SEMESTER II
Unit IV (ONE- ACT PLAYS)
1.
THE DEATH TRAP - Saki
Introduction
Saki
is the pen name of H.H.Munro. He was born in Burma and began his career as a
journalist. He is considered to be the master of short stories. The Death Trap
is a one act play. The twists and turns make the play thrilling and the
suspense is maintained till the end.
Prince
Dimitri
Prince
Dimitri is crowned king at a very young age of fourteen. He is the last member
of his dynasty. He is a very brave boy. When some of his generals plot to
murder him he faces death courageously. When his doctor suggests that he can
drink poison and die instead of being murdered Prince Dimitri dismisses it as a
cowardly act. He is very fond of nature and sports and regrets that he has to
die young without enjoying both. Yet he accepts death calmly. Dimitri is also
very clever. At the end of the play he fools his enemies and kills them by
poisoning the wine.
The
Plot to Murder the Prince
The
Generals belonging to the Kranitzki Regiment plot to kill Prince Dimitri and
crown Prince Karl as the king. They take away all his weapons on some excuse so
that he cannot defend himself. They wait for his other two regiments which are
very loyal to leave. When Prince Dimitri is left unguarded they plan to murder
him. They wait outside his room.
The
Role of the Doctor
At
that moment the Prince’s faithful friend Dr. Stronetz arrives. The enemies take
away his revolver before allowing him to meet the Prince. The doctor is worried
that the Prince has to face cruel death at such a young age. He suggests that
the Prince could die peacefully by consuming poison. The Prince refuses. As
they are discussing the enemies rush in. immediately the doctor begins to
examine the Prince’s chest and body. He tells the conspirators that the Prince
is suffering from a serious disease and will live for only six more days. So
they leave without murdering him.
The
Prince’s Disappointment
The
Prince feels very happy that he has been saved. He praises the doctor for
saving him. But his happiness is short lived. The doctor confesses that he
spoke the truth and that he is really suffering from a fatal disease and will
not live for more than six days. The Prince is very disappointed. He asks the
doctor for the poison.
The
Prince Takes Revenge
Prince
Dimitri has a plan. He invites the generals to celebrate the success of the
future king, Prince Karl. He offers them wine mixed with poison. He too drinks
the poisoned wine. The conspirators pretend to be loyal and say they cannot
serve another king. Dimitri tells them that they will never serve anybody else
because they have been poisoned. Shortly they all fall down. Dimitri is amused
that they will keep him company in the other world.
Conclusion
Though
the play is a tragedy it has been made interesting and enjoyable by the talented
playwright.
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2.
THE DEAR DEPARTED - Stanley Houghton
Introduction
Stanley
Houghton was a famous English playwright. The central theme of his play The
Dear Departed is the problems faced by old people. They are neglected by their
children, who are more interested in their property than in their well being.
Abel
Merryweather
Abel
Merryweather is an old widower. He has two married daughters, Elizabeth and
Amelia. They consider it a burden to take care of their aged father. He stays
with them in turns. When the play opens he is with his younger daughter,
Amelia. Through a strange incident he comes to know the ungrateful nature of
his daughter. One morning he goes out to pay his insurance premium. After
returning home he goes to upstairs to sleep unconsciously in a drunken state.
When Amelia wakes him to have his dinner he does not get up. She thinks he is
dead. She informs her sister Elizabeth. Amelia does not bother to send for a
doctor. Instead she and her family start mourning and wear back clothes.
Abel
Merryweather’s two daughters
Amelia
is a greedy woman. She does not wish to share her father’s belongings with her
sister. With the help of her husband she brings the old man’s new cabinet down.
She also brings down his clock. She even asks her husband to wear her father’s
new slippers. Elizabeth is in no way different from Amelia. As soon as she
arrives she wants to know if her father had paid Insurance Premium. Otherwise
they would not be able claim the money.
Abel
Merryweather Comes Alive
As
the papers are in the cabinet, Amelia’s little girl Victoria is sent upstairs
to bring the keys. Victoria returns with the shocking news that the grandfather
is getting up from his deep sleep. Shortly the old man comes down. He is
surprised to see Elizabeth and her husband. He wants to know why they are
mourning. They try to give some explanation. He is shocked to see his cabinet
and clock. He is even more shocked to see Amelia’s husband wearing his
slippers. From their conversation he realizes that he was mistaken to be dead
and that his ungrateful daughters are fighting for his belongs instead of
mourning his death.
