Our last assignment of term was to write a script in 100 words or less. The brief was very straightforward, we read a script. There was a lot of dialogue, as you would expect, punctuated by stage directions in italics. We did a class exercise about a wedding and a big secret and off we went. Simples.
Or maybe not. I was really happy with my output and looking forward to the last day of term. We took it in turns to cast our plays and hear them acted out by our peers. It was great. Then it was my turn. I cast the teacher to read the stage directions. The prolific stage directions. At once I sensed a problem. She looked at the script and wrinkled her nose. Turned the first page. Exhaled. Sat back.
Everyone looked at her expectantly. 'I think I won't read the stage directions in this. See how we get on.'
'OK.' I agreed. Inwardly knowing it would never work, there was a lot that went unspoken in my script. The actors bravely did a read through. The class was silent. It made absolutely no sense.
'Perhaps we should try it with the stage directions?' The leading lady suggested.
'Hmmm.' Our teacher wrinkled her nose and sat back folding her arms.
'Yes, I think it would make far more sense.' Agreed the leading man.
'It's almost prose.' Argued our learned leader.
'It's very well imagined. I think it would bring it to life.' Pressed the supporting actress.
Thus pushed the teacher capitulated and a second read through went much better.
The gradual realisation dawned on me. I hadn't written a play at all. I'd managed to come up with a half play/half short story hybrid. Lazy. Caught out.
Of course if I'd visited the website that we'd been told to look at before doing our homework I might not have made this mistake. Or maybe not. 100wordplays.com.http://100wordplays.com/
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