black 47 script.pdf

written by

Sean Donnelly

Priory Stage Black 47 The Musical 1

Characters

The Doyle’s

Enya Doyle .................................................................................................................... Main Character

Enya at 12................................................................................................................ (Younger Enya in Scene 1)

Eileen Doyle.................................................................................................................... Enya’s Mother

Donal Doyle.....................................................................................................................Enya’s Father

Rose Doyle............................................................................................................Enya’s Eldest Sister

Brenda & Martina Doyle .............................................................................. Enya’s Younger Twin Sisters

The O’Connors

Brian O’ Connor ................................................................................................................Main Character

Brian at 12............................................................................................................. (Younger Brian in Scene 1)

Conan O’Connor................................................................................................. Brian’s Younger Brother

Catherine O Connor..................................................................................................... Brian’s Mother

Maria O Connor,.......................................................................................................... Brian’s Older Sister

Marty Flynn.................................................................................................. Maria’s Newly Married Husband

Other Main Cast

Mad Mary Flynn ..............................................................................................................Marty’s Mother

Arron & Peter,............................................................................................................. Brian’s Best Friends

Workhouse Master............................................................................................................. The Workhouse Master

Lord Lucan................................................................................................................... The Doyles Landlord

Chorus

Ensemble of 40 to play workhouse paupers, villagers,


Scenes

ACT 1

Scene 1: The Wedding (Songs: Landscape Overture, A Weddings Wish, The Girl I Love)

*five years later- Monologue

Scene 2: The Field

Scene 3: Meet My Landlord

Scene 4: The Streets (Songs: These Days, Almost By Chance)

Scene 5: Sickness at Home

Scene 6: A Wanted Boy (Song: What We Waited For)

Scene 7: The Eviction (Song: Left Me Here Alone)

ACT 2

Scene 1: Workhouse (Song: Poor Paupers, Forever Conan)

Scene 2: Brian’s Realisation (Song: Makes No Difference)

Scene 3: State of Law (Songs: The Boy Will Pay, The Girl He Loved- Reprise)

Scene 4: Mad Mary & The Letter (Song: More Than Meets the Eye)

Scene 5: The Docks: (Songs: Makes No Difference- Reprise, The Parting)


Songs

ACT 1

1. Landscape Overture

2. A Wedding Wish

3. The Girl I Love

4. What We Waited For

5. These Days

6. Almost By Chance

7. Left Me Here Alone

ACT 2

8. Poor Paupers (The Workhouse Song)

9. Forever Conan

10. Makes No Difference

11.The Boy Will Pay

12. More Than Meets the Eye

13. The Girl He Loved (Reprise)

14. Makes No Difference (Reprise)

15.The Parting


Lighting Requirements

We require the theatre lighting technician to support and contribute ideas to this production

The mood of the entire piece is sombre so we would appreciate atmospheric pre-sets for the following scene types:

1. A Mid Day Country Landscape (Full Stage)

2. A Dark and mouldy interior of a Cottage (Part Stage)3. A Miserable interior of a Workhouse (Full Stage)

4. An Old Irish Street Scene

5. Strobe Lighting for end of Act 1

6. A brightly lit ending of the docks where many emigrated

7. Any additional ideas of special effects you can bring to the table

Sound Requirements

We require the theatre technician to support and help troubleshoot our sound on the get in day. The accompaniment to this show is pre-recorded and can be delivered to amplification by CD, iPod or Laptop. For vocalists, we would

appreciate the use of reverb for extra atmosphere.

The following performers need to be heard appropriately:

1. Acting/singing leads (8 Radio Lapel Mics)

2. An ensemble of 40 (Condenser Mics if Needed)

Projection AV Requirements

There is one instance where Visual Projection is required. It is a 2 minute sequence that should be played alongside the

song: Forever Conan at the beginning of Act 2. The Projection should face the stage floor and be on black & white.

Set Specifications

All Set has been built to industry health and safety standards. The Black 47 set is also flame retardant. The Black 47 set

does not require fixtures to floor or walls of theatre. All small structures are held by steel braces and sand bags.

There are three main set types for the play

1. Exterior Cottage and Country Landscape. Contains four 8x3 Foot polystyrene walls, a row of rear lit (led cans) fire

treated bare branches

2. Interior Cottage, Flipped Exterior of Cottage (size tbc)3. A Workhouse backdrop of two large rear lit stained windows

4. A old cart filled with bags of corn

5. A perrot wheel

6. A small led lit fire w/ pots


Safeguarding

Please read the Parent Handbook that be downloaded from www.priorystage.com

This book contains all our policies in working with young people.

