100 Page 5
Guide
This and worse . . . Without thoughts and recollections to accompany you . . . to help you know yourself . . . you’re nothing!
I listened to your stories as I’ve listened to thousands of others . . . hoping in some way they would remind me. That some faint image of my life would return . . . something I could cling to. A second chance to decide.
From the moment I saw you there was something familiar about you. I had a feeling your memory could be the one.
(Shouts.) Choose!
Alex
I’m trying . . .
Guide
96 . . .
Alex
No . . .
Guide
Don’t stay in the void . . . 97!
Alex (he struggles to grasp an image)
I can’t see.
Guide
98!
Alex
Nothing! Nothing’s good enough!
Guide
99!
ALEX looks at the GUIDE. The final moments slip away. ALEX is lost.
(Smiles.) Time’s up.
The GUIDE leaves the stage. ALEX is left on his own.
Guide (off)
Sorry to have kept you all waiting . . . there’s been a bit of a backlog . . . well backlog’s the wrong word really . . . since time doesn’t exactly . . .
A pause.
(Off.) Welcome . . . to death!
ALEX looks around himself.
The End.
Christopher Heimann – director and co-writer
Co-wrote and directed 100 in a devising process at the Young Vic and Arcola Theatres, London. He co-wrote Food with Joel Harwood which premiered at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, during the Edinburgh Festival in 2006. Both 100 and Food won Edinburgh Fringe First Awards. Other credits include: a video installation for Mincemeat by Cardboard Citizens, Bold Girls at the Hens and Chicken’s, London and Las Cosas Tienen Vida at the Tribal Theater, Spain. Christopher directed the Michael Chekhov Training Programme for professional actors for two years, and has been a workshop director at the Gate Theatre, the Young Vic, the Arcola Theatre, Stratford Circus and for Orange Communications. Christopher also teaches improvisation at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he is also a member of the audition panel.
Diene Petterle – co-writer and producer
Diene Petterle is an award-winning writer/director of character-driven films. She has produced a lot of television where her credits include: The F Word, Mary Queen of Shops, Horizon, My Shocking Story and Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery. Her other fictional work as a writer/director includes the short films Mr Thompson’s Carnation, Fardo, Fate (Portuguese Kodak Award), Racing Rats and The Issue of the Case. Originally from Brazil, Diene has a degree in TV Production and an MA in Film Directing.
Neil Monaghan – co-writer
Writing credits include the critically acclaimed Beautiful People, commissioned by Alan Ayckbourn for the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and the controversial play Eye Contact, starring Kelly Brook, at the Riverside Studios, London. His other theatre work includes Dot Com and Bolt from the Blue (both for Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough). Dot Com was also adapted for radio and broadcast on Radio 4. Shows at the Edinburgh Festival between 1992 and 1998 include The Good Fight, Under Glass, The Bloody Chamber, The Cenci and Burnout. Television credits include Life’s Too Short, a sitcom com missioned by the BBC, and Bella Donna, a comedy drama series for Granada TV. Film credits include Human Nature, After Image, Made in Romania and Party Pieces. Neil also wrote and took photographs for John Prescott’s battle bus campaign diary during the 2001 general election.
A Nick Hern Book
100 first published in Great Britain in 2003 as an original paperback by Nick Hern Books Limited, The Glasshouse, 49a Goldhawk Road, London W12 8QP in association with theimaginarybody
This ebook first published in 2015
100 © 2003 by Diene Petterle, Neil Monaghan, and Christopher Heimann
Diene Petterle, Neil Monaghan, and Christopher Heimann have asserted their right to be identified as the authors of this work
Photo credit: Nevil Mountford
Cover image design: tangerine
Typeset by Country Setting, Kingsdown, Kent CT14 8ES
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978 1 85459 737 3 (print edition)
ISBN 978 1 78001 672 6 (ebook edition)
CAUTION This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Performing Rights Applications for performance by professionals and amateurs in any language and in any medium throughout the world (including readings and excerpts) should be addressed in the first instance to Performing Rights Manager, Nick Hern Books, The Glasshouse, 49a Goldhawk Road, London W12 8QP,
tel +44 (0)20 8749 4953, email rights@nickhernbooks.co.uk
No performance of any kind may be given unless a licence has been obtained. Applications should be made before rehearsals begin. Publication of this play does not necessarily indicate its availability for performance.