When the Ligths Went Out

BRIAN- Shakespeare

KATE- Pantomime

ALISON- Musical

DERRICK- Farce

STEVE/ CARL/ PETER/ BRUCE/WORKER

MARIA/ VOICE 2/ ANN MARIE/ CANDACE/NURSE

VOICE 1 & 3/ SOPHIA/ TANYA/REPORTER

Excerpt from When the Lights Went Out

​

​

BRIAN (Appears)

A tremendous amount of work goes into putting on a play. Script selection, casting, staging…

KATE (Appears)

Auditions, learning lines, bashing notes…

ALISON (Appears)

Set design, lighting design, soundscapes…

DERRICK (Appears)

Where do I stand? Where do I move? Why did I move?

ALL

Tuesday March 17th, 2020.

KATE

Just 2 weeks into rehearsals

ALISON

Just 2 weeks until move in.

BRIAN

Just 2 days until read through.

DERRICK

Just 2 days before we open.

ALL

When the lights went out.

NURSE (Appears)

Of their eyes.

ALISON

There would be no songs.

KATE

No cues.

REPORTER (Appears)

No visitors.

DERRICK

No laughter.

BRIAN

No audience.

DERRICK

We stayed home.

WORKER (Appears)

Why can’t we see them?

ALISON

There was nothing to do.

BRIAN

Everything was closed.

KATE

Well, not everything. I still had to work at the grocery store. I’m essential services, didn’t you know?

NURSE

Yes, we are essential services.

ALISON

But that’s okay. It will only last a few months.

WORKER

I don’t think she’ll last the month.

BRIAN

Everything will be back to normal by June.

DERRICK

Okay, by August.

KATE

Maybe September?

DERRICK

Maybe not.

REPORTER

Maybe never.

KATE

I’m so bored. I wish we could be back in the theatre.

ALISON

Standing before an audience.

BRIAN

(Shakespearian)  Once more, under the lights, dear friends.

DERRICK

Breaking the leg.

ALL

And stepping out on stage.