Assault

Synopsis:

A young Muslim woman, Hamilah, is brought into a hospital ER, dressed in a burqa and unconscious for no known reason.

She is accompanied by her husband, Saadiq, who insists that she cannot be touched by a male nurse or a male doctor, as this would leave her defiled.

It is 2.45 am, and there are no female staff on duty, the closest female doctor being 20 minutes away.

Zac, an anaesthetist, is on the premises and, despite Saadiq’s vigorous protestations, calls security in order to restrain Saadiq whilst he, Zac, proceeds to try and resuscitate Hamilah.

Saadiq takes a knife to both the security guard and to Zac.

As a result, Saadiq is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon whilst Zac is charged with one count of assault and battery and one of indecent assault on the person of Hamilah.

The conflicting rights of these two men is played out in a tense, highly-charged courtroom drama.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a six-hander:  2 females, 4 males.

ZAC Harris

FADILAH Aronson / AKIA Habib – one actor.

ALLEGRA Matheson

SAADIQ El Fazi / BAILIFF – one actor.

Judge GLADSTONE / Judge STEINBERG / NURSE / GUARD – one actor.

INTERN / DECLAN / FOREMAN – one actor.

Running-time: 100 minutes.

Production History: Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.