Summary
A young, feisty, rebellious girl from a difficult background is released from prison into the hands of a psychotherapist after attempting to kill her abusive stepfather.
Primal Scream by Robin Hawdon
A young, feisty, rebellious girl from a difficult background is released from prison into the hands of a psychotherapist after attempting to kill her abusive stepfather. She turns out to be one hell of a handful for the shrink – highly intelligent, challenging, sexually provocative, and funny.
She has vibrant views on life, politics, science, and much else. She also reveals, after much verbal confrontation, that her secret ambition has always been to train as an opera singer. The shrink, who plays the piano, persuades her to sing for him (Mimi’s solo from La Boheme) and indeed she proves that she has a great voice.
In the second act she reveals more of her traumatic life, and draws out some of his. She also sings again – this time a moving love song. Therefore the casting of the part requires an actress with a serious singing voice (or a singer who can act). A huge star part for a young actress, and a challenging role for a forties something actor.
There is finance available towards a premier production of this play for which we already have potential casting. Needs an adventurous producer to partner its launch, and a top studio theatre in which to mount it.
Cast
- BERNARD Forties. Serene on the surface
- SUGAR Early twenties. Regional accent.
Setting
The private consulting room of a practising psychotherapist somewhere in the provinces. Desk, comfortable armchairs, book shelves, a music player, window. An upright piano/keyboard to one side. Sophistication and tranquillity.