Public Liability, Health & Safety

The Priory Stage Board of Directors have carried out adequate risk assessment of the B47 Performances. Priory Stage

also takes out £10 Million Public Liability Cover for Black 47 Performances.

Key Contacts

Sean Donnelly, Writer & Producer [email protected] 07895834551

Emma Mc Bennett, Director and Cast Relations [email protected]

Noilin Mullin, Co-Producer [email protected]

Note to Performing Company

As this is a chorus driven piece of work, there is a huge requirement for chorus to fully understand and commit

themselves to the context of the Great Hunger of Ireland 1845-1849. It is no easy task to put yourself in the the shoes of someone who stricken with hunger, grief and pain, and that’s why you need to do some research online. Check out

videos, pictures, articles & books.


http://www.priorystage.com

http://www.priorystage.com

mailto:[email protected]






ACT 1

Scene 1: Opening Irish Shindig/ ‘Landscape Overture’

West of Ireland, 1842

Two Families (O’Connors and Doyles) unite in song, dance & storytelling for a wedding between them. A young boy (Bryan) and young girl (Enya) meet not knowing of the harrowing struggle that lies before

them

Song: Landscape Overture

Lights dimmed blues and greens with smoke to set the atmosphere and landscape. Individually,

characters and wedding guests slowly take their place on stage staring into space.

Song: A Wedding Wish

After the Overture, Lights up & we burst into a vibrant array of song and dance where we meet the newly

married couple and their families.

Donal: agh! Well done folks! Never seen a better dancer than Young Enya there!

Brian: ahh that's nothin! Wait to ye see my feet go...

Brian tries to revive the party with his dancing but it doesn't really work that well

Mary: Brian, you havin a good time son?

Brian; aha (jumping down off the table)

Catherine O Connor (fixing food at the table): you're a bloody ejit!... Bryan as much as a love ye... Ye don't have legs like our enyas! Now away on a that with ye!!

Brian: agh mamy you're no fun! and Mamy.. Ive no one to play with!

Catherine: What about your younger brother Conan? why dont you spend some time with him?

Brian: ach I may as well play with that stool - hes too busy sleeping!

Catherine: well why don't ye go over and entertain young Doyle over there?

Brian (bashfully) ...huh? I dont know

Catherine: don't know what?

Brian: but... shes a girl?

Catherine: It doesnt even matter that shes a girl! you can still have fun.

Eileen: Oh no! here comes the mother of the groom- Mad Mary!

Mad Mary: awww Eileen! Arnt they just a blessing! Hasnt it been a heavenly day! Arnt ye just so proud,

hasnt you and donal put on such a big party, and did you ever think that our lad would marry thon lass! I have to say I seen it comin, I always knew! But Maria is such a good girl!


and such pretty girls these two are! what age are yis now? there not very talkative are they??

Eileen: I know but they make a quer noise the pair of them when they get going!! Enya darling run and get an extra few blankets for the twins.. It's getting a touch cold.

Enya: yes

Mad Mary: Not a bit! Not a bit! Any more blankets on them pair and you will have em smothered

(toasting his glass) well done to the newly wed couple! Can't believe our Marty has found a woman soo

beutiful as Maria!

Party: aww!

Mad Mary: so I want to tell ye son what my old ma told me the day your father and I tied the knot

Random Guest: (sarcastically) oh this will be good!!

Mad Mary: "May the roof above you never fall in, and those gathered beneath it never fall out!

Party applause'

Random Guest: ach for crying out loud she wouldn’t have said that!

Mad Mary: He did! I think I should know!

Random Guest: you wouldn't know a whole big pile Mary!

Party erupt with laughter

Mad Mary (turning to the newly weds and and reassuring them): Maybe he didnt say it? No he did? oh

wait... was it, ‘may the roof over your head be well thatched as those inside are well matched'

A Silence...

Marty: well if that's the case Mary, then your roof is in some god awful shape!!! Jokin!

Mad Mary starts to beat tim for embarrassing her and drags him off to the side to scold him. Party erupts even louder in laughter

Rose: ha, Isnt Mary just Mad!

Donal: That’s why they call her Mad Mary!

Eileen: Well I wish she would stop fussing over the twins for once! every time I see her she tells me what

Iv done wrong like smothering the girls, spoiling the prati or.. or... or I cant even a get a word in edge

ways!

Rose: Ah Don’t let her get to ye Mamy.. The woman likes the sound of her own voice -take no notice now!

Bored by everything else, Brian cautiously makes his way across stage to approach Enya.

Brian: eh.. do you wanna play?


Enya: What sort of introduction is that?

