The January People’s Choice goes to…..

The people have spoken… The January People’s Choice Award goes to Leela Velautham  for her short play, THE EVOCATION, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround on January 20, 2020 at Berkeley Rep. Congratulations, Leela!

Courtesy of Ms. Velautham, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!

Cast Breakdown:
Villager: An older woman. Any race.
Lady Macbeth: A woman in her thirties. Any race
Macbeth: A man in his thirties. Any race
Servant: An older woman. Any race. Can be doubled with the Villager

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(The tail end of a wake in MACBETH’s castle. The VILLAGER sits facing MACBETH and LADY MACBETH.)

VILLAGER

Tragedy, isn’t it? Such a shame, a crying shame – sweet as a sugar plum he was, Anne was only just saying just the other day, you do know Anne, don’t you – I think she said she called earlier – Bill’s wife, his second, mind, the first, now let me think what happened to her – she went to England I think, either she went to England or she died, I know which fate I’d prefer, ha.

MACBETH

Thanks. We appreciate your thoughts. Don’t we?

LADY MACBETH

What? Yes.

VILLAGER

And the fruitcake we sent?

MACBETH

Yes, that was very, um, helpful. Thank you.

VILLAGER

Oh, good, good – it’s not much I know, but it was the least we could do, because god only knows what you two must be going through, losing so many before and now this – it makes you wonder doesn’t it? It makes you want to pause and to sit and to think – my Pa, best days behind him, sitting at home staring into space just waiting to die if I’m being honest with you, and your little babe, head wet-fresh with life, just, just – gone, just like that. I’m sure He had his reasons up there, but… it is a shame, really, isn’t it? A terrible shame. Well, I suppose you’ll be trying for another?

MACBETH

It’s really too soon to be thinking about that.

VILLAGER

Oh, of course, funeral meats still warm and all that – and no rush on my account, not that you would, of course- might I just say that you’re looking so well, the both of you, so, so, well considering –

LADY MACBETH

Can you go?

VILLAGER

What?

MACBETH

Excuse my wife, she’s just – I’m sorry, I’m just, I’m tired.

LADY MACBETH

Oh, of course.

VILLAGER

You need your rest, something happens like this, of course.

MACBETH

Thank you for coming, we appreciate it, we really do.

VILLAGER

Love and prayers from everyone in the village. Plenty more fruitcake where that came from – if you want any more, you only need ask.

MACBETH

Thanks.

VILLAGER

Such a terrible shame. Well, bye now. Bye-Bye now. Bye.

(VILLAGER exits)

LADY MACBETH

Bitch.

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Join us for the next Monday Night PlayGround on Monday, February 17 at Berkeley Rep and choose your own favorite! Click here for more info