Devised Monologue: The Wishing Star

Setting: In my bedroom holding a stuff toy and cushion in hands. (BLACKBOX)
Action/ Directions: Running into the set, CRYING. Plunge down onto a mattress/ bed with many toys and flowers on it; after hearing that I can’t get to the party.

(Excited) Shooting star part- Shooting Star!
Runs up to the window, tries to grab the star and bows head immediately to wish upon it.

You see, I heard wishing upon stars work. Esp. Shooting stars. They’re the best ever!! At least, I believe in them. They’re my night- time companions and no matter what, I know they are always by my side, making miracles happen, AND sometimes, even makes my dreams come true. I don’t know how much power they have, but it seems to me that they are REALLY magical.. magical.
“ Dreaming's not so hard, once you've found your shooting star”
(Hopes) (Leans toward the window and look out) Know what, stars? (Sighs) I don’t know why.. but.. but adults are the same.. They don’t understand what we really want!

(Sighs) You know one of my best friends, Megan? She’s going to have a REALLY REALLY BIG birthday party in her bungalow. She’ll be seven just like me! She says that it will be like a mini fun fair! and and and.. There will be my favourite candies, balloons and EVEN a clown..!! Megan promised we could go into her room to play with the MANY MANY MANY collections of Barbie Dolls she has; which includes the latest Barbie princess!! (Holds up the stuff toy and look at it) You know, It’s worth at least a thousand dollars! A THOUSAND DOLLARS! and you see (Mystic) she’s only inviting ALL her special friends; (Excited) INCLUDING ME!!


(Sighs) BUT… but when I handed the invitation card to my mummy and asked “ Can I go to the party next Sunday? Can I Can I Can I?”

All she said was “ No, my dear… you see… you might get ITCHY FINGERS again. Don’t ask so much alright, just go for your class”

(Angry/Sad) The workshop is JUST- An excuse, HER excuse!
When my elder sister asked my mother whether she could go out, my mum always says, “YES”. But… now…

I don’t know why but… but… adults are all the SAME. They don’t understand what we little girls really WANT! She doesn’t give me enough money to buy what I want. My friends.. they have EVERYTHING you name…. And you see, there’s once, Megan said I could borrow her Barbie doll, so I took it and just didn’t return it back to her. She didn’t even ask about it anymore. So, what is wrong with that? Mummy doesn’t understand! She even says, I nee medication and counseling, I mean… I think SHE’S the one who needs it, NOT ME! When we go to the supermarkets and departmental stores, I usually get to see Mr. Policeman. He’s suit is so nice. Mum says I’m in big big trouble BUT NO, I don’t think so. How can it be? It can’t be! I still feel so happy… so how can one be happy when one’s in big big trouble? Mummy’s LYING!

(Laughs) Adults say it’s bad to lie… Then, why do they still want to lie? Anyways, it’s their entire fault! Like, they put so many teddy bears on display shelves, all looking at me… I can see from the teddy’s eyes that he wants me to bring him home… And, I love teddy so much, so all I did was to take him off the shelves, and cuddle him home. So why are they blaming me? I am just adopting it… Actually, I think I can open an adoption agency!

Stars, know what? I really really really want to get to the party!! Cross my hearts!! I have been a very good girl. Putting on my best behaviour, doing all my homework and even helping out with the housework. You’ve got to help me, stars! I know you can help me… You can!! I’m sure you can!! You can… (Softly) you can… you can… just make mum allow me to go for it.

(Look up at the stars) (Sadly and a little disappointed) Why are adults just the same? Is it for our good? Why can’t they accommodate sometimes? Just once…… (MUSIC IS PLAYED; at 3:58 and slowly fates off)

Black Out

Drama Devised Group Piece – “Older & Wiser"

CAST:

Pauline Teo: Mother-in-law (MIL)
Jason Teo: Son (S)
Grace Cheong: Daughter-in-law (DIL)
Dr Kwong/ Master Huang: Doctor/fortune teller (D)

Scene 1

Grace is busy with housework in the living room…dusting the bookshelves and tables when the doorbell rings. She grumbles as she makes her way to answer the door.

DIL: Master Huang? ( surprised) You’re early.

D: (chuckles) I didn’t expect my appointment with my previous client to end a lot earlier. If it’s not convenient..

DIL: No no. Please come in. ( D enters house with a briefcase in hand and DIL closes the door while D goes to sit on the sofa inside.) I feel bad for making you come all the way to my doorstep. You see.. I was afraid I wouldn’t be back home in time to give lessons to my tutee later on. I’m sorry.

(Takes out an angpao/ red packet)

DIL : Here’s something for your..your traveling expenses.

D: Oh. (with a gleam in her eye.. then she pretends to hesitate) I mean no. I can’t possibly take this. As long as I can help you solve your problems, I’ll be satisfied.

DIL: No. I insist. Take it.

D: Well… then.. I suppose I shall! ( with a big grin) Shall we start? What’s the problem now?

DIL: I don’t know. My husband has been sick for quite some time now. He’s been having a nasty cough that causes him to wheeze and cough all night. Nothing I do seems to be working! I went to the temple, got some spirit-filled spices and made him bathe in it; I made him drink spirit-filled water everyday and even got a spirit-filled monk AND a spirit-filled priest to pray for him as well as a spirit-filled amulet to keep him safe! But his condition only seemed to have worsened.

D: Ahh..so this is where I come in.. hmmm.. well, I’ll see what I can do to help your husband and cure him of his er..cough. It might require a rather..hmm..rather large sum of…

DIL: Money? Sure sure, as long as you can cure him.