Brian: Sorry a mean, Iv no one else to play with, and your my age... and... it doesn’t even matter that

your a girl!

Enya: Well.. help me sort these... sorry who are you again?

Brian: Bryan O’ Connor! Man of the O’Connor Household!

Enya: And I’m Enya, nice to meet you Bryan.

Brian: (not very interested in anyone but himself): right.... and its my sister who got married today

Eileen: Marty and Maria! hows the thing now, just wanted to say that Im proud of yis both and I hope that

you both have a healthy life together.

Marty: Sorry about my mum, she always likes to put on a show

Maria: Marty! dont talk about Mary that way! Shes just a healthy talker

Marty: yeah she could talk for Ireland

Rose: Isn’t it just great to see the childer get on so well!

Donal: what in under God are they at anyway?

Rose: I think shes trying to show Brian a few moves!

Enya: No move your foot over there!

Brian: where here?

Enya: No there!

Brian: There?

Enya: No Here! if you would listen to me man... your hopeless...

Brian: Look show me one more time what you were doing and I promise i will look hard! promise!

Enya Dances short sequence

Brian: Now one last go

Byran dances and drastically falls and injures Enya

Catherine: Brian!! watch where your goin wud ye! your always hurtin Conan and now Enya?

Brian: Its her fault, standing in the way like a lost duck

Donal Consoles Enya.


Donal: where does it hurt?

Enya: My ancle! aww it aches!!

Donal: shh there now, can you walk?

Enya: ow (cries)

Donal: Well fear not, your old mans gonna carry you.

Song: The Girl I Love



A Wedding Wish

Marty: It’s this day were blessed here bride and bloom a future god please that’s see’s no gloom

Maria: How pure love it shows here on the green from now til our death and days between

Both : This is our wedding wish to live and life and love to love life and live with god above our only

wedding wish comes straight from the heart may the wish of love and life remain until the day we part

All – Since this day, you’ll have no fear. And don’t be afraid, you know we’re always here

We’re all here so sing dance all night

Oooh oooh….

This is your wedding wish to live and life and love to love life and live with god above your only wedding

wish comes straight from the heart may the wish of love and life remain until the day we part.


The Girl I love

Donal – There’s the girl I love, the girl I love

Away from her daddy I can see

That you will go further

You know this life is cruel, it’s oh so cruel

But I’m here always till the day you need me no further

Enya – But daddy wont you stay, I feel alone when you’re away

Donal – And even when you’re gone, I think of you because there’s the girl I,

There’s the girl I love, the girl I love, away from her daddy I can see that you will go further

You know

Enya – I know

Both – This life is cruel, it’s oh so cruel

But I’m here always

Donal – Til the day, you need me no further

Because there’s the girl…

Both - …I love

Scene 2: The Field

Light Up Stage Right Five years later, Brian and Conan enter stage right out of breath

Brian (exhausted, trying to spot Conan’s arrival): Conan! (Off Stage) ....Conan! (On Stage)

Waits. Conan bursts on to the stage

Conan: I think I lost him!

Brian: I hope so, God. He gave a good chase, he must have gave up!

Conan: Yeah! All that for a bit of veg!

Brian: To be fair, he must be getting sick of us pinching off his land all the time.

Conan: But I remember the days he didn’t mind as much.

Brian: I keep tellin ye Conan, the times are a changin! Even the well off Farmers are holding on to

everything they’ve got.... We mightn’t be so lucky next time.

Conan sits and inspects his left leg to see several cuts on his calf

Brian: Let me see, are they sore?

Conan: No just a few scratches, not deep or anything. I got caught up in a pile of briars.

Brian: Listen Conan- you need to be careful with that now. With so much illness going around that could

get worse, here lets get it sorted.

Brian tears a bit of his jacket and ties it firmly around Conan’s Cuts

Brian: This should keep till we get into town, see if the Soup Kitchen is as good as they say it is.

Conan: I keep thinking about mother (Mudder) and Maria. Are we going back to get them Brian?

Brian: Hopefully, Conan, Hopefully.

Conan: And do you think we have done the right thing?

Brian: Well theres no going back now young brother, we have to stay together- just like we always do...

Angry Off Stage Farmer: O’Conners!!!

Brian: Quick Conan, Run!

Brian and Conan Head Back off Stage Right to the Town

Lights Up Stage Left

Brenda: I’m sore! honestly I cant pick one more rotten prata

Martina: We will only be out another while Brenda, then we can have somthing to eat.

Enya: There will be nothing to eat if you two don’t get a move on!

Brenda: But I’m tired!


