REVIEW:
“Sheri Graubert’s Gerry, set during World War I, is about a British soldier who has inadvertently captured a German. It examines the cockeyed ways that war turns concepts like “good” and “noble” on their heads. Gerry, in particular, is involving and thought-provoking, and features excellent direction by the author and fine performances by Daniel Smith as the “prisoner,” Sam Underwood as his reluctant captor, and Michael Gnat as the British Sergeant.” Martin Denton, NYTheatre.com, April 2008
SYNOPSIS:
Mackey, a young World War One war poet, desperate to write the ultimate poem so the world never goes to war again, has writer’s block. He becomes separated from his battalion in a mustard gas attack and unwittingly captures a German soldier who becomes his muse.
CHARACTERS:
Mackey: (M,early 20s) English
Gerhardt: (M,early 20s) Speaks German
Sarg: (M,30s)
SETTING:
France. 1917. Battlefield near Flanders after a mustard gas attack. Suggested with lights and upturned chairs.
RUNNING TIME:
15 mins
HISTORY:
The Drilling Company – Hero Season
SAMPLE DIALOGUE:
GERHARDT: Ein Zigarette, bitte.
Mackey gives him his smoked cigarette.
MACKEY: That’s all. I got two left after this.
GERHARDT: Zwei?
MACKEY: Two. One, two.
GERHARDT: Zwei, ja. (indicates cigarette) Danke.
MACKEY: Zwei cigarettes. Wait, that’s it!
(He writes) Zwei Zigaretten.
His need as strong as mine, to smoke, to
kill– new line – Smug-faced. Italics. Blood
soaked, no, blood-bathed. Got it! Got
it! Bloody brilliant. I’m a bloody genius. Bet you didn’t know you
were the prisoner of a trench poet. Willie, Brookie, Siegfried and me.
GERHARDT: (not understanding) Siegfried? Ist er Deutsch?
Photos: Fred Marco
Sam Underwood
Dan Smith