D: Excellent! Hmmm…( D gets up and begins ‘inspecting’ every corner of the house carefully) so how long have you been living in this house?

DIL: Well, I don’t own this house. It belongs to my mother-in-law. My husband and I moved in as soon as we got married.

D: Ahhh, I see. Do you have a photograph of her? I sense some evil..dark spirits around in this house..waiting to suck all the life out of your husband. . The root of the problem just might lie with its owner.

DIL: Hang on there. I think I do.

( DIL rummages through the shelves while D continues looking around the house, seemingly engrossed in her spiritual calculations..)

( Then, the doorbell rings.. DIL runs to answer the door.)

DIL: Wait up! (opens the door and MIL stands at the doorstep, carrying many bags of groceries) Mum! Oh hi you’re home.

MIL: Yes I woke up early this morning and decided to go grocery shopping. Waaah.. things are getting more and more expensive. I bought two Ikan Kuning fish for $12.90 and one packet of Kailan and Bean sprouts each cost me $5. Aiyo. And..

DIL: Mum, we have a visitor?

MIL: (finally notices D) OH. Sorry. Forgive me for not noticing you earlier. Your friend? ( gestures to DIL). Sit down. I’ll get you both a drink. ( smiles hospitably at D)

D: (appears to be oblivious to what MIL is saying.) So this is your Mother-in-law? (examines MIL) Thick eyebrows. Wide forehead. One huge mole at the temple! And JADE GREEN EYES?? It’s a terrible foresight the gods have put in my vision. It’s happening. I feel it getting stronger. Be appeased spirits. Spirits! (D chokes on his saliva)

DIL: Are you alright? Master Huang!

MIL: ( looks shocked) I’ll get her a glass of water. ( hurries out of the living room but eavesdrop on DIL and D’s conversation at the same time.)

DIL: Master? Master?

D: Your..your.. mother-in-law can’t live with your son. She’ll bring bad luck to him. Such bad luck, that might even…that might..

DIL: that might cause him his life??!

D: ( nods quickly) I’ve never witnessed such a terrible situation before, ever, in my life. Your mother-in-law can’t stay here. You must get her to leave as soon as possible. Then only will your husband will recover! Heed my advice. As soon as possible. ( D wags her finger at DIL and continues spluttering. Choking on his words and clutching her chest.) I must get out of here. The evil is too strong for me. ( grabs her briefcase and prepares to walk out of the house.)

DIL: Wait!

MIL: Mam! Your water! (hurries to D)

D: No! You stay away from me. Witch. ( she leaves the house herself)

DIL: Master Huang!! (Looks desperately at the opened door and turns back to MIL) Mother, pack your bags. You have to leave.

MIL: (looks appalled and stunned.) What? You can’t be serious! Leave MY house?

Blackout.

Scene 2

S and DIL are sititng around in the living room. S is reading the newspapers and DIL is making some coffee.

DIL: Darling, I know its difficult for you but I had to make her go. She had to. I did it for your own good.

S: I know. * Coughs* But she’s my mother and this is HER house. I don’t know if what we’re doing is right..you know..retribution? *coughs *

DIL: Hahaha oh darling, don’t be silly. She’s doing you a good deed by keeping away. And look at you! Still not feeling any better?

S: *Coughs hysterically*

(phone rings)
MIL: Hello?

DIL: Hello, Grace speaking?

MIL: Son? * S still coughing in the background*

S: Its okay darling, I’ve got it. * Coughs* (shouts over to Grace in the other room)
DIL: Alright honey!

(DIL was about to put down the phone. Instead, she covers the mouthpiece and listens to their conversation.)

MIL: Son? Meet me at the Family Clinic within an hour. You heard me? The Marine Parade Family Clinic.

S: What? Why?

MIL: Don’t shoot me questions. Just do what I say!

S: Mom?

MIL: And don’t let your wife know about this.

S: I’m not going until you tell me what is going on. * Coughs *

MIL: You see? Sighh.. My poor son, suffering with that wicked unfilial daughter-in-law of mine.. Still coughing so badly. Okay. If you still regard me as your mother, you will do what I tell you to do. Come alright. See you at Gleneagles.

(Pauline hangs up the phone. Jason looks at the phone confusingly. He then hangs up the phone.)

DIL: What is this old hag up to this time? Sigh. Let’s just see what she has to say for herself this time.
(DIL hangs up the phone.)

Black out.

Scene 3 (Doctor’s Room)

A doctor is seated behind a long desk , busy flipping through his patient’s medical history file.

Voice from behind the stage: Dr. Kwong, the next patient is waiting to see you.

D: Let him in.

S: Good afternoon doctor. *coughs *

D: Good afternoon, please be seated.

MIL: Son, you sit here. It’s less cold.

S: Thanks mum. But I’m alright with sitting her---e
MIL: You sit HERE. ( points to seat on the right)

S: Okay.

(DIL secretly eavesdrops from outside the room.)

DIL: So this is what they are up too. Trying out Western methods and medicine? I’ve never believed in Western solutions. Stupid old hag. Let’s see what happens next.

D: Well then.. What’s wrong with you?

S: Oh, it is just a cough. Nothing much. *coughs *

MIL: Oh don’t lie Jason. Anyone can tell it’s not just an ordinary cough. Doctor, he has been having a cough for quite some time now, and it just won’t go away. In fact, it has gotten worse. You’d better find a way to treat or I shall..

S: Mother!

MIL: I heard him wheezing quite a number of times too. And recently, he has been developing some kind of.. how do I put it? He has..