Enya: We only got out Brenda! Now get picking girls.

Martina: (Showing up a half rotten potato) What about this one Enya?

Enya: put it in the other basket

Brenda: Jesus- these prati!

Enya: What about them Brenda! Quit Brenda! Sure Iv been out all mornin, woken by the stench as

ususal, Mudders in tears and Donals a broken man! And...

Brenda Starts to Cry, Enya then is stunned- realising she has been so harsh.

Enya: Ach pet im sorry... we all have to be strong now, can you be a good girl and be strong?

Brenda (weeping): I don’t want to see everyone like this, everyones so mad

Enya: No its not that Im mad, I just want us to get as much food in for home as possible

Brenda: Is mummy dying?

Enya: No! Noo! Brenda shes a wee bit sick at the moment but shes going to be really better soon!

Martina: Here sis, give me a hug- were going to be fine!

Enya: whats that noise?

Conan (Offstage): Im knackered

Brian: Keep Going!!

Knocks into Enya

Twins: ough! (shocked)

Enya: watch where your going you heafer!

Brian: Sorry gotta run!

Enya: Wait!...... Brian?

Brian: Yeah

Enya: You’ve knocked me over before!

Brian: Really?

Both: The wedding!

Farmer: You can Run lads but il get yis!

Brian: Have to go

Enya: Wait, whats going on?

Conan: Hel tell you the next time he knocks you off you feet!


Scene 3: Meet My landlord

Light Up Stage left: Stage left is set up as a cottage interior featuring a few short stools, an old pot over

the fire and the rectangle light of a doorway shining on stage. Eileen is coughing

Rose: Wonder where Donal has got himself to!

Donal: And there ye have it, the towns not what it was at all..

Rose: So your not missing anything Eileen. Not much happening now...

Donal: The towns dead! and it’l be the women and children next a supose

Rose gives a stern look to Donal

Donal: How you feeling now Eileen?

Eileen: Ohh Donal, If I could just get this cough over me..

Enya and Martina enter stage left tired and begin sorting potatoes, Brenda goes straight to her mother

to care

Donal: Good Girls, make sure to wash all them skins well

Brenda spots landlord lucan on the approach

Brenda: Lucan! Landlord Lucan

Rose: Heading this way?

Donal: Brenda see to your mother, no one else speak. Enya put away them lumpers

knock

Lucan: Afternoon Doyles...

Donal: Your Lord..

Lucan: Rent. Rent is up.

Donal: jeasus again?

Lucan: again yes, that is what I said.

Donal: sure you know there is nothin! we’re down to nothin now

*Assistant: Not Lord Lucan’s Issue

Donal: I’m not talkin to you

Lucan: well Im talking to you man- your hardly doing a good job of the crop and you have to pay your

way like everyone else.

Martina: Don’t you see it! there is no crop!

Donal: leave it marti.....

Lucan: (interrupting) Im quite aware how idle your old man has got, many another are hitting the


roadworks

Donal: look, we’re all busting ourselves. Trying to make ends meet... and why is it up again?

Lucan: Rates man, Rates! I have to pay.... where you are under the impression its an option. Let me tell

you that you may find a way or consider your selves like the Hagans or .. the O’connors

Rose: Hysterically Homeless?

Brenda: Conan and Bryan?

Lucan: I have levelled a few homes now and theres going to be a few more by the sounds of it.

Rose: what are we to do?

Lucan: what you always do when you need money, find work, stop lamenting over the fields, dont have

any more children... I dont care. One week.

Rose: Wel have your money, just be easy on us- give us time?

Lucan: That, I already have done. One Week.

Silence

Rose: Thats the biggest bollocks in Ireland

Eileen: ssshhhhh ... I dont want him back!


Scene 4: The Streets

The streets: Bryan and Conan brother talk

(Entering Stage Right)

Brian: A good drop of water would be the job now Conan, what do you think?

Conan: God AYE!

Brian: We must be able to get some along with a bita soup over there..

Conan: Bryan… here, what was your woman’s name we just ran into back there?

Brian: Why?

Conan: No Reason

Brian; think her name’s Enya or somthin like that. Met her back at Maria’s Wedding.

Conan: Did you fancy her then too?

Brian: What!?

Conan: Enya… You had a very tight eye on her back there!

Brian: No Conan, im not a sop, not like that Marty Bollocks

Conan: I think Marty is a great lad

Brian: Not a bit the mans a coward, couldn’t look after our Maria at all. First sign of trouble and he was gone!

Song: These Days

Conan: What’s all the commotion?

Brian: Jees Whats that?

Conan: Com ON and get a better look!

