OUR TOWN PLAY

I RECENTLY SAW A PLAY CALLED OUR TOWN AT THE SRJC. IT IS AN UNCONVENTIONAL PLAY WRITTEN BY JOHN SHILLING WRITTEN IN THE 1930'S. IT IS AN UNCONVENTIONAL PLAY AND HAS NO SCENERY EXCEPT FOR TABLES AND CHAIRS AND LADDERS. THEIR IS A STAGE DIRECTOR WHO SUPERVISES THE NARRATOR. THE PLAY IS IMPROVISED, MEANING THE ACTORS USE NO OBJECTS. THIS FORCES THE AUDIENCE TO FOCUS ON THE ACTORS.

ACT ONE IS THE DAILY LIFE OF A 2000 PERSON TOWN OF GROVER'S CORNER'S, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE STAGE MANAGER POINTS OUT WHAT IS IN OUR TOWN - STORES, THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, THE HOUSES OF THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR GARDENS, THE PAPER PUBLISHER, AND THE PAPER DELIVERY BOY. THERE'S A TRAIN IN TOWN. IN ONE HOUSEHOLD THE MOM SAYS FORGET THE HOMEWORK AND EAT HEALTHY IN THE MORNING.

AFTER THE CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL THE TWO MOMS EXCHANGE THEIR STORIES. THE DOCTOR AND HIS WIFE HAVE SOME DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT THEIR DESIRES TO TRAVEL. ONE MAN COMES TO STAGE AND DISCUSSES THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL MAKEUP OF OUR TOWN. THERE ARE NO CARES HERE YET.

ACT II - LOVE AND MARRIAGE
EMILY AND GEORGE WHO WERE HS SWEETHEARTS DECIDE TO MARRY. GEORGE DECIDES NOT TO MARRY GO TO COLLEGE.. THEY HAVE A A NERVOUS WEDDING

ACT III - DEATH

THREE YEARS PASS AND NOW FORD CARS ARE IN TOWNIN 1913. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PASSED ON ARE SITTING ON STAGE BEHIND A GREY SEE THROUGH SCREEN. IT IS RAINNG AND THE UNDERTAKER ENTERS THE STAGETO PROCEED WITH EMILY'S FUNERAL SHE DIED AFTER THE SECOND CHILD! HER COUSIN CAME TO THE FUNERAL. THE DEAD PEOPLE SPEAK TO EACH OTHER AND TO EMILY. SHE SAYS LIVING PEOPLE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TROUBLED PEOPLE ARE. SHE WISHES TO RETURN TO HOME ON A HAPPY DAY - HER BIRTHDAY. SHE GOES HOME AND IT IS 14 YEARS AGO AND HER MOM LOOKS MUCH YOUNGER. HER MOM TELLS EMILY FINALLY SAYS SHE CAN'T GO ON. SHE DECIDES TO RETURN TO THE CEMETERY. SHE SAYS TO HER MOTHER IN LAW "THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND DO THEY?" "NO THEY DON'T". THE PLAY ENDS.

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