I attended a couple of workshops on adapting Shakespeare recently. The first (with Sapidah Kian) was focussed on creating a piece of physical theatre. The second (with Mark Wilson) was a broader, conceptual approach. During this one we had some time to do some writing. Here the five little ambiguous scenes I wrote. I call it 'Australian Politics'.
SCENE 1
A: It comes.
B: It can't.
A: Too late. It comes.
B: I'm not ready.
A: What do you need? It comes.
B: I don't know.
A: Prepare. It comes.
B: You must stop it.
A: I can't. It comes.
B: How did it star?
A: You were there...and now it comes.
B: What should I do?
A: There is nothing you can do. It comes.
B: When will it get here?
A: You don't know?
B: Do you know?
A: I know it comes.
B: Is that enough?
A: Enough for now.
B: Is now enough?
A: Enough for who?
B: You.
A: You?
B: I need more. It's too soon.
A: Will it ever be the right time?
B: Never.
A: Forever.
SCENE 2
A: Who's turn is it.
B: I threw last.
A: But I threw first.
B: That is irrelevant.
A: We must count backwards.
B: We don't need to go back that far.
A: We must see the whole picture.
B: Just be in the moment.
A: How will we ever know we are right?
B: How can we be wrong?
A: I don't know what to do .
B: We can't just do nothing.
A: But what if we make a mistake?
B: Hesitation is a mistake.
A: Care is required.
B: Stillness is death.
SCENE 3
A: Where are we going?
B: Where are we now?
A: We're not where we were supposed to be.
B: Where is that?
A: Not here.
B: You are here.
A: I am not staying.
B: Where are you going?
A: I don't know.
B: Then how do you know it's not here?
A: What's not here?
B: Whatever it is you are looking for.
A: Who says I am looking for something?
B: You do.
A: I am looking for somewhere.
B: Where are you going?
A: I don't know.
SCENE 4
A: Look at that.
B: What do you see?
A: Can you see it?
B: Point to it.
A: It's there. See?
B: I can't see anything.
A: Open your eyes.
B: I'm scared.
A: You don't know what I am pointing to.
B: That's not what I am afraid of.
A: What are you afraid of?
B: I don't know.
A: Take a risk.
B: Can you die of fright?
A: Can you?
B: My heart is racing.
A: You have nothing to be afraid of.
B: You don't know that.
A: I know you are afraid right now.
B: Yes.
A: If you open your eyes you will see there is nothing to fear.
SCENE 5
A: Just what I was looking for.
B: That's mine.
A: Have you bought it already?
B: Not yet.
A: Then it's not yours.
B: I had my hands on it.
A: Now I have my hands on it.
B: Be a doll.
A: I am nobody's puppet.
B: Let go.
A: Make me.
B: Is this how you behave in public?
A: Is this how you speak to an adult?
B: I want it more than you.
A: How can you possibly know that?
B: It will look better on me.
A: I am not buying it for myself.
B: You are not buying it at all.
Thursday, 15 November 2018
Saturday, 21 October 2017
Hamlet's Rap (in 3/4 time)
Verse 1
Brother
tried to shut my ride
Trifle is
what he said
Toy in
blood, said I lied
He wished
the romance dead
Weigh the
cost, your honour lost
Lose your
heart, your bed
Desire will
kill with one shot
Fear dear sis he said. (No
More)
Now you
dread, reps are smear’d
No hat upon
my head
Hell-boy
now, see us here
You laying
on the bed
Blood all
round, children live
You roast my
wrath instead
Our parents
gone we share this cheer
Take arms
and meet the dead. (No More)
Chorus (female)
How should I
true love know?
Dead and
gone, still a maid
Up he rose,
with no clothes
By cock he
is to blame.
Promised me
rings of gold
Young men
they lie for shame
Words be
breath, breath be bold
My lust
bleeds through my pain.
No More
Verse 2
Sleep in
death, dreams may come
When shuffling
off this world
Whips and
scorn the fair doth strum
I did so
love you. Word!
Don’t
believe when I speak
“I love you
not” I hurl
Why would
you breed to cheat?
An arrant
knave I churl. (No
More)
Play the
fool in my house
I give a
plague, the price
Chaste as
ice, pure as louse
The payment
comes up thrice
Monsters mate
while passion burns
My madness
will suffice
Wed you not
on my return
Though
bleeding love entice. (No
More)
Chorus
Verse 3
Mother
smiles, father gone
Mischief
plays the devil
Poison
laughs, deed is done
Puppet
strings are evil
Start
murder, cry revenge
Hell breathes
out dry weavils
Drink hot
blood, reprehend
I will be
cruel and revel (No
More)
Daggers
speak using none
Incest’ous
fun ‘tween legs
Death
becomes your wicked tongue
Our bloody
deeds leave dregs
Wretched
fool wring your heart
As falseness
rots your weds
Claim your
fire at the start
Stewed your
own misteps. (No
More)
Chorus
Verse 4
Heat and
flame, ulc’rous place
Corruption
lies inbred
Infects
unseen ev’ry face
Confess or
you’ll be dead
Repent the
past, do it now
Avoid what
lies ahead
Assume virtue
somehow
I must be
cruel, blood red. (No
More)
Bad begins,
worse remains
Wanton cheeks
show your mouse
Break your
neck, use your brains
I cannot
trust this house
Trust, it
wears adders fangs
My own
petard is hoist
Lugging
guts, bodies hang
Our future’s
no rejoice (No
More)
Chorus
Coda
Loved you
mum. I’m your son
You left dad
when he died
To bro’s
bed you did run
This sin you
cannot hide
Lia dear,
your chasteness fast
Can no more
you rely
And your dad
too is past
It’s time
for you to die.
Monday, 12 December 2016
When I Grow Up
When I grow up I want to be a model. When I grow up I want to be an actor. No. A film star! At least that's what I thought when I was 10. Primary school is over and I'm not one of the cool kids. Now when I grow up I want to be a fighter pilot - a fashion designer. I know! When I grow up I want to be...The Prime Minister of Australia! The President of the world! The Emperor of the galaxy!!! It's 20 years later now. I have finished high school. I have had a job. I have lost a job. I have lost many jobs. Now when I grow up I want to be a home owner. When I grow up I want to be a parent. When I grow up I want my family to be proud. I want to wake up and not need a nip of scotch. I want to breathe without coughing up a lung. I want more than 50 cents in my bank account. When I grow up I want to... grow up...
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