LAMDA

Acting (Solo)
Grade 07 - Silver

Program
Scene 1 :
YOYO - Lego
Scene 2 :
The Caucasian Chalk Circle - Lavranti
Scene 3 :
The Life and Death of King John King
John

Yo-Yo By Dino Mahoney

IntroductionI will be enacting the character of Lego form the play
Yo-Yo by Dino Mahoney. This was first published in
1995.
The scene begins with and introduction of Lego to Kevin
and in my performance this leads to a conversation
between the 2 where at first we witness Lego
attempting to entertain Kevin. However subsequently
we understand that Lego consistently seeks others
attention and thus attempts to amuse Kevin with
humorous anecdotas.

SCENE 1Lego: Looked as if you could use a bit of company, know what I
mean. I aint usually wrong. (Silence.) Been down here before?
Kevin:
LEGO: Show you around if you like.
Kevin:
LEGO: Wont cost nothing. Go down the bird park. Dyou like
birds? (Silence.) Last week some kid smashed this birds legs in
with a cricket bat flamingo it was in the papers. Know what
R.S.P.C.A. did? Took it off in a van and put it to sleep. Dont do
that to cripples do they. (Pause.) So whats the plan for tonight?
Kevin:
LEGO: Go down the Goose and Duck, lined up like skittles
theyll be, scrubbers up on side, bikers down the other, leather
boys, you know, creak when they walk. (He mimes this with
sound effects.)
Kevin:

LEGO: Whats hot, hard and throbbing and sticks out between
your legs? (Pause. LEGO mimes revving up a motor bike.)
Vroom, vroom, vrooooom motor bike. Get it?
Kevin:
LEGO: you should seeem at closing time they do wheelies
down the water front. (mimes rareing up and riding on the back
wheel only.) Vrooom, vrooooom.. You can rent bikes down
here dont cost much. Ever been on one?
Kevin:
LEGO: Great aint they. Rode over a badger once didnt half
hurt.. bit me tongue.
Kevin:
LEGO: Dyou like fun-fairs? Theres a great one down here its
got a Rota ever been on one? You know, you go in this room
and stand up against the wall then the door closes and the
whole place starts going round really fast then the friggin
floor disappearsahhhh.. (He looks at the floor with all his
fingers rammed into his mouth.) but youre going so fast youre
stuck up against the friggin wall like a squashed fly.. (pulls
back his cheeks.) G-Force G-Force and youve just scoffed a
Big Mac, large fries smothered in ketchup and a humongous
chocolate milkshake happened to this kid.. threw the whole
lot up
(with flamboyant finger-wriggling hand gestures originated
from the mouth onwards, he demonstrates how the kid threw
up.) Blaaaaaa. Looked like something out The Exorcist
(Pressed up against the wall in a crucified position. In the deep,
demonic voice.) I am Beelzebub

The Caucasian Chalk Circle By Bertolt Brecht

Introduction
My next performance is from the play The Caucasian
Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht. The character I portray
in this scene is Lavrenti, the middle aged man who
unwillingly provides shelter for Grusha and the Kings
son. Here, Lavrenti is trying to convince Grusha to get
married and move out of his residence.

LAVRENTI: Why are you sitting down muffled up like

coachmen, you two? Is it too cold in the room?
GRUSHA: [hastily removed one shawl]:
LAVRENTI: If its too cold, you shouldnt be sitting here with
the child. Aniko would never forgive herself! [pause.] I hope our
priest didnt question you about the child?
GRUSHA:
LAVRENTI: Thats good. I wanted to speak to you about Aniko.
She has a good heart but shes very, very sensitive. People
need only mention our farm and shes worried. She takes
everything hard, you see. One time our milkmaid went to
church with a hole in her stocking. Ever since, Aniko has worn
two pairs of stockings in church. Its the old family in her. [He
listens.] Are you sure there are no rats around? If there are rats,
you couldnt live here. [there are sounds as of dripping from the
roof.] Whats that, dripping?
GRUSHA:

LAVRENTI: Yes, it must be a barrel. Youve been here six

months, havent you? Was I talking about Aniko? [They listen
again to the snow melting.] You cant imagine how worried she
gets about your solider-husband. Supposed he comes back and
cant find her! she says and lies awake. He cant come before
the spring, I tell her. The dear woman! [The drops begin to fall
faster.] When dyou think hell come? What do you think?
[Grusha is silent.] Not before the spring, you agree? [Grusha is
silent.] You dont believe hell come at all? [Grusha is silent.]
But when the spring comes and the snow melts here and on the
passes, you cant stay on. They may come and look for you.
Theres already talk of an illegitimate child. [The glockenspiel
of the falling drops has grown faster and steadier.] Grusha, the
snow is melting on the roof. Spring is here.
GRUSHA:
LAVRENTI[eageryly]: Ill tell you what well do. You need a
place to go, and because of the child [he sighs], you have to
have a husband, so people wont talk. Now Ive made cautious
inquirics to see if we can find you a husband. Grusha, I have
one. I talked to a peasant woman who has a son. Just the other
side of the mountain. A small farm. And shes willing.
GRUSHA:
LAVRENTI: Of course. Thats all been taken care of. You dont
need a man in bed-you need a man on paper. And Ive found
you one. The son of this peasant woman is going to die. Isnt
that wonderful? Hes at his last gasp. And all in line with our
story- a husband from the other side of the mountain! And
when you met him he was at the last gasp. So youre a window.
What do you say?

The Life and Death of King John By William

Shakespeare
My last performance is from the play The life and
Death of King John. The English army led by King John
has defeated the French army led by king Philip and has
captured King Philips nephew and heir to the throne,
Arthur. In this extract from Act 3- Scene 2, King John
Flatters his trusted nobleman Hubert with praise before
charging him with the tasle of detaining Arthur in
England.

Good friend thou hast no cause to say so yet,

But thou shalt have: and creepe time nere so slow,
Yet it shall come, for me to doe thee good.
I had a thing to say, but let it goe:
The Sunne is in the heaven, and the proud day,
Attended with the pleasures of the world,
Is all too wanton, and too full of gawdes
To give me audience: If the mid-night bell
Did with his iron tongue, and brazen mouth
Sound on into the drowzie race of night:
If this same were a Church-yard where we stand,
And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs:
Or if that surly spirit melancholy
Had bakd thy bloud, and made it heavy, thicke,
Which else runnes tickling up and downe the veines,
Making that idiot laughter keepe men eyes,
Heare me without thine eares, and make reply
Without a tongue, using conceit alone,
Without eyes, ears, and harmefull sound of words:
Then, in despight of brooded watchfull day,
I would into thy bosome poure my thoughts:
But (ah) I will not, yet I love thee well,
And by my troth I thinke thou lovst me well.