Bradley Walker

Hell Hath No Fury... - [Four Actors - Runtime ~ 40 mins]

 

 

This peice deals with Domestic abuse. It begins with Kelly calling the police claiming she has killed her boyfriend, Aaron. 

 

When Kelly is brought in for questioning with a therapist, the story of Kelly and Aaron's relationship unfolds. Kelly speaks about how she loved Aaron, how he was so sweet and gentle at first, but by the time the abusive signs started to show, it was too late - she was already trapped.

 

Throughout the narrative, the scenes flashback to memories of Kelly and Aaron spending time together, spanning from the day they met to the day he died.

 

Whilst speaking to Kelly, the therapist feels like she is reticent to an extent - that something isn't quite right, but doesn't mention it. 

 

The therapist starts setting little traps within her words to test Kelly. By the end of the play, the therapist has figured out that Kelly is not the victim she is making out to be, but rather an incredibly intelligent sociopath. 

 

The flashbacks are constantly revisited showing what really happened. They will be played the same, but when the rest of the flashback is revealed and the full context is given, you see that Kelly is manipulating, threatening and abusing Aaron, or even herself in order to scare him.

 

The therapist unravels Kelly's web of lies to her dismay and Kelly is arrested. She is pulled out screaming about how she had the right to do it because he was intellectually inferior.

 

 

This was originally written for screen, but can work really well as a piece of theatre (preferably physical), considering the possibility that almost instant scene changes can be executed interestingly.

I sent this to Simon Harper, a series producer at BBC which led to us having a meeting. Since then, Simon has helped me with my work and has been an absolutely wonderful contact in the short time I've known him.

 

If you wish to use this piece for stage or screen, let me know and I will edit accordingly.

 

- Characters:

 

Kelly -  Attractive, soft-spoken, clearly intelligent and likeable. Kelly is made out to be the victim in the piece until the plot develops to show she has engineered the relationship to look as if Aaron was abusive to her. She knows how to manipulate people but grows desperate when backed in to a corner. To be played genuinely, but think of the emotions as artificially generated.

 

Therapist - Empathic, gentle, inquisitive. She has a great way of connecting with people on an emotional level. Throughout the piece, she realises that Kelly is emulating emotions rather than displaying genuine ones. She figures out there is more to Kelly than she is showing. To be played subtly.

 

Aaron - Handsome young man, physically fit, sweet personality. Aaron does not look as if he can be overpowered easily. It is clear he loves Kelly and genuinely hurt when she has her episodes. He is trapped in a relationship he wants, but resents.

 

David - Aaron’s friend. Boisterous and loud, but friendly. Only in two of the flashbacks, but serves as an important tool for Kelly and her level of manipulation. On screen, other friends will be needed but on stage, David alone will be fine.