The Panther (2009) - A play in two acts - 80 min
Translated by Elisa Corbett
Synopsis: A couple in a grocery store get trapped while shopping for a pre-wedding family dinner. A wild beast in the store makes them face their true relationship.
CHARACTERS:
SHE: approximately 30 years of age.
HE: approximately 30 years of age.
PANTHER: roar/play of shadow and light to the discretion of the direction.
TIME: present.
PLACE: an upper-middle class supermarket.
SCENE 1 – SHOPPING IN THE SUPERMARKET
There are three parallel aisles. The first one (from left to right) carries cleaning, gardening and personal hygiene products. In the second one, there are juices and alcoholic beverages on one side and spices and sauces on the other. In the third aisle, there are candies, cakes, candles and products for birthday parties such as balloons, and a fruit and vegetable table in the center.
I suggest that the scenery does not realistically portray a supermarket and the products should not be familiar to the public. Scenography can abstract from this idea of three parallel aisles suggesting a supermarket, as long as there is a claustrophobic feeling on stage.
The supermarket is lit by a white light. There is a red sign that says “EXIT” on the right hand side of the stage. The sign’s red light is off.
HE and SHE choose products placing them on the trolley, which is driven by He.
They speak in a low voice. The audience cannot understand what they are saying. The dialogue begins right after the third bell.
HE
It can’t survive.
SHE
And what should we do, lock it up?
HE
(Ironically)
No, we can put screens everywhere.
SHE
I’m not living in a prison.
HE
(Looks at a shelf, refers to the products, colored boxes)
What’s the difference?
SHE
There must be another way.
HE
Well, we can live in an apartment.
SHE
No, I’ve always lived in a house; I like houses. I spent two years designing one for us. How can you say something like this?
HE
(Picks up a box, reads the package, talks to himself)
