A dystopian truism which holds up a mirror – but to what exactly?
Four voices, but are they really four individuals?
The piece is envisioned as being presented as if the performers are being filmed/streamed online. Each person has a ring lamp/fill light, bathing their faces in a stark light whilst the background is in darkness. Garish, stark, naked, intrusive, almost threatening
Not written to be funny but if there is any, the observer will find it in the darkness; moreover, within the irony. And there’s a lot to explore. Complex, grotesque, naive in some ways. Complicit, consumed, fervent but also, prophetic. Deceived or deceiving? A deluded narcissist? A convert or a con? Snake oil salesmen? Or is there more? The characters darting in and out, back and forth within the narrative; taunting, tempting. Perhaps one take on the characters might be, Kubrick’s ‘Alex’ meets Bolt’s ‘Common Man’ with Orwell’s ‘Big Brother’ for imagery.
There are interesting opportunities for dress, makeup, style which are not suggested but need to be considered.
Gender of the performers is not a consideration. Probably more suited to being performed by older teenagers/young adults, but equally, there are interesting opportunities if performed by an older age group.
It is a brief piece with messages and themes for today and tomorrow. The intention is that it will be a vehicle within a drama course/educational context to explore the themes as well as the characters and their voices before, during and post-performance.
Running time is approx 10 minutes.
(NB: I wouldn’t further divide the piece up to include additional performers. I feel that to do so would dilute the nature of the writing and any impact it may have)