Foxfinder E-Book

Dawn King

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

A gripping and unsettling parable, Foxfinder is a darkly comic exploration of belief, desire and responsibility, set in a world both strange and familiar. William Bloor, a 'foxfinder', arrives at Sam and Judith Covey's farm to investigate a suspected contamination. He is driven by his education and beliefs to unearth and destroy an animal that threatens man's civilisation, and to remain free from its influence himself. As his investigations proceed, the events that follow change the course of all their lives - for ever. Winner of the 2011 Papatango New Writing Competition. 'Dawn King's play shines out like a beacon... the most compelling new work I have seen this year' Guardian

Leseprobe

Dawn King

FOXFINDER

Contents

Title Page

Acknowledgements

Original Production

Characters

Foxfinder

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Acknowledgements

With grateful thanks to everyone who helped, including:

The Peggy Ramsay Foundation for their financial support.

Paul Jenkins, who first helped me to see foxes.

Will Davis, Tom Mansfield, Terry Saunders, Julia Mills and Matt Connell for their advice and support.

Papatango Theatre Company and the Finborough Theatre.

Mum, Dad and my husband Mr Richard George, for everything.

Foxfinder was first performed at the Finborough Theatre, London, on 29 November 2011, with the following cast:

SAMUEL

Gyuri Sarossy

JUDITH

Kirsty Besterman

WILLIAM

Tom Byam Shaw

SARAH

Becci Gemmell

Director

Blanche McIntyre

Designer

James Perkins

Lighting Designer

Gary Bowman

Sound Designer

George Dennis

The play won the 2011 Papatango New Writing Competition, and was produced by the company.

Foxfinder received its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre, produced by Bill Kenwright, on 13 September 2018 (previews from 6 September 2018), with the following cast:

WILLIAM BLOOR

Iwan Rheon

JUDITH COVEY

Heida Reid

SAMUEL COVEY

Paul Nicholls

SARAH BOX

Bryony Hannah

Understudies

Vicki Davids

Patrick Fleming

Director

Rachel O’Riordan

Set & Costume Designer

Gary McCann

Lighting Designer

Paul Anderson

Composer & Sound Designer

Simon Slater

Characters

WILLIAM BLOOR, a foxfinder, nineteen

SAMUEL COVEY, a farmer, late thirties

JUDITH COVEY, his wife, attractive, early thirties

SARAH BOX, a neighbour, early thirties

1

A farmhouse kitchen. Minimal decoration, scrupulously clean. SAMUEL and JUDITH are sitting at the table. Both are in their Sunday best – neat, plain clothes of timeless appearance. It is raining heavily outside.

SAMUEL. Went up the top this morning. I reckon half that wheat has had it.

JUDITH. It might recover.

SAMUEL. Not if this weather keeps on.

Pause.

And east-gate field... waste of seed that was. It’s like a bog.

JUDITH. We might get something from it. Better than nothing.

SAMUEL. I planted it too early. You can say that.

JUDITH. We don’t know yet, do we? The rain could stop tomorrow.

Pause.

There’s a good crop of leeks coming.

SAMUEL. Huh. I wouldn’t call it good.

Pause. The rain batters against the windows.

Listen to it. It’s stupid travelling on a day like this.

JUDITH. He’ll be soaked. And frozen.

SAMUEL. Aye.

Pause.

Show me the letter again.

JUDITH holds out a letter. SAMUEL takes it. Looks at it.

Fancy hand he’s got. Very nice.

JUDITH. It’s an honour having one of them stay. Everyone says that.

SAMUEL. Huh. ‘Investigating the area.’ What does that mean?

JUDITH. I don’t know.

Pause.

SAMUEL. I don’t see why it has to be us.

JUDITH. It doesn’t say.

SAMUEL. There are plenty others as has more room. In ‘the area’.

JUDITH. Yes, but he –

SAMUEL. He should be staying at the big house.

JUDITH. He asked to stay here.

SAMUEL. Aye. He did.

Pause.

If there was something going on, on our land, I’d know. Don’t I know my own land? I’m out there all times of day and night and I’ve seen nothing. You’ve seen nothing. The men have seen nothing. There is nothing.

JUDITH. They’re clever. They hide, that’s what people say.

SAMUEL. I’d know.

JUDITH nods. Pause.

He’s heard something. Must have.

JUDITH. What?

SAMUEL. Someone’s been telling tall tales, I bet.

JUDITH. Don’t say that. Who’d do that?

SAMUEL. Could be anyone.

JUDITH looks worried.

JUDITH. No. That can’t be it.

SAMUEL. I’ll ask him when he gets here.

JUDITH. Don’t you dare! If someone’s said something, you’ll just make it worse!

Pause.

SAMUEL. Fine. Let him waste his time chasing rumours. I’ll say nothing.

Pause.

JUDITH. What time is it?

SAMUEL. Twenty past. He’s late.

JUDITH. He’ll be here soon.

SAMUEL. You said that an hour ago.

JUDITH. Maybe the roads are flooded.

SAMUEL. Aye, I reckon. And the bridge will be out before long.