Brian: Conan! frig im always running after you Conan.... what is it?

Conan: A load of corn!

Brian: Really? Going outa the country no doubt! Its well guarded no ones getting past that!

Conan: Is that Marty?

Song: Almost By Chance



These Days

Conan

There’s things bout us you need to know

things I ought to tell

It would surprise you older brother

Why I think we do so well

Brian

That’s right Conan, You’re not slow

I couldn’t do without you

Despite what’s all around us

We’re gonna make it through

It’s not just jobs we’re good for

It’s not just things we do.

The fact that we need no one

together, me and you

Both

All the folks that come against us

All the folks that dare

It might just be they picked the two wrong brothers

And every time there is a problem

Almost every day

It’s our two heads that sorts the whole thing out

Us brothers, these days (x4)


Almost By Chance

Peasant 1: Please sir but might you help this boy

Officer 1: Move along now, on your way now

Peasant 1: It’s just some food he needs to see morning

Officer 2: Move along now, have no song now

Peasant 1: But sir, I ask this once to give

Officer 1: ask all you want

Peasant 1: See us bear the bitter cold- we need to live!

Officer 3: You need to find the works, its lazy men who hurts

Times are hard for all

So men prepare, we’re off. These goods are bought

by honest men- that’s all (Optional)

Chorus: Almost by chance they take everything, this time we sing, tonight we take no more! No more no

more no, no more no more no, no more no more no, no more no more.

Peasant 2: Stop where does end of all this food

Officer 1: say no more now, know your place now

Peasant 3: For that corn was grown on Irish Soil

Officer 2: When does one need told for good

Peasant 4, 5 and 6: But were not going anywhere

Officer 1: stay all you want

All: See us bear the bitter cold- we need to live!

Chorus: Almost by chance we find everything, this time we sing, tonight we take no more! No more no

more no, no more no more no, no more no more no, no more no more.

Scene 5: Sickness at Home

Lights up Donal and Eileen on stage. Eileen coughs while donal is fixing a fire.

Donal: Need something dear?

Eileen: No..i think i’m ok

Donal: here rest your feet now, its been a long day.

Eileen: where’s the girls?

Donal: they’re down at the lake. Don’t be worried now they will be back soon

Eileen: I am worried, Donal. I’m scared…

Donal: why? Listen Eileen.. Im tellin yethe girls wil be fine!

Eileen: I’m not talkin bout the girls, well… I am.

Donal: I don’t follow

Eileen: what will become of us all now Donal, you know this is going to work out.

Donal: sure it is! Me an Paddy got talkin to a few men in town whos got work and we’re goin with em!

Eileen: No you’re not. The girls need someone to look after them and you don’t stand a chance at the

roadworks. Sure look at ye- yer starvin, like me, like all of us. Maybe paddy can make it but you need to

know that the girls come first.

Donal: Don’t talk like that Eileen, you’re talkin like yer someone whos…

Eileen: Dying? To be honest I could see this happening a long time ago. If lucan puts us out on the

mud, that is what will happen. You have to look after the girls, they need a future. I know you’re an

honest man. Always was. Always will be. But… (starts to weep) you must do something, to keep the

girls from harms way.

Donal: I will. We are all going to stick together now Eileen. I promise that! And you have Enya to count

on too. That girl has heart of gold and she see to the girls as long as she has to.

Eileen: I best get up…

Donal: No, you’re sleeping ye hear, take some needed rest. Tomorrows a new day.

Donal has a distressing moment as Eileen falls off to sleep. Enya enters stage left

Enya (whispering) Donal…. Whats wrong? Are you crying?

Donal: No..

Enya: right well then I have the twins sorten dinner tonight and you havnt got the fire lit nor nothin. I

brought you sticks didn’t I? … do you need more?

Rose enters stage left with paddy.

Rose: are ye right Enya?

Donal: Where ye off to now?


Martina/Brenda: (Enter making a fuss)

Rose: shh! Your mam’s asleep. Shut up your loud mouths

Enya: off to Angela, we might be able to get a bop or two for a few bits ands pieces.

Donal: Good lass..

Enya: light that fire! Right Rose, lets go.


Scene 6: A Wanted Boy

Bryan and Conan are sitting round talking to friends Aaron and Pater after the Riot.

Peter: And I thumped him! he didn’t know what hit him!

Brian: I’m tellin ye, ye done the right the thing! damn these boyos are getting too sure of themselves.

The people need to speak like that up more often!

Conan: what was stopping you from speaking up? didn’t see you running in to save the day?

Brian: that’s cus im too busy lookin after you ye runt. And quit running off on me, do you want to get a

dig from the back end of a gun?

