The Hanged Man
For this play, there is no stage. Or at least, none in its conventional sense. When the audience is led in, they shoud be seated in a jumbled-up pattern. Not even in a round, not in a proscenium – but in a tassled-off position. Think of how the knight in chess moves and arrange it like that but weirder. There should not be a majority of chairs facing in one direction, divert everything, pile things on top of one another. The job of the usher is to lead the audience members just in – where they would sit (or even if they would sit – or even if they would stay) is totally up to them.
No chimes, no anthem, no house lights fading or music fading. None of that. The play starts when the play starts. Various “actors” come in, some clad in skintone leotards, some in mime make-up, some in drag, some in street clothes, perhaps someone nude. It is imperative the following characters be included: (1) a callboy, (2) a futuristic priest, (3) a female stripper, (4) Helen of Troy, (5) a little boy in gold spandex. The addition of supplementary characters is highly encouraged.
The “actors” would sit down at any available chairs, assuming there are still available chairs. If not, they can sit wherever the hell they want. During the duration of this play, they would just stare at the audience members. If anyone engages them in conversation, they must respond with “Baba Nam Kevalam.” Only that and nothing else. They may take bathroom breaks if they want, if they get hungry, they may eat but only dried grass.
It is up to the director or whoever has the biggest ego in the production when/how to end this thing.
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CARD DRAWN:
XII – THE HANGED MAN
THIS IS THE TAROT CHALLENGE, a 78-day writing challenge where everyday I pick out a random card from my tarot deck and write something about, against, inspired by, based on the card by the day’s end. The works can range from poetry to fiction to drama. When the card is from the major arcana, the title of the work should be the card name. When the card is from the minor arcana, the title can be different but the card drawn should be revealed at the end.
