurance of human love are stretched to their limits. It was joint winner of the inaugural Theatre503 Playwriting Award, and premiered at Theatre503, London, in 2015.
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Information
ACT ONE
Midgard
Scene One
In the darkness, noises begin to filter through. Human speech, indistinct, fractured. Glass shatters, screams, crashes, a howl of pain. A fire breaks out, spreading rapidly, it swallows everything in an almighty conflagration. Lights up. The living room of a modern apartment. The WOMAN is sat on the floor, newspapers strewn around her.
Pause.
The MAN enters.
MAN. Hi.
Beat.
Sorry Iām late, trains were packed. What we need, is a nice virulent flu epidemic. (Goes into the kitchen.) Have you eaten? Iām starving.
Beat.
He re-enters, he is drinking from a sports bottle.
Jesus Iām sore. Bruises, look. Be worse tomorrow.
WOMAN. I thought your class was on Tuesdays.
MAN. It is Tuesday. (Drinks.) God thatās disgusting. Iām going to shower.
WOMAN. You got on the train without having a shower?
MAN. Not very sociable. (Holds up the bottle.) Forgot this.
Twenty-minute window to absorb the protein. Want a taste?
She shakes her head.
Are you hungry?
Beat.
How was your day?
She shrugs.
Have you been out? Are you going to get dressed orā¦?
WOMAN. I am dressed.
Beat.
Itās comfortable.
MAN. You could come. I know Iāve said it before.
WOMAN. Yes.
MAN. They have classesā¦
WOMAN. I donāt wantā¦
MAN. Or you could work out on your own, swim, run.
WOMAN. No.
MAN. Okay. Fine. I just thinkā¦ something. This isnāt healthy.
He goes through the newspapers.
WOMAN. You buy a newspaper every day.
MAN. Thatās different.
WOMAN. Just leave them.
MAN. The TV, the radio, the internet.
WOMAN. How can you not care?
MAN. I do care. But right now I care more about you.
WOMAN. Thatās how it starts.
Blackout.
Scene Two
The WOMAN is sat at the table eating. Takeaway bags, etc.
The MAN comes in.
MAN. So, you were hungry?
WOMAN. Sorry.
MAN. Itās fine. How is it?
WOMAN. Try some of this. (Picks up a piece of food.)
MAN. What is it?
WOMAN. Close your eyes.
MAN. Come onā¦
WOMAN. Donāt you trust me?
MAN. Mmm. Okay.
He closes his eyes.
WOMAN. No looking.
MAN. Okay.
WOMAN. Open.
MAN. Iām allergic to mushrooms, remember.
WOMAN. Shush.
She puts a piece of food in his mouth. He chews.
MAN. Mmm, thatās good. Thatās really good.
WOMAN. Youāre not allergic to mushrooms.
MAN. I donāt like them.
WOMAN. Are you tired?
MAN. No.
WOMAN. You shouldnāt overdo it.
MAN. I donāt.
WOMAN. You look good.
MAN. Itās futile really. Man versus machine, man versus nature. Doesnāt get easier.
WOMAN. Not that old.
MAN. No.
WOMAN. Do you want some dessert?
MAN. I canāt.
WOMAN. Course you can.
MAN. I shouldnāt.
WOMAN. I think you should.
MAN. Iāll have to spend even longer at the gym.
WOMAN. I thought you liked going.
She exits.
(Off.) The parkās open again. I walked through it.
She re-enters with desert.
MAN. We could go for a walk?
WOMAN. Weāve got dessert.
MAN. Not necessarily now.
WOMAN. Itās late.
MAN. Still light.
WOMAN. Maybe.
MAN. Most of the shops have reopened. Waiters are out on the street trying to entice people in? Remember Bangkok?
WOMAN. Iām tired.
MAN. You probably feel lethargic becauseā¦ /
WOMAN. Iām tired.
MAN. Have you thought about work?
WOMAN. Yes.
Beat.
MAN. I thought youād want to get back /
WOMAN. Did you?
MAN. Arenāt they short-staffed?
WOMAN. Is that what worries you?
MAN. I just meant /
WOMAN. Theyāll survive. Iāll go back when Iām ready.
Beat.
MAN. Okay. Itās fine. Whatever you want.
Blackout.
Scene Three
WOMAN. Fuck off. Just fuck off.
MAN. You lied to me.
WOMAN. Fuck you.
MAN. Can we please stop this.
WOMAN. I made a choice.
MAN. Thatās what Iām saying.
WOMAN. I decided.
MAN. You decided to hide things?
WOMAN. I wanted to feel better.
MAN. Is this better?
WOMAN. This is about you.
MAN. No, itās about you.
WOMAN. Then you have nothing to say.
MAN. Wh...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title page
- Contents
- Original Production
- Acknowledgements
- Epigraph
- Characters
- Valhalla
- Epilogue
- About the Author
- Copyright and Performing Rights Information
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