Apologia (2017 edition) (NHB Modern Plays)

Alexi Kaye Campbell

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781848426931
• eBook ISBN: 9781780019277
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A witty, topical and passionate play about generations, secrets, and the stories we tell about our lives.

Kristin Miller is a firebrand matriarch and eminent art historian. Her birthday gathering should be a cause for celebration, but the recent publication of her memoir has exposed cracks in her family relationships. As the evening progresses, questions arise about the sacrifices she has made and about the price paid by those nearest to her.

Alexi Kaye Campbell's play Apologia was originally produced at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2009. This edition was published alongside the play's revival at the Trafalgar Studios, London, in 2017, directed by Jamie Lloyd and starring Stockard Channing as Kristin.

'raw and very funny... confirms Campbell's standing as a fresh and sensitive voice' - Evening Standard

'Sharp, funny, wise and humane, Alexi Kaye Campbell is a writer to cherish' - Telegraph

ACT ONE

Scene One

The kitchen of KRISTIN’s cottage. Impressive, chaotic, eclectic – like its owner. Full of interesting and beautiful objects. The space is dominated by a large dining table.

KRISTIN is standing on one side of the room, PETER and TRUDI are on the other side, by the door. They have just arrived. They have two bags with them – an overnight travel bag and a large plastic one.

PETER. Mother.

KRISTIN. Sweetheart.

PETER. We’re early.

KRISTIN. You are.

PETER. No traffic.

KRISTIN. It’s fine.

PETER. And Trudi wanted to see it before the sun went down.

KRISTIN. Did she?

TRUDI. The drive from London is so beautiful.

KRISTIN. As long as you don’t mind me in my dressing gown.

Pause. PETER and TRUDI put the bags down.

PETER. Mum, this is Trudi.

KRISTIN.Hello, Trudi, you’re American.

TRUDI. I’m from Minnesota.

KRISTIN. I don’t think Peter mentioned that.

PETER. Does it matter?

KRISTIN. Not in the least.

TRUDI. I’ve heard so much about you. And I’ve read your work.

KRISTIN. It’s just a little ironic, that’s all.

PETER. How is it ironic?

KRISTIN. I’m an American too, Trudi.

TRUDI. I know that.

KRISTIN. By birth, not choice. I left the US when I was twenty-two and have made my life in Europe. But America always has a way of tracking me down.

TRUDI. I’m not a drone missile, Mrs Miller.

KRISTIN. Of course you’re not, you look far too sweet. Call me Kristin.

Slight pause.

We have a bit of a crisis on our hands.

PETER. What kind of crisis?

KRISTIN. I need you to look at the oven, sweetheart.

PETER. The oven?

KRISTIN. It just doesn’t feel to me like it’s getting hot enough.

PETER. Have you got something in there now?

KRISTIN. Chicken.

TRUDI. Okay.

PETER. I thought I told you Trudi was a vegetarian.

KRISTIN. There’s potatoes. And vegetables, of course.

TRUDI. I love potatoes.

KRISTIN. But I can’t remember you telling me she was a vegetarian, or an American.

TRUDI. Really, Kristin, it’s fine.

PETER opens the oven.

PETER. It’s not that hot.

KRISTIN. And I’ve put it on full.

PETER. What time is it?

TRUDI. Just turned six.

KRISTIN. I mean we won’t be eating for at least another hour so maybe –

PETER. It doesn’t feel that hot in there.

KRISTIN. Can you look at it?

PETER. Look at it?

KRISTIN. I mean check the electrics, that kind of thing. It might be a switch.

PETER. It’s not a switch and no, I can’t look at it. I mean I wouldn’t know where to start. You need an electrician.

KRISTIN. Tonight of all nights. I wanted everything to be –

PETER. What’s your contingency plan?

KRISTIN. Contingency plan?

PETER. I mean if it doesn’t get any hotter. Pasta, or something?

KRISTIN. The hobs seem to have gone as well. I tried them earlier. I was thinking I could poach it or something. As a last resort. Cut it up and fry it.

PETER. Fry the chicken?

KRISTIN. But the hobs seem to have gone as well. The whole damn thing.

PETER. So what do we do?

KRISTIN. I could drive it over to Phil and Lou’s. Borrow their oven.

PETER. That’s twenty miles away.

KRISTIN. I know that.

PETER. You can’t be driving up and down the motorway with a chicken in the back seat.

KRISTIN. Or we could just have a cold meal. I’m sure I could be inventive. Forage for food in the cupboards, you know. Look for things.

PETER. Look for things?

KRISTIN (looking in the cupboard). T...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Original Production
• A Note on the 2017 Edition
• Dedication
• Characters
• Act One
• Act Two
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information