Aaron: He’s right Conan, there was a few young lads that got a right doing in that riot, you’re safer out

of it cub!

Peter: well the main thing is, that your man got his teeth knocked in, he was a sour git anyway!

Aaron: I see him all the time with food, no notion of feeding people or slipping a bit of food atal.

Conan: But like it’s not his to give, he would lose his job?

Brian: Not the point Conan, people are dying. There’s too much greed. It’s people like that are

responsible for your Mam and your Sister.

Peter: What! Catherine? Maria? are they...

Brian: No Peter, they’re not dead. At least I don’t think so anyway...

Peter: what happened?

Brian: about a week ago... got an angry man at the door, evicted us from the home and we were sent

to the Workhouse in the town there. Owed Lucan a pile of money in rent, It wasn’t pretty... We had no

option in the matter. It was that or live rough.

Aaron: Really? why are you here then? where are you sleeping?

Brian: well. Its not like we were guna see here in there, Ive heard bad stories about that place

Peter: Havnt we all! Aw Bryan I’m sorry that place is no way for your poor mother to end up

Conan: But we’re going back to get them! Arnt we Bryan??

Brian: Well, lets try and get ourselves sorted first?

Peter takes Bryan off to the side, Aaron entertains Conan.

Peter: I cant believe that is what you’ve told him. Is that your plan? you know there’s no hope in that..

Brian: Well what better would you have done Peter! I’m trying to do the best for him he loves his

mother too much, he needs hope

Peter: Well... I see, but you need to think of something quick, get that boy shelter before he catches something. He’s cut from head to toe!

Enya and Rose Enter Stage Right


Rose: What happened here? there’s mess everywhere

Grainne: Girls, watch the guards don’t catch you, they’re on the prowl after the riot

Enya: We’ll be outta here soon

Enya looks at Brian

Grainne: Aw young love...

Conan: There’s the love of your life Bryan!

Enya and Rose laugh at how embarassed Bryan is.

Peter: Aww Bryan, you kept this one quiet!

Brian: Sure I hardly know her! well I do, but I don’t.

Boys start to laugh

Peter: Well go and get to know her a bit better! (Pushes him centre stage)

Rose: God, this boys keen!

Enya: That’s him, the boy I was telling you about- Bryan.

Brian: (Nearvously) Enya! Fancy meeting you here!

Conan (Calling from the side of the stage): Yeo! That’s not all ye fancy!

Enya: I heard you and your family got kicked out of your home? what happened?

Brian: Well its a long story, but basically I’m being chased for the rent. Me Ma and me Sis are at the

Workhouse, Conan and me scampered. Its a mess, and I don’t see how things are going to get better.

Enya: well we are not much better off, Lucan has us on our toes as well looking rent.

Brian: Lucan? he’s a bad brute! How long has he gave you?

Enya: A week.. what about your brother, he seems to be enjoying himself?

Brian: Well, not really, he misses his mother, and i’m sure she misses him. The only thing is, he hasnt

had a decent bite to eat in a while and he needs a bit of shelter.

Enya: why don’t you and Conan stay with us for a while?

Brian: Really? are ye serious?

Enya: Yeah because my old man Donal could do with a few extra men around the house right now.

Brian: Well, Conan and I have a few tricks and a few places where we normally take our fill. Me and

Conan can take your Donal with us.

Enya: stealing?

Brian: no, borrowing!

Enya: well, ok. My mothers sick, she needs food to keep her strength up, and we need to be ready for


when the landlord comes back.

Brian: Do you know the Allen Estate? Me and Conan have em’ tortured, we know all the shortcuts in and out. Between us and Donal, your muther will get the grub she needs.

Song: What We Waited For


What We Waited For

Enya – Ever since I saw you I caught nerves that just feel right

I thought so much to the point that I cant sleep at night

Brian – Yes, my hearts been beating

It’s been beating all this time

I couldn’t find the reason why but now I wonder how

Both – Didn’t know its how you feel could it be or is it real

Maybe this is what we waited for

Enya – Who knew that time would bring me back to the boy I was fond, what hope there is in a time like

this only god that will know why

Both – Didn’t know its how you feel, could it be or is it real

Maybe this is what we waited for

Enya – If only time could bring me back to point that I was found

Would hope there isn’t a time like this that

Both – Yes ours hearts been beating

Its love that fills the gap from sunrise to dawn

Could it be or is it real maybe this is what we waited for

Scene 7: The Eviction

Rose: That’s a good evening for a dip in the lake.

Enya: Maybe you could catch a few fish when you’re in there!

