Drama performance script
This GCSE Drama performance script examines the psychological impact of conflict, tracking a teenager's transition from civilian life to enlistment through nationalistic propaganda, concluding with his return home suffering from PTSD.
Opening narration
(Lights fade in on the front of the stage then Tim enters.)
Tim: My name is Tim Johnson and I’m just about as lucky as you can get. I’m 16, I live with a loving family in a nice friendly little coastal town. I go to school… and I’m doing really well! My teachers say I might even make university in a few years. I’ve got my life almost set out right in front of me. Everything is … perfect.
(Lights turn red and track 1 plays as Tim turns away. The lights return to normal and Track 1 stops playing.)
(Transition to Scene 1)
Scene 1
(Lights fade in on centre stage.)
(Tim walks over to the table and sits down where the red of the family are sitting.)
Tim: So how was your day at school bill?
Bill: Well, this boy called Tommy called me an apple.
Jack: When I was your age a boy called Tommy came up to me and said “OY! You look like an absolute tart!”. You know what I did? I grabbed his neck, lifted him up and pulled him down to the table.
Tim: Did you really do that Grandaddy?
Jack: Yes it is even more true than you.
Jack: Well that reminds me of the time me and my friends got cornered by the krauts we were going to die. So I made the executive decision since I was sergeant, to lob over all of our grenades into them. And thankfully all the Germans got exploded.
Tim: Well speaking of war, there’s one happening right now. And, I’m nearly old enough to sign up and…
Clarissa: No absolutely not I don’t want any of my children going off to die.
John: No it’s ok Clarissa. Listen son sometimes you just have to go above and beyond and do the right thing.
Tim: But… oh its late I have to get to work.
(Lights fade)
Scene 2: Propaganda monologue
(Lights fade in on the two teachers at the front of the stage)
Teacher 1: Hello students! today, am here to talk you, the younger generation.
Teacher 2: About how you can serve our nation and prolong its prosperity.
Teacher 1: So come join the British army!
Teacher 2: And show the enemy your true strength by feats of bravery!
Teacher 1: And courage! Though, among the triumph will be hardship.
Teacher 2: But you shall remain strong! - and strike fear into the hearts of the enemy with your steadfast attitude.
Teacher 1: Repeat after me! We’ll send you of, a soldier.
Teacher 2: But we’re packed with dirty lies!
Teacher 1: We never tell the truth!
Teacher 2: But we’ll convince you otherwise!
(Lights fade out)
Scene 3
(Lights fade in on centre stage.)
( Tim enters and sits at the table. clarissa and Jack are already sitting there.)
Tim: Hello, I’ve got some great news for you mum.
Clarrissa: Oh really, I can’t wait.
Tim: Well, I’ve found a proper job that I can make a living off.
I signed up for the army! I had to lie about my age but it’s just like you said granddad.
Jack: Huh?
Clarrissa: What! How could you do this to me. How many times must I tell you: I’m not letting my children die because some crazy man is having a tantrum.
Tim: But granddad said…
Clarissa: I don’t care! Tim, if you go you will die… ok.
Tim: Come on granddad, tell her!
(Tim looks at Jack. He doesn’t respond so Tim storms off.)
(Lights fade out.)
Scene 4
(Lights fade in.)
(Bill and Clarissa are sat at the table impatiently. Tim enters and knocks at the door then Clarissa quickly approaches to open it.)
Clarissa: (Gasp)
(She steps forward, about to embrace him but he recoils from her.)
Clarissa: I can’t believe you’re back… um come in! Come in!
Tim: (To Bill) Hello
Bill: Hi.
Clarissa: It’s almost like I’m dreaming, I forgot what it was like to have you around.
Tim: I… I’m sorry.
Clarissa: Don’t be, it’s okay. I’m sure you have lots of amazing tales to tell us!
Bill: Yeah! What was it like to fight people?
Tim: No! There’s nothing to tell!
(Light changes to a brighter red colour)
Bill: But but
Clarissa: Bill!
(After long pause the lighting returns to normal)
Tim: Where’s granddad?
Clarissa: Oh, he’s in his bedroom, he isn’t well.
(Lights fade)
Scene 5: Conversation with grandfather
(Lights fade in on centre stage)
(Jack is sleeping on a chair as Tim enters.)
