GUTTERSNIPE
Shakespearean English Stage Play with Translation
Stephanie M.
Sellers
Guttersnipe (Shakespearean English) by Stephanie M. Sellers
This stage play, encompassing
fifty-three pages for each of the two versions, doth present a literary adaptation drawn from the works of
Shakespeare, with a central motif inspired by Plato's "Cave."
It unfolds in a coastal realm, replete with opulent
districts juxtaposed with the destitution of the denizens dwelling within the
Guttersnipe caverns, the only place where azure glowworms thrive.
Entitled Guttersnipe, this
theatrical work artfully weaves elements from Shakespearean dramas: the masked
personas of Twelfth Night conceal their true sentiments; the
narcissistic parenting and envy portrayed in King Lear result
in displacement; the Machiavellian schemes of Othello and the
sociopathic Iago, who, emerging from penury, aspires to royalty and entertains
notions of sorcery and homicide.
Ancient philosophies intertwine throughout the narrative.
Plato's allegory of the "Cave" in The Republic illustrates
the deluded existence of the naive denizens of Guttersnipe:
"We see
the natural world, in other words, partly through the lens of convention, and
however much these conventions may differ from community to community or from
cave to cave, every community or cave depends upon conventional beliefs about
human being, god, and world for its continued existence. The best community of
the Republic is distinguished principally by the nobility of the 'lies' it
tells its citizens, not by its freedom from the necessity dictating their
use" (Bartlett 118).
Guttersnipe delves into the notion that love maketh a home. The
impoverished denizens of Guttersnipe dwell upon the outskirts of an affluent
county, clandestinely targeted for acquisition by the elite for its cave,
aligning with their magical-reality tourism aspirations. (Think virtual
reality.) These folk’s abodes are hewn into the cavern walls. Tranquility
reigns when compassionate sisters, who discover their kinship with the
Guttersnipe "royalty," extend aid in the form of employment,
conveyance, and instruction.
The play doth explore themes of love and
clandestine existence, as the homely, veiled sibling, Dula, transcends a
childhood marked by sorrow to realize her worthiness of affection. Meanwhile,
the community grapples with the revelation that their sovereign is unworthy of
their allegiance.
The translation follows the
Shakespearean version.
Stephanie Sellers is a journalist and English instructor in
North Carolina.
SAMPLE:
Mike
concealeth himself in a hidden recess.
ALMA
... as their queen, and establisheth
a domicile here. I canst construct upon the grounds and commenceth a movement
for traditional housing. I canst bring them up to speed and prepare them for
life without Dula.
Water
DRIPPETH. Glitter SHIMMERETH from the ceiling. A lengthy stalactite CRASHETH
near Alma, causing her to run to the far wall. She looketh around and
approacheth the low passageway cautiously.
MIKE
CALLUM
(voice disguised)
The populace hath spoken. Queen
Dula. Queen Dula. Queen Dula.
Alma rusheth
upon her hands and knees through the passageway. Moments later, Mike emergest
from his hiding place. He windeth up fishing line from the fallen stalactite
and sweepeth up the minerals scattered by the fall.
MIKE
CALLUM
That woman had better abandon this
cat daddy’s hole, or she shall find herself as my gudgeon bait.
PIT PATS
sound from the passageway, and Mike concealeth himself as Red hastily returneth
to his boat and signal-eth for Rocky to untie the rope.
SCENE FOUR
GUTTERSNIPE - CAVE - INNER SANCTUM -
DECEMBER - DAY
Alma weareth enchanted sight
spectacles as she crawleth through a narrow cave passage and cometh to a rope
hanging over the inner sanctum. Daylight is visible along the rope's length.
She descendeth down the rope. A crown and gown awaiteth upon the altar.
She danceth
as soon as her feet touch the ground, taketh the gown and crown into a hidden
area, changeth attire, and emerge as distant MUSIC intensifieth. Dancing
shadows materialize as her followers.
A banquet
obstructeth the passageway of the sanctum. Water DRIPPETH into a punch bowl.
Darkness
followeth along the rope's length. It is within her reach.
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