Rose: Maybe I might! Hopefully Enya (scuffling her hair)

Enya: Did Donal and Bryan get back yet?

Rose: They have been away the guts of the day, where are they?

Enya: They are away on a job gathering some food for us all. I think they took Conan with them.

Rose: Young Conan knows the score, he’s not daft! In fact, the last few days have been great, extra bit of

help around the house.

Enya: By the way don’t be telling Mammy Rose, She’s sleeping and she doesn’t need to know.

Rose: Doesn’t need to know what? What you and Bryan were up to yesterday?

Enya: Rose!

Rose: You both have got very acquainted very quick! (hears noise)

Rose: Wait! Shh!

Enya: What is it?

Rose: Right, do you think Donal and the boys will be back soon?

Enya: Hopefully, why what is it?

Rose: We’re gunna need them.. Brenda! Martina!

Martina: What!

Rose: Get everyone into the house, we’re not going down without a fight.

Brenda: The Landlord?

Rose: He’s on his way, and He’s got men with him...

Song: Left Me Here Alone



Left Me Here Alone

Enya – Still more lives must pay in rent,

It grieves us too much cause harm is intent

Tempers rise but no one can stop this tragedy

Only you, you told me to stand up tall

But how can I stand when you’re nowhere in sight

I only hope that we will be alright tonight

But now it’s over, all is gone

How could this fair out

You left me here alone, alone

And wind rushes through our rustling trees

Stench in the air, that’s no summer breeze

Can’t take this no more, cant take what’s become a tragedy

Only now, I’ll change

I’ll fight till I’m blue

I’ll fight to survive, I’ll forget about you

I only hope that we will be alright tonight

But now it’s over, all is gone

How could this fair out

All – You left me here alone…

ACT 2

Scene 1: Workhouse

Act 2 Opens in a huge miserable workhouse. We catch up with Catherine & Maria (Brian & Conan’s

Mother & Sister). Workhouse paupers grind the perrot wheel and retreat when song has completed

Song: Poor Paupers

Workhouse Master orders a pauper to move quickly after she falls out of the perrot wheel. After a Matron walks in and hands the WM a note, he calls:

WM: Catherine O Connor!

Silence

WM: ... Catherine! ... O Connor!

Catherine makes her way through the crowd after the others happily give her room and exposed her.

Maria: (Crying) Mammy!

Others drag Maria back from distraction

WM: Yes that’s right, you have a message. Hurry Up.

Catherine: What is it? Is it Bryan? Have you found him?

WM: I was not looking for anyone, and I don’t think I will by the looks of things..

WM Hands Catherine the note

Catherine: What is this?! I cant read it..

WM: “Catherine O’Connor, I write to tell you that on the early hours of Tuesday morning, after theft,

your boy was shot dead on the Allen Estate along with a Mr Donal Doyle. His remains have yet to be

found but I assure you with God’s help I will strive to send word when I know more. I know you will be in distress, please be strong, Fr John Fitspatrick.

Catherine bursting into hysterics: Dear God!

Maria (Squeals): Conan... Bryan!

Instrumental Music

Catherine: Who was it? (Crying) Bryan or Conan?

WM: (Taken Back) I Don’t Know.. (turning to Others) Right, back to work!

Maria (Weeping): Why does Bryan get himself into these messes, why where they apart?

Catherine: You can’t blame either of them... for not wanting to be here, but it must be worse out

there...

Maria: this can’t be real! who do you think it was?

Catherine: I’m afraid to say, I don’t think I can handle any more of this torture


Maria: Don’t mammy, try to be strong like what what Fr Fitspatrick...

Catherine: His word doesn't matter anymore, God has made up his mind about us.....

Song: Forever Conan


Scene 2: Brian’s Realisation

Cutting Back to an open landscape, a flute ‘air’ version of ‘Left Me Here Alone’ is playing. Aaron & Peter

have been digging a whole and are waiting.

Peter: I don’t know how we’re gonna do this. I don’t know... how under God He’s gonna do this.

Aaron: I suppose we just gotta do what we can

Peter: Here he comes...

Bryan enters Stage Right with his younger brother in his arms. He falls with the weight and begins to cry.

Aaron & Peter start to well up and then there is a joint effort to lay young Conan to rest. After the effort

has been made, Bryan starts to go into convulsions over the situation.

Peter: Bryan, Bryan... Breath.. Thats it, Good Man, Breath

Aaron: Here take a seat

Brian: It’s been a day, and I still can’t wake up.

Peter: This is tough, no beating around the bush... you just need to...

Brian: I should have looked after him! Why did he run off again!