Merryweather’s
Marriage with an old widow
The
old man is pained at the behavior of his daughters. He wishes to teach them a
lesson. He tells them that he is marrying Mrs. Shorrocks who owns Ring O’Bells
and that all his property would be willed to her.
Conclusion
The
theme is serious one. It is about how parents are treated by their children in
their old age. Ungrateful children are more interested in their parents’
property than in their well being. The author conveys this serious message
through a light hearted comedy.
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3. THE SHERIFF'S KITCHEN - Ronald Gow
Introduction
Ronald Gow was an English dramatist,
chemist and a school teacher. He produced several educational silent films. He also wrote plays
for the BBC. This play deals with an interesting event when Robin Hood escapes
from the prison, putting the Sheriff himself into the cell.
The Cook's Argument with the Steward
The play opens with a conversation
between the cook and the steward of the Sheriff’s house. The cook complains that the Sheriff doesn’t come
to dinner at proper time. So he often fights with the steward. The steward convinced the cook that he had
the key for ale cellar. There might be some good ale. His words changed the
mind of the cook. Then they planned to have ale. And they became friends. A
messenger comes and gives the message that Robin Hood is caught.
Robinhood as an Outlaw
Robin Hood was a benevolent outlaw,
robbed the rich and gave liberally to the poor. The sheriff of Nottingham tried
many time to capture Robin Hood and his band of devoted followers, by means of
cleverly laid traps, but on every occasion, the outlaw was cleverer than the
sheriff. This time they captured the Robin Hood and the sheriff made severe
arrangements, double guards to the prison.
Little John and Friar Tuck
Little John and Friar Tuck secretly
entered into the castle of the Sheriff. When they entered the sheriff's
kitchen, Friar Tuck was unable to control himself. He wanted to eat a lot.
Little John convinced him that they have come to save the Robin Hood.
Little John Became the Sentry
When the sentry passed, Little John
stole sentry's steel cap, leather coat and halberd. He appeared as a sentry.
Then the steward entered and mumbled with his mouth full. John asked the
steward to have his dinner. Little John convinced him tactfully and he gave
delicious food items. He helped the steward to unfasten his belt. During that
time John removed the bunch of keys from the belt, went back to his place.
Conclusion
When the steward went to sleep, John
went to the prison and opened it. Then the sheriff came there and they put
sheriff into the prison. Thus Robin Hood had escaped from the prison.
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4. THE ANNIVERSARY - Anton Chekhov
Introduction
Anton Chekhov, a doctor by profession,
was a Russian short story writer and playwright. The Anniversary by Anton
Chekov is a hilarious play about a banker who is preparing to meet
some respected shareholders for the bank’s 15th anniversary
celebrations. The play revolves around four important characters - Mr Andrei
Shipuchin, Mr.Kirin, Mrs
Tatiana and Mrs
Merchutkina.
Relationship Between Kirin and
Shipuchin
Shipuchin was a chairman of a
cooperative bank and also he was a sentimental admirer of women. Kirin was the
bank's book-keeper. He was completely opposite to Shipuchin. He was preparing
the report for the fifteenth anniversary of the bank. He worked day and night
for the report. And he told the bank employees that the chairman was going to
reward for his pains. Shipuchin entered and thanked him. There was a friendly
relationship between them. Then he was getting ready to read the report. But he
talked about Kirin's wife and their family life. It irritated Kirin.
Tatiana's Trouble
Tatiana was a Shipuchin's wife and she
was a stupid chatterbox .When he started to read the report. his wife entered
and she talked only useless matter. She told about her mother, sister and her
journey. Shipuchin observed her words and he enjoyed. But it was an irritation
to Kirin. He lost his patience and he told that he wanted to leave.
Mrs. Merchutkina
In
the midst of all this, suddenly an old woman came inside the bank. She seemed
highly agitated and rushed to Mr. Shipuchin’s seat. Merchutkina wanted the bank
to pay her husband’s complete wage of twenty four roubles and thirty six
kopecks which she claimed had been wrongly deducted. However Mrs Merchutkina
husband never worked with the bank and the bank never had anything to do with
the payment of his wages.
Conclusion
Mr. Shipuchin gets angry and demands Mrs.Merchutkina to leave the bank immediately. But the
woman refuses and is persistent on her demands. Finally at the end of his wits
the accountant who has been silent victim all this while threatens to get her
thrown out of the bank if she did not leave by herself. Even this threat did
not deter her from demanding her husband’s rightful share of wages.
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