C'est La Vie

Ok guys, here is the second piece for my creative writing portfolio to university. As I am restricted to only four pages in total, I have had to limit the amount I write for this play; this is not all of it! But I hope you enjoy it all the same! 

Production Notes

The Screen Device: Throughout the play, this image must be stationed hanging in the air, to the back of the stage. It should be large enough so that every member in the audience can see every detail, down to the very last car. With this, I hope that the main focus of the play remains with the audience throughout its duration; additionally adding to the visualisation of the play’s location. No other scenery must be used as the minimalism contributes to the plays reception and meaning.  

The Music: When the audience arrive, throughout the duration of the play, and until the audience leave, the sound of a traffic jam should be played. This should include: the constant humming of many engines, the sound of horns tooting in frustration, the distant shouts of angry, weary travellers. The music should not be too loud, more like one would reminisce a distant memory: quiet and not overbearing. Much like the Screen Device, this will provide a greater depth of realism and minimalism.

Costumes: Every character must wear a combination of black and white clothing. The only character whose clothes must be comprised of specific attire is Teller: who must be garbed in black trousers, black shoes, a white T-shirt and a long black Mackintosh. The other characters attire is not specific, just black and white.

Lighting: The lighting of the play should be dark, with only spotlights to illuminate characters when talking. The Screen Device should be lit at all times.

The Play

Act one-

Teller enters the stage, seemingly ignorant of the audiences’ presence. He motions towards the image at the back of the stage, sauntering in a lazy fashion. He stands sideways to the audience and the image, as if torn between the two, yet does no lift gaze from the image.

Teller: Good evening everyone! I say good evening even though we may be in the midst of a blazing summer afternoon, or the beginning of a bitter winter’s day; yet here, we are shrouded in evening’s dying glow… I apologise if you find my speech drowned amongst this sea of engines and horns, but who am I to prevent all these people of their futile journey?

It is humorous! We live in a society where man can traverse the globe in hours; but here, even an inch of advancement is enough to celebrate… [Whispered] C’est la vie! [He moves swiftly from the image and stands at the front of the stage] I apologise! Where are my manners? My name is Teller; I am not part of this play as such, although you may refer to me as your humble narrator, your director of direction, the composer of dreams. [He bows, then hurries back to the image and continues to stare at it] Whilst I have been alive on this Earth, I have learned a great deal. Yes the typical things: five times six is thirty, Shakespeare wrote many plays and the world has engaged in two world wars (so far), but the most valued aspect of life in which I have learnt a great deal about, is this: human beings have a large aptitude for ignorance. [He turns away from the image again, and runs to the front of the stage] All through life we float from cloud to cloud searching for a multitude of things. For some it may be fame, others wealth, while few will just be content with acceptance… We drift through our stages of life focused on our needs and wants, concealed within our self-contained bubble of naivety and greed. Take these people for example [He throws his hand towards the image] each is concerned with reaching their final destination, entrapped within their metal shells. They sit amongst an expanse of beings in the same situation yet; have no consideration for their fellow human…

This evening I shall present to you a slither of life, a fraction of non-fiction, a piece of the picture. [He runs back toward the image] You will experience the lives of a few of these people the very second this image was captured in time. [Slowly exists off stage] I shall return when your journey has ended, farewell for now… [He exits the stage, the music grows louder]

Act 2-

The stage is dark, with only the image illuminated. The music begins to return to its original volume as three characters enter the stage, lit by a single spotlight. A man, Simon, precedes the trio, with two children, Elizabeth and George, following behind. They stop in the middle of the stage: Simon standing at the front, his hands clutching onto an invisible steering wheel, with Elizabeth and George behind him standing side by side. The formation forms a sort of triangle.

Elizabeth and George are arguing loudly, their words blending together to create an incomprehensible din. A look of frustration and fatigue contorts Simon’s face.

Simon [glaring into the non-existent windscreen mirror]: Will you two just shut the fuck up for two seconds? I have had it with your constant arguing! It’s bad enough to be stuck in this traffic, let alone with two screaming kids making my migraine worse as well!

Elizabeth [Sounding as if she will burst into tears]: We, we, we’re sorry Daddy! George won’t stop poking me-

Simon: I don’t care what George is doing! Just shut up!

George: Don’t talk to her like that! She’s only five!

Simon: You can shut your mouth as well! Don’t you dare talk back to me like that!

[They sit in silence for a few seconds; Elizabeth sniffs loudly attempting not to erupt into tears. Simon exhales deeply before beginning to talk]

Simon: Look, I’m sorry for snapping and swearing at you. I’ve just been a little touchy recently and this traffic is not helping. Once we get to Grandma’s and get the funeral stuff sorted everything should be back to how it was.

George: But how can it when Mum’s not here?

Simon: I know it’s been difficult these past few weeks, but we need to be strong for each other. [Simon turns around to face his children] You need to be a responsible big brother for your sister. That means trying not to annoy her. Before you know it everything will be better, just wait and see…

[The spotlight on the characters dims down, and they exit the stage.]

Act 3-

A woman enters the stage with one hand to her ear as if on the phone, and the other on an invisible steering wheel. She stops in the same place as the previous characters.

Ann [Shouting in a rage]: Tell them I want it finished by Monday or they can find another job to waste their time in… [She is silent for a few seconds] I don’t care if he’s already over seeing two other projects, we can’t afford to lose these clients; they account for over a quarter of our revenue! [Becomes silent again] I have had enough of these excuses! If I don’t see any plans on my desk by tomorrow, he can consider himself unemployed!

[She takes her non-existent mobile from her ear and dials another number] Yes? Hello? Is Mr Weller there? He’s already in the meeting?! Tell him I will be right there, I'm stuck in traffic… [She becomes silent for a few seconds] I'm sorry? He said what? Look this isn't my fault! No! Tell him I can sort this out! No, please don’t do this! I need this contact otherwise how can I continue the business? Hello? Are you still there? [She screams and throws the non-existent mobile to the ground, then begins to sob.]

The light dims out and Ann exits the stage.