Category: Theatre

So I’ve raced ahead with a script but all I have are a beginning and an ending. I’ve avoided and prevaricated but that’s not getting me any closer to meeting a(n admittedly self-imposed) deadline.

Right, then.

Still Life With Chickens is the story of a cranky old woman who reluctantly adopts a barnevelder chicken and learns that there’s more to her sunset years than waiting for death.

I’ve written:

• the first few scenes where —
  • MAMA tends her GARDEN which is a bit of a haven from caring for her housebound husband;
  • the garden is invaded by CHICKEN who has a taste for silverbeet;
  • Mama catches the chicken, then tries to find its owner to give them a piece of her mind;
  • Mama, unable to find the chicken’s owner, decides to look after it for a few days;
  • CUT TO some time later — like, several weeks later — where Mama and Chicken have come to an arrangement:
    • the old woman has someone to talk to;
    • and the chicken is given parts of the garden to eat and scratch up, as well as kitchen scraps;
• and the last few scenes where —
  • Mama has mellowed noticeably;
  • Chicken disappears, forcing Mama to interact with her neighbours in search for the chicken;
  • and [A SATISFYING RESOLUTION IS ACHIEVED]*.

Like I said, I’ve tried to launch myself from the tail-end of the first act with no success, while an attempt to work my way backward from that final act has been equally unsuccessful.

I listed some stepping stones:

1. [OPENING SCENES]
2. Something Happens
3. Something Else Happens
4. Crunch Time!
5. [CLOSING SCENES]

My stomach tensing with the possibility of knocking this bastard off — and recognising Joe’s 11-Step Programme — I sketched in some more details:

1. [OPENING SCENES]
2. Something Happens
   1. Could grandchildren visit? They’d love the chicken! Excellent opportunity for variations on If you really loved me, you would visit more often;
3. Something Else Happens
   1. Mama attends the funeral of a contemporary, and sees the shrinking circle of peers;
4. Crunch Time
   1. Mama’s husband is taken to hospital, leaving Mama feeling very alone, maybe?
5. [CLOSING SCENES]

Mm.

I could be onto something here.

 

* I know this is one of those dry technical posts but I can’t bring myself to spoil the ending.