The Scottish Play
Copyright (c) 2005, 2006 by Edward J. Thomas, all rights reserved
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Original Production
By Broadway Onstage Live Theatre
April 16 - May 15, 2010
Directed by Dennis Wickline
Original Cast
TY BERANGHAM - Dennis Wickline
KEVIN SAUNDERS - Rick Mason
LYDIA DUNN - Maureen Cook
COLLETTE MAENDAR - Christy Cannon
JEFF DAVIDSON - John Arden McClure
ALBERT TRAYNOR - Donald Couture
STU WILLIAMS - Charley Davis
SYNOPSIS
Comedy
5 men, 2 women
A small community theatre attempts to do Shakespeare's Macbeth with a washed-up, alcoholic director, an overdramatic lead actor with a Romeo complex, a highly superstitious lead actress, an overly ambitious actress who plays all three witches at once, and two other less-than-stellar actors who must portray the two dozen or so other roles.
LYDIA
Didn't you hear him, Al? Don't interrupt him.
AL
But we're short a good 20 people.
TY
If we had a good 20 people, none of you would be here. Nevertheless, as I said, you're the ones who auditioned. Had there been a bigger turnout, I'd have cast more people. I am working on filling out the rest of the cast as we speak.
STU
Wow, you are talented. Talking to us and casting at the same time?
TY
Thank you, er, whatever your name is. Quite obviously an Oxford graduate. In the meantime, we'll have to read the other parts in. Now, it's time we started.
(He moves around the table to sit next to JEFF)
As you may or may not know, I don't believe in read-thrus. I like to get rehearsals started on the first day, particularly when I have a ton of work to do, and I have a ton of work to do with you lot. That being said, open up your scripts and we can begin.
AL
But, uh, Ty?
TY
What is it, uh, you?
AL
It's Al.
TY
Congratulations.
AL
Thanks. Um, we don't have any scripts.
TY
What?
(To JEFF)
Didn't you give them any?
(To the others)
None of you have scripts?
KEVIN
I do.
TY
Yes, that I know. And it's only because you were standing on my porch at 11:00 at night.
JEFF
I thought you said he delivered it to you personally.
KEVIN
He did. On his porch.
TY
So why don't the rest of them have scripts, Jeff?
JEFF
Because you told me you wanted to hold them and hand them out yourself.
TY
And why don't you tell me these things?
JEFF
Uh... Well...
TY
Never mind.
(He opens his bag and starts pulling out scripts)
I just so happen to have them with me. Use them in good health.
(LYDIA, COLLETTE, AL and STU each come up and take a script)
TY (Cont'd)
From the top, then, people! Clear the stage!
(The actors scatter to the edges of the stage. TY and JEFF each open their own scripts)
TY (Cont'd)
All right, Act One, Scene One. I need witches! Witches onstage!
(COLLETTE moves to the middle of the stage)
COLLETTE
Well, Witch Number One is here. Where are my sisters?
TY
Being cast. We'll plug on without them. And... action!
COLLETTE
(Reading from her script)
When shall we three meet again?
TY
Hold it!
COLLETTE
What?
TY
I'm not liking it.
COLLETTE
Not liking what?
TY
Your delivery.
COLLETTE
What's wrong with it?
TY
It sounds like you're reading it.
COLLETTE
Well, there's a reason for that.
TY
I knew there had to be. And what is it?
COLLETTE
The fact that I was reading it.
TY
Yes, and it isn't at all believable.
COLLETTE
Well, this is the first time I've seen the full script.
TY
I'm not looking for excuses. I need character. Give me some character or don't bother.
COLLETTE
But Ty, I'm--
TY
I just said no excuses. Now start over, and no reading.
COLLETTE
No reading?
TY
No reading.
COLLETTE
But I don't have it memorized.
