ANDY EVANS' PLAY SCRIPTS
Andy has written a number of plays over the last few years and the list below, whilst being by no means, comprehensive, is a brief summary of his work to date.
Andy's first foray into playwriting came whilst teaching at Franklin College, Grimsby. It was the experience of producing "Little Shop Of Horrors" and "Blood Brothers" that led him to consider the possibility of writng original material.
The first play was a 30 minute exploration of the case of Bentley and Craig, a notorious miscarriage of justice that led to the hanging of Derek Bentley. The play "...Love Derek" was never produced and currently languishes in a bottom drawer awaiting a much needed re-write!
Chronological Order of Plays
"....Love Derek" - This play lasting approximately 30 minutes investigates the events leading up to the conviction for murder and the subsequent death penalty issued against Derek Bentley and forces us to question the legal system's impotence when facing a case such as this.
"Everybody Hurts" - This two-hander is written for young performers. The male is 15 and the female is 11. They meet whilst skipping school and seeking refuge from the authorities. Jack begins to realise, however, that all may not be well with Marty as he probes into her background.The play lasts approximately 15 - 20 minutes.
"Death Of An Island Girl" - Maria Corazon is 15, she has left the third world country of her birth to work as a maid for a wealthy family abroad. However, enduring indignity and abuse, she attempts to settle to her new life. It is only after her rape that Maria snaps and kills her tormentor and employer. For this killing she recieves the death penalty. The play investigates modern day attitudes to slavery and servitude. The piece lasts approximately one hour.
"What's The Difference Between A Donkey And A Mule?" - Hannah and Shelley are two Northern girls out on the pull one night, when they meet a glamorous French couple who lead them astray. As the girls are caught up in drug smuggling in Thailand we consider their plight and endure their tragedies and pain. The play lasts approximately 50 minutes.
"The Drama Lesson" - Another one act play of approximately 30 minutes which is set in a school drama lesson and eavesdrops upon the class from Hell, 10BSE! A comedy.
"Whistlin' Dixie" - Word is out, "Dixie", the drama teacher, is leaving. Our four pupils each have their own theories as to why. Join them as the muse upon the situation and each let slip something of their own personalities by projecting their own ideas upon the problem. Approximately 20 minutes.
"Fame Costs" - A talent is a terrible thing to waste. In this one-act comedy the contestants in a talent contest entitled "Famous For Fifteen Minutes", gather backstage in an effort to ready themselves. Each has a unique talent on display from magig to stand-up comedy, via the obligatory vocalists. The real contest takes place in the changing room, not on the stage.
"Rodge!" - Max is a special little boy, he is unpopular at school but has an unshakeable fith in Rodge, his guardian angel. Rodge is invisible and never acts directly, but Max knows that Rodge will be there for him, through thick and thin. Max's belief in Rodge, coupled with his stated career aim of becoming a pilot, are the cause of bullying and ridicule. But Max treats his life as one big adventure and ultimately triumphs over adversity. This play is now published by SchoolPlay Productions, Colchester, Essex.
"The Outsiders" - Adapted for the stage, from the novel by SE Hinton, this is the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser in 1960's USA. It is a story of heroism and belonging, of sensitivty and gang warfare. Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. This play is not an official adaptation, and thus, is not available for performance.
"Second Wind" - Developed as a play for the Caxton Youth Theatre,Grimsby, "Second Wind" follows Nat Jansen, a former jazz musician, on his quest from Cleethorpes to Grimsby. He simply wants to get home, and he will, if he gets his second wind. But circumstances perpetually conspire against him. A comedy of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. 20 characters.
"Lying To The Moon" - This is an extension of the earlier play Everybody Hurts. It lasts approximately 1 hour. The character of Jack has been altered to Jackie (female) and we experience the story in its entireity. From its enigmatic opening to its powerful ending this story of Small Town USA will keep the audience guessing as to the possible outcome.
"Reservoir Dwarves" - A pantomime, in the loosest sense of the word, in which Snow White, a bad girl with a powder problem, escapes from her wicked step-mother, the queen, only to fall into the hands of seven would-be thieves on a heist to steal the king's jewels. Look out too for The Red Hood - Wolf Huntress! Songs and comedy, definitely for the slightly older teenage audience! 1 hour 15 minutes
"Worlds Apart" - Martin has been dumped by his long time girlfriend for being boring. So he sets out to find a new life for himself that leads him to a new job, new friends, and the Internet (via a line dance club)!He is determined to start living again if it kills him! Julie will be sorry she ever let him slip from her grasp!
"The Basement" - A play for primary school children that explores the history of mining in this country. Two children seek shelter by hiding in the basement of a building. One is on holiday there, the other is fleeing from the rent man and ducks in through the first unlocked door he sees. They develop a friendship and consider a number of artefacts found in the packing cases stored in the basement. They consider brass banding, singing and poetry as they endeavour to escape! Approximately 40 minutes.
"The Hunchback" - Its Parents Day at the Winifred Attwell School for Young Ladies, but something is wrong where are the prizes? Where are the school funds? Who can save the school from peniury? Saskia Bentley-Rolls offers up her exciting version of Victor Hugo's classic "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". This is the script for the second JLC pantomime following on from the success of "Reservoir Dwarves". This is the story of Quasimodo, but you may never have seen it quite like this! You'll laugh, groan and cry at this panto that takles you from Britney Spears to Star Wars and back!
"Moonlight Marionettes" - A play written for the first Franklin Festival in Grimsby, held in September 2000. We meet three enigmatic characters;Wart, Hog and Moth as they gather one night and discuss the mysterious creatures known only as "Them"..... This play is now licenced by Playscripts Inc. in the USA and has received performances in Kansas, Malibu, Edmonton Alberta and Lethbridge Alberta. It was the recipient of several awards including BEST PLAY at a festival of theatre in Kansas.
"The Living Newspaper"- This piece will also make its debut at the Franklin Festival. It was inspired by a series of workshops held during the North East Lincs Literature Festival, whereby a group of writers considered the possibility of writing a play for performance, but that never actually came to fruition. Andy Evans has resurrected his contribution and with the help of a little improvisation has created a new piece for performance by the Caxton Youth Theatre.
Generations" - Three very different women present their view of the same man, Jason,as seen by his mother, grandmother and girlfriend. A poignant play that deals with loss and bereavement in a serious fashion, but demonstrating a light touch with which most members of the audience will appreciate and recognise from their own families.
"The Musk of Zorro" - The JLC Panto for the year 2000! Yes, its true Zorro goes panto! Joined the masked bandido as he seeks to bring justice for all in this camp melodramatic spoof that enjoys all the conventions of a traditional pantomime.The evil Capitan El Nino seeks to expose Zorro and both men have designs on the beautiful - but dim - Consuela Corazon. The only defence she has to these suitors is the inimitable Mamagrande Abuela-her nurse, and a classical panto dame. Sergeant Pasquale and Corporal Paella add to the chaos which reaches a head on the evening of the pueblo's fiesta.Will Zorro win the day? Will justice prevail? Will Consuela ever know what day it is?
"The Baker's Dozen" - This is a play for very young children and deals with issues such as being different, and standing up for what you believe in. It is told from the perspective of thirteen bread rolls being baked in preparation for Cinderella's wedding reception. Meet the Baker, his wife the Narrator and the big loaves in this interesting little play!
If you would like more information about any of these plays, contact Andy Evans.
Some really good drama links!
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