In The Shadow of Assange E-Book

Nicolas Benjamin

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 80

Beschreibung

This is an adaptation for theatre of the book No Heroes, No Monsters 2024 (original title: I skuggan av Assange 2021), detailing experiences at the hands of Julian Assange. SETTING The play spans over a nine-year period. Due to the minimalistic style, locations vary and quickly change. Annas apartment remains one of the few distinguished locations. The effect is to give the impression that we are almost in Annas head, viewing her fragmented memories as she recalls them. STAGING Minimal set and props. The main furniture comes from the apartment set, but all of this is wheeled on and off. An apron or platform at the front of the stage is needed, so that the action can continue, even if the curtains are drawn. LIGHTING Lighting is key, but basic in this play. Strategically placed spotlights and a range of coloured hues is all that is required. MUSIC The play includes a predominately classical soundtrack from mainly female composers. As it stands, all music is currently royalty free.

Leseprobe

What follows is an adaptation of the book ‘No Heroes, No Monsters’ © 2024 (original title: I skuggan av Assange © 2021), detailing experiences at the hands of Julian Assange. Although some of the content has been omitted or edited with artistic license, this play endeavours to show an honest and emotional representation of the events that unfolded over almost a decade.

CHARACTERS

ANNA ARDIN-A member of the Religious Social Democrats of Sweden, turned Deacon. Our stories narrator and witness. One of Julian’s victims.

JULIAN ASSANGE- The founder of Wikileaks

ANDREAS-Annas ex-fiancé

MARIA-A volunteer at one of Julian’s Seminars and eventual victim of Julian

DONALD-A Journalist

PETER-Chairman of the Social Democrats

VICTOR-President of the youth wing of the Social Democrats

JOHANNES-WikiLeaks’ United Kingdom contact.

OLOF-An attendee of Julian’s seminar.

CLAES-Anna Ardins lawyer.

ENSEMBLE

POLICE OFFICERS, REPORTER, FESTIVAL OFFICALS, SUPPORTERS, DARK FIGURES

CASTING SUGGESTIONS

Due to the nature of the play, a multi rolling cast structure is suggested. Below is a breakdown of practical character groupings. Although these groupings can be changed to suit the cast.

ACTOR 1-Anna Ardin

ACTOR 2- Julian Assange

ACTOR 3-Andreas, Reporter 1, Supporter 1, Festival Official 1, Dark Figure.

ACTOR 4-Maria, Reporter 2, Festival Official 2

ACTOR 5-Donald, Supporter 2

ACTOR 6-Peter, Police Officer 1, Festival Official 3, Dark Figure

ACTOR 7- Victor, Police Officer 2, Festival Official 4, Dark Figure

ACTOR 8- Johannes, Supporter 3, Dark Figure

ACTOR 9-Olof, Reporter 3, Supporter, Dark Figure

ACTOR 10-Claes

SETTING

The play spans over a nine-year period. Due to the minimalistic style, locations vary and quickly change. Annas apartment remains one of the few distinguished locations. The effect is to give the impression that we are almost in Annas head, viewing her fragmented memories as she recalls them.

STAGING

Minimal set and props. The main furniture comes from the apartment set, but all of this is wheeled on and off. An apron or platform at the front of the stage is needed, so that the action can continue, even if the curtains are drawn.

LIGHTING

Lighting is key, but basic in this play. Strategically placed spotlights and a range of coloured hues is all that is required

MUSIC

The play includes a predominately classical soundtrack from mainly female composers. As it stands, all music is currently royalty free.

VOICE OVERS

Some roles within the play are listed as voice overs only. These roles do not appear in the character sheet and can be performed by anyone either in or outside of the cast.

PROJECTION

The first act ends with a projection of a twitter. This can be removed if required.

RIGHTS

All rights to this play and its accompanying book are held by Anna Ardin. Any groups, professional or amateur, wishing to stage this play should contact the rights holder.

Table of Contents

ACT 1

PROLOGUE

SCENE 1

SCENE 2

SCENE 3

SCENE 4

ACT 2

SCENE 1

SCENE 2

SCENE 3

SCENE 4

SCENE 5

ACT 1

PROLOGUE

A darkened stage. We hear the screams and panicked shouts of women, mixed with gunfire and explosions. The distant sound of a military helicopter, combined with distorted and shouted orders in a variety of languages serves to underplay the entire scene. Footage of the Iraq war is projected on the back wall, illuminating the space. We see images of violence against civilians, war crimes, instances of corruption and abuse of power, all pieced together into one moving collage of the true evils of war. The light from the projection illuminates ANNA.

ANNA

‘A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy. A wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim’. If only the rest of the world could see that. If only the rest of the world was so kind. Some have called me a whore, a manipulator. Some accuse me of hating men. Others think I crave attention. I have heard it all before. I have waited and I have listened. I have double-checked my memories, recalled every threat and allegation that was levelled against me. I have done all can in preparation for this moment. It’s now time to raise the curtain on the past. To present to you a show without angels or monsters. A show where heroes can be villains, and where truths may be somewhere in the nuances between black and white. My story is my own, and yet belongs to so many. My story is unique but has been heard before. Why then are we surprised to be here again? Why do we let the same narrative unfold? (Pause) For the feminists, every single one of you, I thank you and stand with you. To the rest, please enjoy this look behind the headlines.