Tim: Grandad?
Jack: Who are you!!!
Tim: It's me it's Tim.
Jack: I don't know a Tim.
(Tim sits)
Timmy: What happened to you?
Jack: Whrres me cabbage soop???
Tim: When you came back, was it just so easy to be a normal person again.
Jack: I’m ungry.
Tim: Do you think I wanted this! I signed up because I wanted to do something right make a difference. I got… something different.
Tim: I still see them... whenever I close my eyes.
Jack: Wherrs my wife. She should be back soon.
Tim: Why are you doing this? Whatever happened to you???
Jack: Wheres my mummy gone?
Tim: Please just stop it, can't you listen?
Jack: What's for din dins?
(Upon the delivery of the following line, the lights quickly turn red and Track 1 fades in.)
Tim: No no I don't need your advice, (nervous giggle) I know ... I know I'm a good person.( storms off!)
Jack: Who are you?!?!
(Lights fade out)
Scene 6
(Lights fade in on centre stage)
(Bill is sitting in his room reading a book and Tim enters)
Tim: Hello Billy.
Bill: (Eyes light up) Oh hello! Why did you get angry before? Was it my fault?
Tim: Oh no please don’t worry about that I’m sorry really. It was silly.
Bill: Um ok.
Tim: What are you reading?
Bill: It’s called Treasure Island, it’s about pirates and buried treasure.
Tim: ‘Sounds exciting, never really got into reading myself. I do wish I did, but…
So, how you been?
Bill: Er I’ve been been good. School’s very boring but I’ve made loads of friends and nobody’s mean to me anymore!
Tim: (laughs) That’s good!
Bill: Yeah I love watching cartoons now as well. Their so funny!
Tim: Oh yeah, a couple of them were shown to me when I away. And yeah, you’re absolutely right! (Whilst laughing)
Bill: Have you seen my toy soldiers!
(Tim’s smile fades)
Bill: Look I’ve got loads! And I’ve got tanks as well!
(His face lights up even further)
Did you ever drive a tank?
Tim: What? Um no I was a… soldier.
Bill: Well what did you do? What guns did you use?
Tim: (Sternly) Can we please talk about something else!
Bill: But…but did you shoot anyone! Was there blood!
Tim: Just SHUT UP! Do you ever shut up! I didn’t do anything wrong, I was just following orders. (Shaking) You can’t hold ME responsible!
Bill: No no please, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to! Really I didn’t. Please don’t be angry, I just want to play with you!
(Lights fade out)
Scene 7: Ending Monologue
(Lights fade in and Tim enters and sits down.)
Tim:
My name is Tim Johnson and I was about as lucky as you could get. No longer. I was promised heroism: a right of passage, a great adventure. All I received was a dark road to obscenity and evil.
(Lights turn red and Track 1 fades in.)
What I did was not my fault… no it wasn’t but the actions I took had such an unquestionable allegiance to evil that it now oozes from my very being! So much so that I cannot bear to burden my family any longer with its presence. I see your scowls of disapproval, I hear you mutter “How selfish of him!”.
But you do not know the horror! This, is my act of redemption! Though I am already damned beyond salvation, at least it spares the world of my knowledge.
Good day.
(Bill enters and knocks on the door)
Bill: Tim! Tim! Can I play with you now?
Tim: The horror!
The horror!
(Lights fade out as well as track 1)
8: End Scene
(All of the cast members are stood side by side with some good distance between them. Track 2 plays)
(Lights fade in on Clarissa.)
Clarisa: When you send a lad away
To a foreign hot land
To fight in a war he doesn’t understand
When he comes back
He brings more than just a tan
(Lights fade out on Clarissa and in on Jack)
Jack: He’s probably not ok
He’s probably not all right
He’s probably in a dark place
Whether it’s day or night
(Lights fade out on Jack and in on John if he is included as a character.)
John: Governments and Media
With their pack of lies
Will never tell the truth
But convince you otherwise
(Lights fade out on John and in on Tim)
Tim: It feels like my eyes
Have been stretched wide open
Now and then
I have trouble coping
(Lights fade out on Tim and in on Bill)
Bill: Images of memories
Imprinted on my mind
The boy they knew before
Is what they’ll never find
(All lights and track 2 fade out.)