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‘Big Al’ is taking a bus journey to Whitby.
It is a journey he has waited his whole life to take.
He is an innocent abroad and clearly, an innocent to so much more.
During his trip he speaks to an unseen fellow passenger about his journey and unsurprisingly, as is the case with so many passengers, he talks about more than the view. As his journey twists and turns, so do his disclosures and eventually, the reason for it is laid bare, as is his life and his plans for it.
‘Last Bus to Whitby’ is a play about resonance and honesty with oneself; about finding peace. It explores in a gentle, innocent and bygone way, how happiness and self-fulfilment, do not, for some, require other people or wealth to make them a reality. All it sometimes needs is a stranger to listen and the opportunity to talk. But life’s journey sometimes hands us the most unexpected of opportunities to find our own perfect moment and within it, much needed clarity and peace of mind. And clarity of mind can be found in the most surprising of places.
Even the 840 bus to Whitby.
Although a continuous one act play, it is divided up into five ‘chapters’ as indicated in the printed script. (Those 'chapters' are titled at the counter times shown below):
"Did a lot of sighing did Father.”
“I consider townsfolk the most egregious of types.” (11.00 minutes)
“I bloody hated haddock” (20.45 minutes)
“Tick tock, tick tock." (30.45 minutes)
“I am the happiest man alive.” (36.33 minutes)
I am indebted to the actor Ian Perks for his time and skill in performing this role for the audio recording.
Thoughts on the character
He is over 50 and this is evident in the nature and structure of the language, the references he uses. The dialogue provides a flavour of his closed world and upbringing, cosseted by the traditional values of his parents. He has a strong accent. He is ‘old fashioned’ in manner and bearing, older than his years, almost innocent and with a painfully simple and upbeat disposition. He is uncomplicated, gentle, naïve, warm, sincere, sensitive and unreservedly honest – an open book. Losing himself at times in the moment, in the view, in the journey; of what was and what could have been. In resolution, his solution to obtaining closure and happiness reveal a glimpse into the turmoil many suffer through loneliness, through loss and tragically, the extent they will go to in "finding peace." Normalising his decisions and actions by sanitising and romanticising them and finally, self-justifying the true nature of his journey. Hopefully, it illustrates that mental health issues co-exist with so many of us at some time in our lives. For some, they remain concealed in plain sight. Even from themselves.
Description
A one act play with a running time of approx 45 minutes. Although written for a male character, the piece is not gender-specific and it may be adapted for performance by anybody with minor adjustments to the text. No formal set is required and therefore, it is very simple to stage. This piece is also suited to be performed as a radio play without alteration. NB: An alternative version of this play, set in Eire is also available: 'Last Bus To Moher.' Use the contact page for further information.
The view that inspired a play
Please note that the script for the original play is contained within the published collection from the author, 'The First Ten Plays' which can be obtained at cost price from this site by going to the 'In Print’ tab.