The piece is written as a monologue, a dystopian truism which holds up a mirror – but to what exactly?
One voice, but is it really an individual?
The piece was originally conceived for being filmed but it should work in any performance setting or context.
The performer is being filmed/streamed online. They have a ring lamp/fill light, bathing their face in a stark light whilst the background and their surroundings are in darkness.
Garish, stark, naked, intrusive, almost threatening.
Not written to be funny but if there is any, the observer should 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? A Snake Oil Salesman?
Or is there more? The character is darting in and out, back and forth within the narrative; taunting, tempting. Perhaps one take on the character 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.
It might be worth also considering opportunities for additional visuals if facilities permit. Images flashing up for a moment (on a screen behind the performers?) representative of the text, their thoughts, their issues.
It is a brief piece but has messages and themes for today and tomorrow.
Footnotes are included within the script at the appropriate places to reference some of the terms used which are (mis)quotes or intentional aberrations of the original.
Running time is approx. 10 minutes.
Gender of the performer is not a consideration.
Please use the contact page for further information.
NB: The piece could be very easily presented by several voices/performers without any changes to the text making it ideal for a drama class/educational setting.