(MIL pauses and looks at the doctor.)

D: Wait, mam. Let me conduct a check up alright? Hmm… (does a check up on S) Open your mouth.. Breath…Inhale deeply. Try doing this ( gestures to mouth) Ahhhh. Hmmm.. doesn’t look so good. Well, from all the symptoms you have describe earlier and from what I’ve observed , I suspect your son mam, has pneumonia. And it seems to be a rather serious case. ( turns to S) Why didn’t you come to see a doctor earlier? ( turns back to his notes) But before I confirm his medical condition, I will need to do some more tests on him in the adjacent room so that it-

(Doctor looks up for the first time. MIL and D stare at each other for a while. The doctor quickly looks back at his paper.)

MIL: You look strangely familiar. Haven’t we met before?

D: Oh? I ..I .. have a common face. That’s what everybody here says.. You might have thought that you’d seen me at the market but then again you’d think that you’d also seen me in a courtroom.. You know…people…with common faces??

(Just then, DIL barges into the room)

DIL: Ahh, Mum, what a surprise! I should have known you’d resort to sneaky means to get close to Jason. You get away from him now, you.. you.. you can’t stay anywhere near him. ( pulls S up from his seat. Then she notices D and she pauses) Master Huang?!! Oh my goodness! What are you doing here?? In this attire..? In this hospital..? …you.. you!

MIL: Oh my goodness. You ARE that fortune teller! Aren’t you? Why. You are the fortune teller that got me chased out of the house!

MIL and DIL: What are you doing here?

D: (Smiles sheepishly.)

MIL: (pulls S out of the room with her, leaving DIL and D behind inside the room) Son, let’s get out of here. This doctor’s a dope.

DIL: (remains stunned and continues staring at D in disbelief) So, how should I address you?

Blackout.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE - CHIJ KC SEC 1 DRAMA RECRUITMENT DRIVE 2008

Samantha performed in this self-devised abstract piece, by her school teacher.

It was performed in the school's BLACK BOX.

Samantha acted as a 'Cinderalla' Story Teller.

The performance was done repeatedly, 7 times in a row, due to different Secondary 1 students coming in class by class, with a total of 7 classes.

Drama Devised Group Piece – “Cycles”

CAST:

Part I (The Office)
The Boss, Elizabeth Wong (Michelle)
The Secretary, Jennifer Lee (Leslie)
The New Intern – Amelia Lim (Samantha)

Part II (The Home)
The Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Wong Snr (Sophie)
The Daughter-in-Law, Elizabeth Wong (Michelle)
The Daughters, Zelda (Leslie) and
Zoey (Samantha)


Part I Scene 1

[Lights fade in. It is 8 in the morning and Newbie (N) is going through the mail at her desk on stage R. The Secretary (S) appears behind her.]

S: Hey!

[N jumps in fright.]

N: What are you doing here?

S: It’s eight o’clock. I’m here to work.

N: Oh. Right.

[awkward silence]

S: So! What’s in the mail? Anything for me?

N: [rifles through] Nothing much…electricity bill, invitations, bank statements…the usual.

S: You look ill.

N: [hurriedly] It’s nothing. Stress, I suppose.

S: Ah. So, how’re you finding working here? You’ve been here…let’s see. A month?

N: Yes. It’s…ehm…very enriching. I’ve learnt a lot.

S: Like how to use a coffee machine without spraying boiling water all over the kitchen?

N: [looks embarrassed] Don’t remind me!

[Suddenly they pause. Footsteps are heard. They quickly rush back to their seats.]

[The Boss (B) enters from upstage L. She stalks in, places her bag on the desk, and proceeds to open a few files as though checking documents. Suddenly she frowns and marches over to N’s table.]

B: You there. [gestures to N]

N: Yes ma’am? Do you need something?

B: Where’s my coffee?

N: Right here. [picks up a mug from the table and passes it to her]

B: Hmm. [takes a sip]

How many spoons of sugar did you put inside?

N: Two, like you said.

B: Two? I told you to put in only one!

N: I’m so sorry, Mrs. Wong – I’ll make you another cup-

B: NO! [slams mug on table] Do you have any idea what you’ve done? I’m not supposed to consume more than two teaspoons of sugar a day!

N: Mrs. Wong, ma’am, I’m really sorry-

B: And it’s not just the sugar. The whole thing tastes like dishwater! Are you hopeless or what? Must I teach you how to do every single thing?

N: Ma’am, I’m so sorry, please forgive me, it won’t happen again-

B: It had better not! I mean, good Lord, you’re a university graduate! I didn’t hire you for your absolute idiocy! And yet you can’t even do something so simple…

[B’s rant is interrupted by her mobile phone ringing.]

B: [over the phone, in a sugary sweet voice]

Yes? Why, hello Mr. Newman. Is there anything I can do? Yes? Your daughter’s wedding? At the Plaza on the 24th? [gestures to S to take the message down] Why, that’s absolutely lovely. I shall call you back soon and let you know. Thank you so much. No, thank you. See you soon.

ends call

B: Where was I? Oh, yes. Your…skills. Or should I say lack of them.

N: Please, ma’am…with all due respect, I’m sure you told me to put in two spoons.

B: Who do you think you are, challenging me?

N: I didn’t mean it that way, ma’am-

B: [holds up her hand to silence her]

You’d better not have. I do not tolerate incompetence or impertinence in my employees, Amelia. And you have just demonstrated to me how adept you are at both.

Count yourself lucky, my dear. I’m in a charitable mood today. I will allow you to make me another cup of coffee. And this time, you will count every single grain that you put inside. Is that clear?