The soundscape of screams and military activity slowly fades. Everything is silent by the end of ANNAS speech.

SCENE 1

Applause suddenly breaks out.

DONALD

(From the back of the audience)

Stop! Can we have the lights up please?

The footage is suddenly frozen on a still image from ‘Collateral Murder’. The lights come up on stage. We are in a large meeting room chairs and desks are dotted around the space. DONALD, stands up from within the audience and slowly makes his way on to the stage.

DONALD

What do you think?

ANNA

Of the footage?

DONALD

You’ve seen it before?

ANNA

Of course.

DONALD

Collateral Murder. July 12th 2007, the USA launches a series of airstrikes across Baghdad. April 5th 2010 footage is leaked showing a US crew firing on a group of civilians

ANNA

15 confirmed casualties, all civilians

DONALD

Two of whom were Reuters reporters.

ANNA

You can hear the gun crews laughing about it. Disgusting.

DONALD

And it was all brought to light by WikiLeaks. Well by Chelsea Manning, who leaked it to WikiLeaks so to speak. Caused quite a bit of trouble.

ANNA

Yes, I remember the outcry.

DONALD

Followed by the Afghanistan Leaks, in July.

ANNA

Yes, I remember.

DONALD

Damning documents released in everything from the Guardian to the New York Times.

ANNA

(Awkwardly)

Yes

DONALD

You’re probably wondering why I am telling you this

ANNA

A little, yes.

DONALD

The founder of Wikileaks wants to come to Sweden.

ANNA

What?

DONALD

Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks wants to come to Sweden.

ANNA

That’s amazing! (Awkward pause. DONALD stares at ANNA) What?

DONALD

Would you like to invite him and arrange a seminar?

ANNA

(Suddenly excited)

Seriously!

DONALD

Of course.

ANNA

Thank you! But seriously I know nothing about him!

DONALD

Doesn’t matter

ANNA

(Excitement increasing)

Are you sure? I mean I’d love to, but surely someone with more knowledge….

DONALD

You’re pro-liberty aren’t you?

ANNA

Yes, but….

DONALD

You’re a Social Democrat aren’t you?

ANNA

Yes, but…..

DONALD

Then I honestly can’t think of anyone better. You’ve all been quiet vocal in your feelings towards the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. And it’s no secret that you in particular have issues with authority

ANNA

Not all authority, just imperialism and wars of aggression!

DONALD

(Raising hands in mock surrender)

Sorry! But you can see my point.

ANNA considers.

ANNA

Won’t you need approval?

DONALD

From who?

ANNA

My superiors!

DONALD

They’ve already agreed.

ANNA

Just like that?!

DONALD

No, clearly there was more to it than that! Look, if you don’t want to do it that’s fine.

ANNA

I never said……

DONALD

I’m sure I can find someone else to arrange the seminar. Have a good day.

DONALD goes to walk away.

ANNA

The truth is the first casualty of war

DONALD

(Stopping)

What?

ANNA

It’s a good title. Ethel Annakin Snowden came up with it when she criticized the use of women’s rights to argue for war during World War one.

DONALD stares blankly at ANNA. Pause.

ANNA

(Contin’d)

It would make a good title for the seminar.

DONALD

You’ll do it?

ANNA

Yes, of course I’ll do it.

DONALD

Good! Better get started!

ANNA

What? Right now?

DONALD

No time like the present

DONALD grabs a chair and pushes it towards ANNA. She sits down and is spun to face the audience.

ANNA

What’s the rush?

DONALD

Time and resources are tight. Travel, accommodation, tickets, press release all need to be taken care of.

ANNA

Where to start?

DONALD

Doesn’t matter, so long as it gets done. Just try to manage expectations. Oh and word of advice, when it comes to the press release try and stick to the realms of truth.

The lights begin to focus in on ANNA, taking up the feel of a spotlight.

ANNA

(Addressing audience)

The truth is rarely simple. Sorry about that, I got a little over excited there. Easy to do when you’re given an opportunity that will change your life forever.

There is a flash of white light. We hear the click of many cameras. DONALD grabs a chair and sits next to ANNA. PETER, chairman of Democrats of Sweden, enters and pulls up a chair on the other side of ANNA. He is closely followed by VICTOR, president of the youth wing, and JOHANNES, the WikiLeaks’ contact. They take seats at the far right and left of the line up. From within the audience, REPORTERS stand up and begin to shoutout, trying to get the attention of the panel. PETER stands up.

PETER

If I could have a bit of order please.

ANNA

(Addressing the audience)

Peter, Chairman of the Democrats of Sweden

PETER

We can now confirm that we are in collaboration with Julian Assange on seminar, to be held here in Stockholm

ANNA

(Addressing the audience)

Cue gasps of surprise and fevered questioning

The REPORTERS in the audience become more frantic, desperately competing for attention.

PETER