Set: Single, prison room set. Essentially a table and five chairs.
Synopsis: In a fundamentalist religious state, a news reporter arranges a confrontation between two prisoners and the couple who prosecuted them for offences against their
faith.
Running time: Around 30 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'This play was something of a departure me; firstly, as there's barely (and deliberately) a laugh to be had throughout the whole piece and secondly, because it is based
on a real incident that happened in my community. My publisher calls the play 'confrontational or challenging, depending on your viewpoint', but I hope it is never offensive. It is
true that I break the cardinal rule for playwrights in that I very definitely take sides in the arguments between David and Matthew, but I feel sometimes - particularly in matters of
justice and human rights - it's worth nailing your colours to the mast.
'The Nth Degree' would be of interest to any drama group or company who believe that one of the theatre's many functions is to stimulate debate, thus shining a light into the
very heart of what makes our society tick.'
Published: 2010
First Produced: PADOS, Lancs, 2012
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SAMPLE SCENE
Charlotte: So you did receive some support?
David: We received a great deal of support. From friends and strangers.
Robert: Father Jonathan offered us a room in his home if we wished to visit again.
Sarah: It’s a shame that none of you are at liberty to enjoy that hospitality.
Charlotte: (To David and Robert) You know what became of him?
Robert: I know he got into some... difficulty. Through his support for us.
Matthew: He was excommunicated. When the Blessed Society came to pass he was arrested for heresy and sentenced to penal servitude.
Security Guard: He was lucky. The clerics were lenient in those days.
David: He was a good man.
Matthew: He was a heretic. Nowadays he would be burned, praise God.
Charlotte} Praise God.
Sarah }
Synopsis: In a fundamentalist religious state, a news reporter arranges a confrontation between two prisoners and the couple who prosecuted them for offences against their
faith.
Running time: Around 30 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'This play was something of a departure me; firstly, as there's barely (and deliberately) a laugh to be had throughout the whole piece and secondly, because it is based
on a real incident that happened in my community. My publisher calls the play 'confrontational or challenging, depending on your viewpoint', but I hope it is never offensive. It is
true that I break the cardinal rule for playwrights in that I very definitely take sides in the arguments between David and Matthew, but I feel sometimes - particularly in matters of
justice and human rights - it's worth nailing your colours to the mast.
'The Nth Degree' would be of interest to any drama group or company who believe that one of the theatre's many functions is to stimulate debate, thus shining a light into the
very heart of what makes our society tick.'
Published: 2010
First Produced: PADOS, Lancs, 2012
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
SAMPLE SCENE
Charlotte: So you did receive some support?
David: We received a great deal of support. From friends and strangers.
Robert: Father Jonathan offered us a room in his home if we wished to visit again.
Sarah: It’s a shame that none of you are at liberty to enjoy that hospitality.
Charlotte: (To David and Robert) You know what became of him?
Robert: I know he got into some... difficulty. Through his support for us.
Matthew: He was excommunicated. When the Blessed Society came to pass he was arrested for heresy and sentenced to penal servitude.
Security Guard: He was lucky. The clerics were lenient in those days.
David: He was a good man.
Matthew: He was a heretic. Nowadays he would be burned, praise God.
Charlotte} Praise God.
Sarah }
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
THE Nth DEGREE
(Click the title to read the whole script online at Lazy Bee Scripts)
'This play is well written and the subject matter interesting; it is a very worthwhile topic to explore' Amnesty International
Cast: 4m, 2f
MATTHEW, 30s or 40s. Ultra religious guest house owner, immovable in his opinions.
DAVID, 30s or 40s. Victim of an intolerant society, now incarcerated for his crimes.
ROBERT, 30s or 40s, David's partner.
SECURITY GUARD, the eyes and ears of the state.
CHARLOTTE, any age. A radio presenter.
SARAH, 30s or 40s. Matthew's wife.
(Click the title to read the whole script online at Lazy Bee Scripts)
'This play is well written and the subject matter interesting; it is a very worthwhile topic to explore' Amnesty International
Cast: 4m, 2f
MATTHEW, 30s or 40s. Ultra religious guest house owner, immovable in his opinions.
DAVID, 30s or 40s. Victim of an intolerant society, now incarcerated for his crimes.
ROBERT, 30s or 40s, David's partner.
SECURITY GUARD, the eyes and ears of the state.
CHARLOTTE, any age. A radio presenter.
SARAH, 30s or 40s. Matthew's wife.
Richard James / Actor & Playwright
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| The Nth Degree |
| Bar Wars |
| The Dreaming |
| Moving On |
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