A REHEARSED PLAY READING OF “THE GUTTER.”
ON
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH AT 11.00hrs IN THE STUDIO
Followed by lunch in Area One restaurant at 13.30hrs
The Gutter is a modern comedy written by a well-known Dutch playwright Ton Davids, and has been translated into English by JP members Helma Hermans & Leigh Patterson.
4 women & 3 men are needed to read/act the play so all you “raring to go actors” and actresses Please contact Helma Hermans helma@sciwricon.com, or tel 626 476 957 and she will send you a script. Below is a brief summary of the play, describing the characters.
“The Gutter” is the name of a shelter for the homeless. Management and care are in the hands of Anne and Vicky. Anne, the proprietor, sees charity as her life’s purpose but can sometimes be a bit authoritarian towards the residents. Vicky seems like an idealistic volunteer but is actually doing ‘research’ for an important TV role. There are four residents, all with their own quirks. Edward used to be an actor but has (had?) an alcohol problem. Wanda is an elderly prostitute, not very successfully still trying to earn some money. Joshua is a junkie who is selling the ‘homeless newspaper’, but he really wants to be a poet or a writer. Rita is the classic bum, complete with shopping cart. This shopping cart also serves as a pram for Izzy, a doll that she mothers with great dedication. Finally, there is Benny, a drunk who was previously kicked out of the Boarding House because of stealing. He is desperately trying to be taken in again.
The survival of ‘Boarding House The Gutter’ is threatened by the neighborhood, represented by Mrs Moreman. She has found the municipal zoning plan in which it is clearly stated that the building may only be used as a residence or office building. So evacuation of ‘Boarding House The Gutter’ is imminent. But just as the eviction seems to be final, Vicky learns that she has landed a role (playing a tramp) in a TV series. Subsequently, the residents (re)discover their own talents and start acting as supervisors of this young up and coming talent. ‘Boarding House The Gutter’ becomes The ‘Management Agency The Gutter’, and therefore an office building. ‘Management Agency The Gutter’ becomes a great success and the neighborhood is enthusiastic. Only Anne will have to find another charity, and Benny needs another shelter.