N: Yes, Mrs. Wong.

B: Good.

[B walks back to her desk. N sighs and begins to make another cup.]


Part I Scene 2

[S walks over to N’s desk.]

S: Sorry you had to experience that.

N: Is she always like that?

S: Almost always. To be frank with you, you got off lightly.

N: I did? You mean that’s considered light?

S: By her usual standards, yes.

N: Oh my.

S: Yup. [winces] Nothing compared to the one she gave me once.

N: Ouch.

S: You’ll get used to it, though. You have to if you want to keep your job.

N: It doesn’t sound pleasant.

I’m so glad you’re here, Jen. You’ve been so nice to me. [moves a bit closer]

S: Umm, thank you.

N: No, really. I bet we’ll become as close as sisters.[moves even closer and giggles]

S: Umm, okay. That would be, umm, nice. [looks a bit uncomfortable.]

I, umm, have to get back to work now. Nice talking to you.

N: My pleasure. [smiles to herself]


Part I Scene 3

B: JENNIFER!

S: Yes, Mrs. Wong?

B: Where are the reports on the investments I asked you for?

S: Umm, I’m not done, ma’am. I’m really sorry. I’ll get them finished by the end of today.

B: That long? How much time have you spent on these so far?

S: About two days. I’ve finished five of the seven reports you asked for.

B: Only? You should have finished yesterday!

S: No offence intended, ma’am, but with all due respect you also asked me to run quite a number of errands for you as well-

B: Ones that you can’t even finish? What is wrong with this company? Are all my employees really so idiotic? I expected better of you, Jennifer! Especially after that hopeless intern and my coffee this morning-

S: [to herself] It wasn’t really her fault.

B: What did you say?

S: Nothing, Mrs. Wong.

B: Don’t lie to me! I heard you. You were commenting on the intern, weren’t you?

S: [looks defiant] And so what if I was?

B: How dare you! I’m your boss! And you…a mere secretary! How ungrateful can you get? I’ve been so tolerant of all your mistakes these past few years, I’ve overlooked your mistakes and paid out your salary each month-

S: Which is no more than a smidgen of what you earn! I have the same qualifications as you do, Mrs. Wong. Just like you, I’m a graduate. Just like you, I worked hard to get my degree. We’re both educated women – I’m worth just as much as you are!

B: I think my patience has made you conceited, Jennifer. Let me make this clear: you will be quiet and do whatever I expect you to. Do not think that having the same qualifications makes you my equal. I am your boss and you work for me. That is the fundamental difference that you obviously seem to have forgotten. [In the background, the phone starts ringing.]

S: The only difference between us is that I don’t have a rich husband like yours.

B: [pauses] What exactly are you trying to imply?

S: Don’t think I don’t know that if not for your husband, you would be the one working for me instead. A rich, powerful husband certainly has his uses, doesn’t he?

B: You little- [raises her hand to slap S]

[Just then, the phone stops ringing and goes into answerphone mode. The message plays out to the entire office.]

Voiceover: Mrs. Wong, this is Claire Tham from the Singapore General Hospital. I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. Your husband has been in a car accident and has suffered severe head trauma…he’s in a critical condition and on life support….I’m very sorry. Please call me back as soon as you get this message. Thank you.

[Blackout.]

[During the transition from Part I to Part II, the following voiceover plays in the darkened room:]

Transition Voiceover: Dear friends, we are gathered here today to remember and celebrate the life of Mr. Lionel Wong. He was a kind and hardworking boss, a doting father and a loving husband…[fades off as Amazing Grace plays in the background.]


Part II Scene 1

[Lights fade in. The scene has changed to that of the Wong family household. Elizabeth Wong (EW), Zoey (ZO) and Zelda (ZE) are sitting on the couch. EW is trying to talk to her children.]

EW: Is Grandma around, dears?

[ZO says “no”. ZE shakes her head, not looking up from her book. EW heaves a sigh of relief and is about to say something when her Mother –in –law, Mrs. Wong Snr. (MW) walks in.]

MW: Hello, darlings!

ZO: GRANDMA! [runs to her]

ZE: Hey, Gran.

MW: Why don’t you go get us something to drink, Elizabeth? Your children look so thirsty. Haven’t you been giving them enough water? It’s very bad for children to get dehydrated. Didn’t you know this?

[ZO and ZE shout out their ‘orders’.]

EW: What?

MW: It’s the least you could do to make up for all the hours at the office you spent neglecting them. [“Jokingly” to the children] Sometimes I think your mother loves her work more than she loves you.
[To Elizabeth] Well, what are you waiting for?

[Elizabeth exits and enters again quickly with the drinks. As she re-enters with the drinks in hand, she spills some on MW.]

MW: You careless- [sighs] That was one of my best cheongsams! Look at you. You can’t even carry a glass of water without spilling it!

EW: I’m sorry – I’ll get it laundered for you-

MW: You, touch my cheongsam? You’d probably make the stain worse! Good grief. What do they teach you women nowadays? If I had been your mother…I must say, it’s quite shameful! You’re a grown woman. And you can’t even balance a glass of water. I tell you…

[ZE stands up.]

ZE: Gran, may I be excused?

MW: Such good manners. [softly, to EW] She certainly didn’t learn those from you.

Run along, dear. We’ll let your mother clean up. [smirks and leads the children out of the room, leaving EW alone. Lights fade out.]


Part II Scene 2

[Lights fade in for the next scene. MW, ZO and ZE are on the couch at home.]

ZO: I miss Daddy, grandma.