Aaron: You could ask yourself a hundred times over but.. Conan was conan..

Brian: Listen I think I just need to talk with him one last time..

Peter: Sure, you know where we are

Song: Makes No Difference


Scene 3: State of Law

Lights up Stage Right

Song: The Boy Will Pay

Lucan: Did you find that O’Connor one yet?

Landlord Assistant: Not yet, since he got away that night on the estate, my men have their orders to

kill on sight.

Lucan: Good. That boy has been causing trouble for more people than I can count.

Landlord Assistant:: Why did he not go to the workhouse?

Lucan: I don’t know, the boy lives in a fantasy land.

Landlord Assistant:: Where would we find him?

Lucan: Well he was with Donal Doyle that night, so there must be a tie there. Maybe try one of the youngsters.

Landlord Assistant:: Has that family not been evicted?

Lucan: Yes but they’re building a shack somewhere along that road with the stones

Landlord Assistant:: Either way, we will find him.

Lights Up Stage Left

Song: The Girl He Loved (Reprise)

Brian: Enya.... I.. it wasn’t my fault..... And Conan.....

Enya: You, are you stupid?

Brian: What? you thought it was a good idea as well.

Enya: Bringing Conan? No. he was only a boy. Did you really think it through? If you hadn’t met me,

where and how could you have looked after him. And now Donal, my daddy, gone aswel.

Brian: It was a freak accident.

Enya: It was no accident, they were shot Brian

Brian: well did you think it through? if i’m that bad, why did you let your old man work away with me then? Because you were getting somthing out of it. And you treated your old man like dirt, as if he

didn’t have worth anymore. You have some lip on ye, whatever happened to the nice girl I met five

years ago.

Enya: Stop! (Crying) I loved him... more than you can know

Bryan embraces Enya after a struggle

Brian: we both have lost someone we love Enya, I will make this right. I promise, there has to be good

at the end of this.


Scene 4: Mad Mary & The Letter

Mad Mary: Brian Son. I wanted to talk to ye. Things havn’t been good, I Know?

Brian: Mary, No. I could have had an easier time, I just miss him so much.

Mary: I know sweetheart. Well, this is life right now. This could be God’s rebellion for all we know

Brian: You always told us it was the fairies that caused this.

Mary: No!! To be honest, someone had to keep spirits up by talkin nonsense. And if people enjoyed calling me Mad, then it took their attention away all the bad things in this world, and thats what made me happy.

Brian: You’re not mad at all are you Mary?

Mary: As I always say, Not a bit! Listen I spoke to Fr Fitspatrick yesterday about a letter I got. I knew it was from my

brother who shipped himself off to America two years ago.

Brian: How did you know, you cant read?

Mary: Well, no one else bothers to send me letters. I always get Fr Fits to read them for me. This letter had a one way

ticket across the Ocean for my boy Marty. But as ye know, Marty’s not about, no one knows where he is.

Brian: You know Mary, I always thought Marty to be a good lad. I’m sorry for always going up against him, I just thought

I would have to keep the image up after him and Maria went their own ways.

Mary: I know you well Brian and I know you’re a good natured lad. Dont be worrying about it. Take the ticket.

Brian: Sorry What?

Mary: Take the ticket and give yourself a chance at a real life. I know your mother would have wanted this for you.

Brian: Really?? What about Enya?

Mary: I spoke to Enya yesterday about this. You will work and in return send money for another ticket, if that’s what she

wants.

Song: More than Meets the Eye

Lights Fade. In the opposite side of the stage, lights up the Doyle Family outside a wee shack, Eileen in Dying.

Martina: It’s ok Mammy, you’ve done well.

Brenda: We’re all here, Enya will be on here way now Eileen

Rose: Hold her wee hand Martina

Brenda: Your worries are all over now mammy

Martina begins to cry, realising that Eileen has slipped away.

Martina: Oh God!

Song: More Than Meets the Eye


Scene 5: The Docks:

Peter: Are you sure about this?


Brian: I’m certain, tell Enya and her family I will write.

Aaron: We will

Peter: We won’t be too far behind you Bryan

Song: Makes No Difference (Reprise)

Enya: Brian!

Brian: Enya!

Enya: Mary told me you would be leaving, I had to see you before you left

Brian: You should be home, with your family

Enya: I’m going there..

Brian: I will write, and I’ll be sending the price of a ticket, all being well.

Enya: It shouldn’t have ended like this..

Brian: You look after yourself you hear?

Enya: ...

Brian: You hear me now?

Enya: Brian...

Brian: We’re gonna see each other again

Enya: I Hope so.

Song: The Parting


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