Short Play – Arthur Hofn

In full on The Writers Club

I love listening to Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics on BBC Radio 4. In the episode on Euripides she retells the play Medea and is amazing. Inspired by how miserable it is I decided to see if I could have a go at a short play based on Greek theatre. The Tragedy Of Queen Alexia is the result.

A woman late thirties (ALEXIA) is sitting on the ground centre stage. She has been traveling in difficult conditions for a long while and you can tell by the state of her practical but good quality clothes. She is staring into the distance. Behind her is a white screen.

Masked women (CHORUS) enter from behind the screen, briefly look at ALEXIA then stand beside her and turn to the audience.

CHORUS

The Kingdom is in ruins
It is so nearly rent
A war has broken out
Which the King could not prevent

His family were taken
A wife and his two sons
Only little children
And the woman he so loves

Somehow she escaped their hold
She knows she must return
To a King so enraged
He would let the whole world burn

The CHORUS takes a step back to the right of the screen and sit on a bench. A noise from the right. ALEXIA turns to look offstage to see who is coming.

ALEXIA: Who is that?

A woman late thirties (IRINA) enters from the left. She shows the signs of hardship, her clothes are not the quality of ALEXIA’s. She looks down to ALEXIA putting a cup down next to her.

IRINA: It is a little water, it was all we could spare.

ALEXIA: Where are my children?

IRINA : You will get your answers but first be assured that you are safe here. We are supporters of the King and your face is not one we would take in error Queen Alexia.

ALEXIA: (Relieved) You have my thanks in giving me your hospitality. But please where are my sons Rico and Dya? They are so young…

ALEXIA stands and IRINA follows.

IRINA: They are being looked after. Become calm.

ALEXIA : Who are you?

IRINA: My name is Irina. I no longer know who I am…

ALEXIA: Your answers are not reassuring me. How long have I been here?

IRINA: You have been here for only one day. Our spies found you on the edge of the forest, looking all but dead. You must have all been exhausted beyond your limits. It was a large risk.

ALEXIA: We had to travel at night. We are free now but I know the price on our head and the danger as it will not now be paid.

IRINA: I meant it was a risk for us. This village has been under siege for two years, from just after the war began. We took in your cousins for refuge and the enemy surrounded us. They would have been taken and executed. Our loyalty has cost us.

ALEXIA: When this is over you will be much repaid. My family are still here?

IRINA: We dug a tunnel under the barricade and they fled to other parts three months ago. It was only just in time. Soon after the soldiers made camp at the mouth of the passage, they do not know it is there. If they found it they would come and realise their prize was gone. We would then all be slain.

ALEXIA: Your noble sacrifices…

IRINA: Are more than you could ever comprehend in a nightmare.

Read the full play here at The Writers Club