Echoes of War Synopsis
There exists a natural balance between RESPECT for the old and CARE for the young. Those who are old bring experience while those who are young bring enthusiasm and creative innovation. This is the relationship that weaves together our ever evolving society.
This play is a hyperbole attempt to illustrate the widening gap between two generations; the old and the young. The artistic context is set in the Royal Velvet Emirates, a fictitious kingdom in the Middle East. In this Kingdom, the old have quickly lost trust of the younger generation. The young are agitated by the inflexible strictness of the old.
The balance is an inevitable compromise.
Character Biography
SULTAN
A tall energetic man in his prime time. He oozes all qualities of power and affluence. His gesticulation and elaborate movements paint him as an authoritative man in full control.
MAMA ANIFA
A woman steeped into religion. She demonstrates qualities of an over – protective mother saddened by the pain of her daughter’s mistake.
POLICE
The father to Anifa Imana. An overzealous security officer. He finds himself subconsciously conflicted between traditional attributes of a child and the realities of a new generational daughter.
MUSTAFA
The embodiment of a new generational innovator. He finds himself on the wrong side of the law and has to fight the stain of a revolutionary.
ANIFA IMANA
The personification of Artificial Intelligence. She has all the attributes of quantum computing and synthesized storage. She represents the future; a collaboration between nature and software.
IMAM
A representative of the cultural background in which strict Islamic rules are followed and executed.
TEMPO
Moderately fast
ILLUMINATION
Bright then dim
MooD
Predominantly that of uncertainty
Setting of Echoes of War by Cleophas Malala
Royal Palace of Arabic architecture with Walls of Gold and Stone; The palace rises from the desert sands, its walls a symphony of honey-colored stone and shimmering gold leaf. Intricate geometric patterns and flowing calligraphy adorn the facades, whispering tales of ancient dynasties. Precious stones, lead into sprawling courtyards. Inside the palace, richly woven carpets, silk tapestries, and glittering chandeliers. Walls are covered in intricate mosaics and hand-painted frescoes, depicting scenes of royal processions, epic battles, and mythical creatures.
MISE EN SCENE
rostrums to, mark focal points. Acting space is determined by the scenic design available.
EXEGESIS
The police station stands as a symbol of both order and fragility in the midst of chaos. Its once-imposing facade is now scarred with bullet holes and graffiti, a testament to the violence that has engulfed the city. The windows, shattered and boarded up, offer glimpses of a ransacked interior, where desks lie overturned and files are scattered across the floor. A faint smell of dust and decay hangs in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of smoke.
Inside the police station, the atmosphere is tense and oppressive. Armed officers, their faces etched with weariness and suspicion, patrol the corridors, their eyes scanning the crowd of people seeking help or justice. The station’s cells, once meant to hold criminals, now house refugees and displaced families, their desperation palpable. The station’s function has shifted in this war-torn landscape. It’s no longer just a place to report crimes, but a refuge for the vulnerable and a symbol of what little authority remains. The officers, stretched thin and under-resourced, struggle to maintain order amidst the chaos, their efforts a beacon of hope in a sea of despair. Inside a police station cell. There is evidence of tight security. The Police Officer in charge of the station is taking the suspect’s testimony. There are vocal chants outside the police cells.
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