Taken E-Book

Winsome Pinnock

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Serie: NHB Modern Plays
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 33

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

A mother is confronted by the child she had to give up. Winsome Pinnock's short play Taken was first performed at Soho Theatre, London, as part of Clean Break's Charged season in November 2010.

Leseprobe

Winsome Pinnock

TAKEN

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Original Production

Characters

TakenWinsome Pinnock

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Taken was originally performed as part of Charged, a cycle of six plays produced by Clean Break and first performed at Soho Theatre, London, on 10 November 2010. The cast was as follows:

Dream Pill

BOLA

Danielle Vitalis

TUNDE

Samantha Pearl

Director

Tessa Walker

Fatal Light

AINE

Isabelle Mason

JAY

Rebecca Scroggs

KERRY

Ony Uhiara

MAGGIE

Ashley McGuire

POLICEWOMAN

Emma Noakes

Director

Lucy Morrison

Taken

DELLA

Beatie Edney

NANA NOLA

Janet Henfrey

NOLA

Rebecca Oldfield

Director

Caroline Steinbeis

Dancing Bears

AARON

Emmanuella Cole

ANGRY/BABYMOTHER

Danielle Vitalis

DEAN/RAZOR KAY

Ony Uhiara

RETARD/CHARITY

Samantha Pearl

Director

Tessa Walker

That Almost Unnameable Lust

KATHERINE

Janet Henfrey

LIZ

Beatie Edney

WRITER

Rebecca Oldfield

Director

Caroline Steinbeis

Doris Day

ANNA

Rebecca Scroggs

DAISY

Emma Noakes

Director

Lucy Morrison

Designer

Soutra Gilmour

Lighting Designer

Johanna Town

Sound Designer

Emma Laxton

TAKEN

Winsome Pinnock

Characters

DELLA, forties

NOLA, twenties

NANA NOLA, seventies

Setting

The play takes place in the living room of a council flat in the present day.

We are in the living room of a council flat in North London. A sofa that has seen better days – a general air of neglect in the room. On the floor there are two boxes full of junk. A sequinned dress is draped over the sofa and on the floor beneath are a pair of dance shoes. There is a pram beside the sofa. NOLA is alone. She peers inside the pram and gently rocks it before returning her attention to the room. DELLA enters wearing an apron and rubber gloves. She holds a duster and can of furniture polish. She stands in the doorway watching NOLA, who is poking through one of the boxes. NOLA picks up a pair of china shepherdesses and puts one in her pocket, and puts the other back in the box. She stands and looks around the room as though searching for something. She appears to find it as she picks up a silver framed photograph. She gently brushes the surface of the picture with her fingertips as though removing dust from it. DELLA moves away from the door.

DELLA (calling offstage). We’ve got another five hours yet, Mum. Don’t you worry. I’ll let you know when it’s time.

NOLA quickly stuffs the picture inside her jacket as DELLA enters.

Do you watch Strictly Come Dancing? It’s a big deal in this house. Mum never misses it.

DELLA gets on with her dusting as she speaks. Throughout the scene she is constantly moving – dusting or adjusting something. She can’t sit still.

She can’t remember a lot of things, but she never forgets that Saturday night is dance night.

NOLA. I’ve never seen it.

DELLA. You should. All them lovely dresses. All them fit bodies. It adds a little bit of glamour to our lives, doesn’t it? You get hold of your friend yet?

NOLA. I can’t find my mobile.

DELLA. You’re all right to stay here and wait for a bit. As long as you don’t mind me getting on with this.

NOLA. I’m just grateful to have somewhere to sit.

DELLA. I couldn’t have you standing out there with the baby. Not after you had to climb all them stairs.

NOLA. I can’t believe that girl. She’s got a mind like a sieve. I rang her two days ago to remind her we was coming.

DELLA. Good thing that bloke give you a hand, weren’t it?

NOLA. Good thing you let us in.

DELLA. It’s not your day, is it? And now you can’t find your mobile.

NOLA. I had it when I come out the station, cos I called Julie.