The
Stranger
a play in one act
adapted from Katherine Mansfield’s short story “The Stranger”
by David Klein
About
the Play:
An examination of marital possessiveness, The Stranger explores the nuances
of fantasy and reality in human relationships.
Characters:
John Hammond: A prosperous business man in his late forties.
Hammond’s Mind: Hammond’s inner thoughts and reflections.
Janey Hammond: An attractive woman in her mid-forties.
Janey’s Mind: Janey’s inner thoughts and reflections.
Narrator: The voice that describes the setting and the action.
Mr. Gaven: A middle-aged man at the dock.
Captain Johnson: An old harbor master.
Voices 1 through 7: A group of voices on the ship and dock.
Passengers 1 through 3: Janey’s shipboard female friends.
Porter: Bellboy at the hotel.
The
Place:
A town in New Zealand
The Time: The play
takes place during 1905.
The
Scene: The
setting may be the front of the classroom, the school cafeteria, or the
school auditorium. Each character has his own stool or chair. When called
for by the action, the character may rise from the chair or sit down,
or move closer to another. The main characters may , if so desired, use
a prop, such as a hat or gloves to indicate John’s prosperity or
a boa or elaborate hat to symbolize Janey’s social position.
From
the Play:
Hammond: Damn it, what a fool I’ve been. I should have brought a
pair of binoculars. There isn’t a pair between all of us. (Turning
to a member of the group) Funny, isn’t it Mr. Gaven, that none of
us thought of binoculars. We might have been able to see what was keeping
the ship from landing.
Mr. Gaven: Be patient, John. Remember that we’re all in the same
boat. Ha. Ha.
Hammond: I don’t find that amusing. Not at all.
Mr. Gaven: Just a little joke to pass the time.
Hammond: Time. Time, that’s what counts. I’ve been waiting
so long for…
Mr. Gaven: (interrupting): Your wife. I know. How often have you told
all of us here that she’s been in Europe for the past ten months
to visit your eldest daughter who was married last year.
Hammond: Yes, yes. I brought my wife Janey up here , as far as Salisbury,
myself. So I thought I’d better come and fetch her back. Yes, Yes.
(Taking out his pocket watch.) Let me see now. It was two-fifteen when
the doctor’s launch went off. Two-fifteen. It is now exactly twenty-eight
minutes past four. That is to say, the doctor’s been gone two hours
and thirteen minutes . But I think we should have been told if there was
anything up - don’t you, Mr. Gaven?
Mr. Gaven: Oh, yes, Mr. Hammond! I don’t think there’s anything
to - anything to worry about. At the same time -
Hammond: Quite so! Quite so! But still it’s annoying.
|
Boxed
Set For Reader’s Theater:
Set of 10 Scripts $39.95
Order Now |
About the Playwright:
A graduate of New York University, David Klein has specialized in teaching
writing at several schools, among them Carnegie-Mellon University and
Norfolk State University. Several of his plays have been performed in
the New York area. He brings to this catalogue a proficiency in the adaptation
of literary works for the stage, enabling students of all ages to develop
an appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship of writers for all genres.
|