Bodyguard (excerpt)

Synopsis:

The play is one of a series inspired by songs on Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ album – in this case, ‘Call Me Al’.

Betty, an up-and-coming starlet of the silver screen, is beginning to find her fans intrusive.

Quite by chance, she happens upon Jesus (Hispanic pronunciation Hey-soos), a street performer, dancing to the tune of Paul Simon’s ‘Call Me Al’.

Impressed by his take-no-shit style – he manages to rid her of the attentions of Barry, an annoying ex- – she decides to offer Jesus a highly-paid job as her personal bodyguard.

Not so easily bought off, Jesus still hankers after the freedom of the street.

His hankering, however, comes to a crashing halt when he is called upon to make the bodyguard’s ultimate sacrifice, with the roles of Betty and Jesus suddenly, strangely reversed.

As Betty undergoes the transformations deemed necessary in order to catapult her into the A-list, the guarding of her body becomes far more personal than either of them could have imagined possible.

Overcome by the trajectory of the now, she opens herself to the sordid maneuverings of Lou – a human casting couch – allows herself to fall prey to the dogged advances of Barry and, in reaching for stardom, fails to appreciate the centre of her own firmament.

In a piece that questions all of our assumptions about the physical vessels in which we spend our entire lives, we are taken on a journey that is as beguiling and as quirky as it is utterly unique.

Character Breakdown:

Four-hander:  Two females, two males.

BETTY FOX

WAITRESS  / MARTINA  / CLAUDETTE  / CINDY / DOCTOR  – one actor.

JESUS (pronounced Hey-soos)

PEDESTRIAN / MANAGER / BARRY / LOU  / FAN  / TOURIST  / FAN 2  – one actor.

Running-time: 100 minutes.

Production History: Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.