The Soldiers' Tale

a Mystery Play for Holy Week by Mike Sparks

First performed by the Guild Players, Finchley Methodist Church, April 2006

Publisher

This play has been published by Lazy Bee Scripts

Visit their website to read it online, buy copies, and obtain a performance licence

Setting

A Barrack Room in the Roman garrison of Jerusalem. The room is furnished with some chairs, a table, a coat rack, a wine bottle, a jug of water and cups and some general soldiers equipment - coats, arms, hats etc.

List of Characters

Cleaner

Soldier 1

Soldier 2

Policeman

Woman (wife of Soldier 1)

Centurion

(Some of the parts can be doubled up if necessary)

Author's Note

This is the third in a series of short plays produced for performance as modern interpretations of medieval mystery plays.

The play is written so that the minimum of setting and costume is necessary. The setting is a barrack room with some basic furniture. Although full costume could be used, the play will not fail if the cast dress in modern clothes, or in simple dark basic costumes with coloured additions to define particular characters.

There is no rule as to what music is appropriate. This is up to the director, having regard to the setting within which the piece is being performed and the facilities, players and musicians available.

The director is completely free to make whatever alterations to the text they deem necessary to suit the setting in which it is being performed.