Keynote

Synopsis:

Judah, a Nobel laureate, has been invited by Sheikh Abdullah, an Iranian, to be the senior judge adjudicating a new literary prize – the Golshiri Prize – that has been set up by the sheikh in order to try and build a bridge between Iran and the rest of the world.  He is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the award ceremon

Upon arriving in Tehran, Judah must inform the sheikh that he feels that the winner, as adjudicated by the judging panel, is not worthy of such a prize.

That’s when the politics kicks in, and Judah discovers that he is operating in a world with completely different rules from those to which he is accustomed.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a 6-hander: 2 females, 4 males.

JUDAH STEIN – 60 American

HENNY FLAUS – 30s Australian

NAWAL – 20s Syrian

AMIR – 20s Iranian

ALI SAID – 40 Egyptian

SHEIKH ABDULLAH – 40 Iranian / SAIF JALAL – 50s   Iranian – one actor.

Setting:

Hotel room, Tehran.

Running-time: 75 minutes.

Production History: Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.