MW: So do I.

ZE: When’s mom coming home?

MW: Your mother is a very busy woman.

ZE: She’s always busy. [MW smirks.]

ZO: I want mummy.

MW: [Abruptly] Let’s do something different.

ZE: I’m hungry.

MW: Well, then, I can go get you something to eat. What would you like?

ZE: Have we got any cookies?

MW: Sure, darling. You can have anything you want when Grandma’s around.

ZO: Not like mummy. She never lets me eat sweets before dinner!

MW: Don’t worry. You can have as many as you want, dear. Remember, Grandma loves you!

[Fade out.]


Part II Scene 3

[ Lights fade in., Elizabeth Wong enters. Mrs. Wong Snr., is sitting at the other end of the room. She is holding one of her deceased son’s possessions – a shirt.]

[Awkward silence. Both parties stare at each other for a while. Elizabeth puts her briefcase on a chair. Mrs. Wong looks at her.]

MW: You look fine.

EW: [Sarcastically] I feel great. I mean-

MW: You feel great?

EW: No- I didn’t mean it that way-

MW: So what do you really mean? My son died less than a week ago, and you feel great? [EW tries to say something but MW cuts in.] I knew from the start you were a phony.

EW: What? I-

MW: You only married my son for his money and don’t think I don’t know it. All along, it was his money and prestige you wanted! The only reason you might be disappointed now is that I didn’t die before him – or even with him.

EW: That’s what you think! I loved him, I really did-

MW: You did? You don’t still love him now? What a surprise. For someone who pledged to love my son till the day he died and even after his death, through sickness and health, through riches and poverty? For someone whose husband just died, you look remarkably composed.

EW: Just because I don’t show emotion doesn’t mean I don’t feel it. You don’t know half of what I’ve been through.

[Just then, Zelda comes in. She is busy messaging on her cell phone. Both of the older women stare at her.]

EW: Hi, darling.

ZE: [not looking up from her hand phone] Mmmm.

MW: Hello, dear. Are you feeling all right? Would you like a drink?

ZE: No thanks gran. I’m all right.

MW: All right then. Go and get changed. We’re going out for dinner.

EW: Go out? Why can’t we eat at home?

MW: There’s nothing to eat at home. And no one [looks at EW] to cook it.

ZE: Aww, I miss Dad’s cooking.

MW: Yes, don’t we all? [shoots another look at EW]

[From the back, footsteps of a child running are heard.]

ZO: MUMMMYYYYYYYYY! WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

[Zoey skips into the room.]

MW: Go get changed, sweetheart. We’re going out to eat.

ZO: Oh-kay!

[EW, ZO and ZE walk towards the door. ZO and ZE walk ahead, with ZO irritating ZE and trying to distract her from her hand phone. As EW tries to leave, MW stops her.]

MW: Who said anything about you going?

EW: I’m their mother!

MW: A mother who can’t sew, or cook, or even care for her children?

EW: But I provide for them! I worked all those long nights so I could put food on the table-

MW: Food alone will not sustain your children. Love will. And obviously, you haven’t been giving too much of that.

[Just then, the children come in. They are dressed and ready to go out.]

MW: Oh, hello, darlings. I’ll go get the car.

[MW, ZO and ZE begin walking towards the exit.]

EW: [under her breath] It’s no wonder your husband left you.

[MW continues walking but at the last minute she turns around.]

MW: It’s no wonder ‘your’ husband would rather have died than live with you.

Have fun alone, dear.

[She walks out, leaving EW alone in the room. Lights fade out.]

Drama Devised Group Piece – “Bully"

This play presents the issue of revenge which led to cyber-bullying. It took place in a school setting.

The unknown blogger, blogs about rumours of Olivia, a girl in school. Olivia says that it is not true however, no one seem to believe her. She gets traumatised, psychologically, as the whole school gossips about her. She hides at home, refusing to come to school. In the end, Olivia confides in Rachel, her best friend and the only one who believes her in the entire school. Rachel is then on an important quest to find out who this blogger actually is. She seeks help from the two well-know gossipers in school and they become Rachel’s accomplices. They meet up at Rachel’s house after school one day and decided to befriend the blogger by coming up with a fake rumour and giving this information to the unknown blogger through an email stated on the gossip blog. They also wrote in the email that they would like to be on of the bloggers on the gossip blog and their wish is granted. Rachel and the two gossipers decided to come up with a plan that they have credible news that teachers in the school have been monitoring the gossip blog and would like to meet the unknown blogger to discuss their plan of not disclosing their identities. However, on the day of the meet-up, Rachel and the two gossipers decided to observe the situation of The Blue Dophin Café, from an opposite café. It is until late when only one person is left, that they decided to ask writing a letter and asking the waiter to deliver it over, if the only person left, which is Jessica, is the unknown blogger. When she said she is the unknown blogger, the three girls are stunned. Yet, they did not expose her after knowing the reason behind why she started the blog. Jessica in fact, is the quietest girl and the girl who tops the level for every subject. However, she is the butt of all jokes and cannot stand it any longer so she started the blog. Fact to be told, she actually promised to come out to meet the three girls because she knows that they only wanted to know who she is and not harm her. This is because the rumour that the girls provided is proven not true, because Natalia did not even take the Maths CA the same day as they did.

As for the characters, every one of them plays a significant role, despite the fact if their roles were major or minor. There are 5 characters and major ones are Rachel, the two gossipers and of course, the unknown blogger. Olivia, is not mentally strong and luckily, she has her best friend, Rachel, who is a loyal and determined friend. She goes all out to protect her best friend’s pride and to let her be able to come back to school with confidence. The two gossipers’ habit of gossip is really bad, however, they are at least interested and patient enough to find out who the unknown blogger actually is. The unknown blogger, through is not seen acting actively in the play, however, she is the most crucial and mysterious character is the play.

We got our inspirations from real-life situations, gossip girls, internet sources and many more. I researched on the Internet so as to get a deeper understanding of the play. I researched on “Gossip Girls”, “School Bullies”, “Psychologically bullying” and other themes or things that happened in the play. I found out that School bullying is a type of bullying that occurs in connection with education, either inside or outside of school. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional and is usually repeated over a period of time. Examples of emotional or psychological bullying include spreading bad rumours about people, keeping certain people out of a “group”, teasing people in mean ways, getting certain people to “gang up” on others or simple and most commonly, name calling. Some children bully because they have been isolated, and they have a deep need for belonging, but they do not possess the social skills to effectively keep friends. From this, we can see a parallel contrast between my research and the actual play itself; Psychological bullying issue of spreading bad rumours about people through a gossip girl blog, between the unknown blogger, Jessica and the victims.

‘The School Bully’ is a realistic play as it shows the real life situation of a school. We can even see this happening around us, in our very own school, let alone the play itself. Thus, this play has to be realistically portrayed through the actor’s emotions, feelings, expressions and tones.

Personally, I feel that the victims are the bullies have been psychologically traumatised, and if we look closer, we can see that it is a cycle. The victims bullied Jessica, thus, Jessica is taking revenge and “Bullying” them in return. Now the bullies become the victim; the victim becomes the bully. This is one of the major contrasts in the play. As for pacing, other than the climax parts and the part where emails come in at a fast pace, the other parts are quite slow in terms of the scene structures and tend to be longer, especially when it comes to the route of discovering the unknown blogger.

To understand the play and each individual character even more, we did hot seating, still image and improvising before and after scenes. For hot seating, we “interview” the main characters, Rachel, Gossip 1, Gossip 2 and Jessica, the unknown blogger, to understand the play a little better. From their answers, we the interviewee, understand their character more, such as what they think of the other characters, their preferences and dislikes, what they feel about each situations, and many more. We did still imagine (Freeze-Frame) of scenes of our choice, randomly, in our groups. We also did some improvising of before and after scenes, such that we acted out some parts of the scenes and guessing what happens before and after it. From acting out snippets of the play, I personally feel that we can have a better understanding of what it’s like being the character himself or herself. If I were to perform the role of Rachel, I would be an adventurous girl, trying my best to find out who the unknown blogger is. If I were Gossip 1, I would act very negatively about the quest. If I were Gossip 2, I would act very enthusiastically about the quest. If I were the unknown blogger, I would be very mysterious yet sharp, just like a detective. I believe to be able to act out a character well, other than the fact that researches must be done to grasps the play well, acting must come from within the actor. This means that real-life experiences such as, being in the character’s shoe, must be present, as it would be the most genuine image performed. I developed their personalities by asking them to act out the situation and imagine being in such a real-life situation. It was quite easy as bullying is quite common in every school compound.

During rehearsals, we decided on the set, props, lighting, sounds and costumes. We made sure that our decisions would give an addition edge to the play and most important, be appropriate and relevant. Then, we acted the play out and did improvisation if necessary. Through the improvisations, we gained new ideas and added it into or changed part of our scripts to improve it.

Tension slowly builds up when the three girls were trying to find out who the unknown blogger is, to the point when the unknown blogger disclosed herself, which was the climax moment. That really stunned the three girls for a moment as the end results were not what they had expected.

To Jessica, her actions were alright as it was to let the bullies get a taste of their own medicine, but to the bullies, they were actually suffering to an extent that they were to embarrass to come to school. Another high tension point was when gossip/rumours were excitedly spread around in school, however, tension get released during anti-climax parts, such as when we see the victims’ reactions of sorrow and embarrassment when they get teased and the parts after the three girls come to know the truth and Jessica’s reasons in doing so. The twist in the story is when the girls realised they have given the unknown blogger a fake fact and got fooled. As an actor, we can show from our facial expressions and the tone of our voices, when performing. However, to truly act out the climax point, the actor has to engage himself or herself fully into the play. The emotions portrayed cannot be artificial and best come from experiences. If not, the actor must research and have full understanding and knowledge on the play before performing it.

I would like the audiences to get to know the cycle relations between bullies and victims, and to feel for them. Next, as an actor, I would want the audiences to know how the victims suffer and thus, to empathise with them, through my acting, which is a major challenge. In doing so, the actor has to be convincing by stepping into the shoes of the character and as such, the victims can understand what the actor is portraying.

Choice of Lightings
This is a realistic play, thus I feel that the lighting for the set should be natural, just like normal in-house lights or floodlights. There will be the use of blackouts for set changes. During the climax and the parts where the characters are tense or angry, we can use red floodlights.

Choice of Costumes
For Olivia, she will be in school uniform as she only appears in the first scene, which takes place in school. For the two gossipers, they should wear “loud” coloured clothes which are eye-catching, as they are the “Gossip Providers” in the play. As for Rachel, she should be in casual clothes as she is like the adventurous type. As for Jessica, the unknown blogger, she should wear a simple dress especially, in the last scene when she comes to the café to meet the girls. This is because she is usually quiet and I would picture her as the girly type on the surface.

Choice of Sounds
Modern pop songs will be heard at scene 1, where it is the set showing the school compound. This is because the students will be gossiping or doing their own things lively before the entire play zooms into the two gossips.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SCENE ONE

1: Hey, did you read the post yesterday?
2: Are you kidding? I would give up sleep just to keep myself updated on the latest news!
1: I can’t believe she did that!
2: Yeah she’s such a jealous bitch.
1: She threw acid on Nancy just because Nancy went out with Jake?! It’s ridiculous! Just ‘cos they are together doesn’t mean he can’t meet his other girl friends!

Olivia: I did not. I did not. I did not. I SAID I DIDN’T DO THAT! SHUT UP YOU BITCHES! IS THAT ALL YOU KNOW? YOU TWO ARE REALLY SHALLOW! Fuck that person who spread that rumour; it’s not true! Why won’t anyone believe me? Fuck this, I’m going for class now.

1: Hah, fancy trying to deny everything after she has done it. What a coward!

(Olivia shuts herself out)

2: If you did it, just admit it! You dare to do it but too scared to admit?

(Olivia runs out of class crying)

(1 and 2 are shocked)

SCENE TWO

Olivia: Rachel, trust me. I really didn’t do that! Nancy is my good friend; why would I pour acid on her? I know that Nancy and Jake are friends and I’m cool with them hanging out.. why.. why must they do this to me?

Rachel: I know, dear. I trust you. You two are my good friends and I really don’t want this incident to affect us, alright? But the rumours are getting quite bad in school and everyone thinks that it’s true ‘cos Nancy hasn’t been coming to school. I tried contacting her but she’s not answering my calls. I really don’t know what happened to her.

Olivia: I tried to call her too but she switched her phone off! If she’d just appear back in school, everyone will know that the rumours aren’t true! Screw the person who started these rumours!

Rachel: Don’t worry Oli, I’ll help you find out who this person is. I promise.

(Olivia and Rachel hug)

SCENE THREE
A few days later

Recording:
Youaresobusted.blogspot.com

Hot Gossip Post #9

A source told me that Danielle went into Shane’s room at the hostel at 2 plus after the dance party last night. No lights were switched on throughout the whole night. It was reported that Danielle left the room at a quarter past 5 with her hair messed up, clothes untidy and wearing her shoes in the lift on the way down to her own room. What happened in the room remains unknown, but Sonia is so gonna flip when she finds out about it! The end of another friendship, perhaps?

1: OH.MY.GOD! It’s just three days and there’s a new update!
2: Haha, yeah. This gossip girl is efficient and effective, eh?
1: She sure is. I wonder where she gets all these stories from, anyway.
2: No idea, but let’s see if Sonia’s gonna come to school today.
1: I bet ya she’ll stay at home and cry her heart out!

(1 and 2 laugh)

(Rachel enters)
Rachel: Hey girls, seem like you two are enjoying yourselves, eh?
1: We’re just telling each other some funny jokes. Got a problem with that?
Rachel: Chill chill! Why so hostile? It’s just a casual question. Anyway, I suppose you two read the blog?
2: What blog?
Rachel: THE blog.
1: Yeah. So?
Rachel: Well, I was just wondering what you know about it..
2: Nothing much, we just read what she writes. The latest post is about Danielle and Shane! Sonia is gonna go crazy when she reads about it!
1: Yeah, but I guess you’re more interested in the previous post. Both your girlfriends were involved in it
Rachel: True. But that’s not the point. I was just wondering..
2: What?
Rachel: Wondering if you two are curious as to who this blogger is.
1: You know who she is?
Rachel: No, I don’t. But I sure am curious. Aren’t you?
1: Yeah, but so what? It’s not like she’s gonna appear in front of us and say, “Hey, I’m that blogger you’re talking about”.
Rachel: Uh huh. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find her. Interested to help dig out this person?
2: I’m game for it!
1: So am I!
Rachel: Set! We’ll meet at my place, after school on Friday.


SCENE FOUR
Rachel’s room, Friday, after school

Rachel: Okay girls, from what I know, there’s an email stated on THE blog where people with juicy gossips can inform her of.
1: Yeah, so?
Rachel: What so? Aren’t you thinking of what I’m thinking about?
1: WHAT BRILLANT IDEA HAVE YOU GOT?
Rachel: Are you plain stupid or what?
2: I think I know what you mean… we’ll fake a gossip to tell her about, then, we’ll try to manipulate her in coming out to get the information.
Rachel: Exactly! We’ll tell her that she needs to see for herself. That’s the plan?
1: Wow great ideas, you think it’s SO easy? This blogger sure is smart. She would probably pay someone to come out instead. HELLO DREAMIES, WAKE UP!! She’s unknown for a reason.
Rachel: You never know. We’ll just have to give it a try… unless you have a better idea?
1: Well… Why don’t we give her the fake rumour and say we would like to join her in writing this gossip blog?
2: I guess that works too.
1: Okay, let’s start work right now.

Recording:
Email to Unknown Blogger from Miss Mysterious
RE: Source for Hot Gossip Post #10

It’s no wonder Natalia got a 99/100 for the recent Maths CA. She was a failure in Maths, how could she score so well this time? I secretly took a picture of what she did… You wanna see it? The teachers are now singing high praises of her and telling almost every class about her OH SO SUCCESSFUL story. Yet, I am sure she didn’t do it based on her efforts. She sure should be publicised in THE blog.

*P.S (Can I join you in blogging these juicy stories as I think it’s really cool) I promise to blog regularly and that our identities will not be exposed.

A few minutes later

1: Hey, MAIL!
2: THE Blogger is really efficient. This shows she is home on a Friday, which means she is someone who does not have CCAs on Friday.
Rachel: Let’s see what she says…

Recording:
Email to Miss Mysterious from Unknown Blogger
RE: Source for Hot Gossip Post #10

Thank you for your information. I am sure it would be hot news when I post it. Wait till the teachers read it… Natalia will be so screwed! Well, she will have a lot of explanations to do. I agree with you that the teachers are singing high praises of her recently and I have heard about her success story.

Welcome on board, I need helpers too, anyway. If you meet any difficulties, Please do email me again. I will remain UNKNOWN.
Username: School Bitches
Password: *********

1: Hey, we’re IN! BUT, what do you really think? Does she actually trust us?
Rachel: You have a point. What’s backup Plan B?
2: No, we’ll carry on with this “Game”.

After numerous posts,

Recording:
Email to Unknown Blogger from Miss Mysterious
RE: Meeting Up

Our posts have been quite successful. However, I have credible news that the teachers in our school have also been reading THE blog. I would like to meet up with you to discuss what will happen.

Please meet me at The Blue Dolphin Café tomorrow, at 5pm.

A few minutes later

Recording:
Email to Miss Mysterious from Unknown Blogger
RE: Meeting Up

Okay, we’ll have to look into this. I’ll meet you there. Please keep our meetings confidential.
See ya!

1: Look, she trusts us.
2: Are we falling into her trap?
1: Rubbish, what trap?
2: T-R-A-P! So that she will know who the hell we are…
Rachel: OH girls, what makes YOU think WE will show up?
1 and 2: We are not going to meet her? How then would we know who she is?
Rachel: I’m not dumb… we are going but not to meet her. Plan is to go there to hide! To see who she is but not let her know who we are.
1: That’s smart, provided everything goes as planned.

SCENE FIVE
Opposite The Blue Dolphin Café, 5pm.

(The three girls sit in a cafe, opposite The Blue Dolphin Café)
1: Are you sure we got the right venue, girls?
2: Yeah, that’s what the E-Mail says…
Rachel: … UNLESS, we got fooled!
2: Luckily, we were NOT that stupid so as to sit at the blue dolphin café.
Rachel: Let’s wait a little longer…

15minutes passed, still no sign of blogger
Rachel: You know what? I think we just got fooled!
1: WHAT?!!-
Rachel: I mean you don’t see anyone familiar right?

Just then, Amanda the popular prefect in school approaches The Blue Dophin Café
Rachel: OH MY HOLY!
1: NO!
2: What NO? HOLY YES! IT MUST BE HER!
Rachel: It can’t be Amanda, right?
1: I mean oh god, she’s a prefect. If she gets exposed, she may be expelled, let alone getting stripped off her prefect post!
2: Let’s go…
Rachel: GO WHERE?
2: Confront her, obviously.
Rachel: NO, We cannot do that. Let’s observe a little longer
1: Why would Amanda do that?

Just then, Amanda walks away after buying a chocolate cake takeaway

Rachel: Hey look, it’s not Amanda.
1: Then, it must be someone else…

At 9pm, the café is about to close. There is only 1 person left…

Rachel: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
1: Yeah yeah, Jessica is the only one sitting at the café.
Rachel: Yup.
1: WHAT? Jessica? Good lord, it can’t be her… We didn’t even see her sitting there…
2: It’s impossible. I bet the blogger did not even turn up…
Rachel: Things are not always what they seem. Jessica COULD be the ONE!
1: Okay we’ll find out soon.
(Gossip 1 takes out a piece of paper and writes: Are you The unknown blogger? I am not within your sight but you are within my sight. If you are the one I am supposed to meet, please hold up your cup of orange juice.)

Gossip 1 passes the paper to a waiter and asked him to pass it to Jesscia, at the Blue Dophin’s Café. Soon after, Jessica held up her cup of orange juice; The 3 girls are stunned.

Rachel: Mystery solved. It is Jessica
2: Why her? She’s the nerd in school. I still can’t believe it is her!
1: Don’t you know the thing called Human Nature? People do not seem what they are.
Rachel: Let’s go…
2: Go where?
Rachel: Approach her.. this is the right time.. We’ll find out why she did that, alright? NO Pressure!

SCENE SIX
The Blue Dolphin Café, 9.30pm

Rachel: We are the ones you are looking for. It’s 3 of us, NOT just 1. Together, we are Miss Mysterious.
1: Jessica, WHY YOU? I don’t get it…
2: Are you really the one behind those juicy rumours?
Rachel: No one suspected you… YET, you are the one.
1: You are the quietest girl in class…
2: The one who tops the level for every subject…
Jessica: And, also the one who is the butt of all jokes, if you realised. Look, this is Revenge!
I hope that you will not expose me though I am prepared you all will.

1: Jessica, why did you promise to meet us? Aren’t you afraid that we might just not show up and just expose you in school?
Jessica: My gut feeling told me that the one who wanted to join me in this task just wants to find out who I really am.
2: How did you know?
Jessica: I knew it from the start when you gave me the rumour about Natalia and then teachers finding out about it. It’s because Natalia didn’t even come to school on the day of the Maths CA. She took it on another day.

The girls look at each other

1, 2 and Rachel: OH MAN! We did not realise that!
Jessica: HAHA! I created the blog as I said, for revenge. I cannot stand being the butt of all jokes any longer… No one can. Thus, with this blog, people can actually change their gossip targets, instead of just ME, ME AND ME!
1: Wow, I think you are courageous.
Jessicia: No, I’m not.
(Jessica starts to cry)
Rachel: Hey, Jess, don’t worry. We understand.