The Blackest of Rooms: Act I

The Blackest of Rooms by Ursula Seleivara

Characters and the Cast that played the roles

Darak the handsome prince of light and goodness Mr Aneirin Menelaos

Ashra the dark tormented girl Mrs Nawen Beign

Appalea the beautiful woman-promised to marry Darak Miss Frannie Mouze

Ixtlan the dark creature/devil who helps Ashra Mrs Rali'vinee

Wendoyln Ashra's friend and confidante Mrs Thienna Skybreaker

Guhner Darak's right hand man-a priest Mr Archibald Thel

Narrator Sets the scene, announcements Miss Glorandrea Aersinith

Act I

Scene One: Forest</c> (near a castle), past. ((Forest stage dressing))

Narrator: Two young friends chase each other through the woods outside of a castle, the girl is obviously faster than the boy.

Darak - Ashra, wait up! You are too fast!

Ashra - No, you are too slow Darak!

(Ashra lets him catch her)

~they stop center stage~

Darak - There, why do you run from me, Ash. I only wanted to talk to you. You always run when I...

Ashra - (interrupting) I run because you are always talking. I run because no matter what you say, the world is the way it is, Darak.

Darak - It doesn't have to be Ash. We can promise. I can promise. You know I would never break a promise. (Darak hands her a locket bearing his family crest on one side and goodly god on the other)

Ashra - I know you wouldn't but it is not your promise to give. You know that. Your father would...

Darak - (interrupting) I am not my father. I will make my promise. He will have to accept it. I promise, Ash. I swear (he grabs her hands closing it around the locket) I will always be yours.

Ashra I wish I believed you, Darak. I really do but...

Narrator: * Booming voice echoes through the forest, coming from the castle walls *

Darak! Prince Darak, you must come at once!

Darak turns to listen to the call from the castle, dropping Ashra's hands and she runs off before he can turn back around. Darak looks into the woods before walking back to the castle (offscreen) and the scene goes dark.

((stage lights off, setting stays forest))

Scene Two: Castle, present. ((same stage setting)) ((Stage lights up))

Narrator - Years later, in the same forest, two woman walk from the woods to the castle carrying a basket of flowers. They are met by a dashing man walking up from the castle.

• Wen and Ash come walking in the from the side and Guhner from the other, no horse.*

Guhner - Hello ladies. Wendolyn, you are looking as lovely as ever. Ash, you are...

Ashra - (interrupting) Shut up, Guhner.

Wendolyn - (laughing) Ash, be nice. Thank you, Guhner. Are we still on for this evening's winter ball?

Guhner - Of course, Lady Wendolyn. I have been looking forward to it all week. Ash, are you coming tonight? I know Darak was hoping that...

Ashra - (interrupting quickly) I will be there.

Wendolyn -Maybe you could escort us both to the dance, Guhner? I do not want her to go alone.

Guhner - (before Ash can interrupt) Of course, m'lady. I would never refuse you. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I have business to attend to.

~he walks off to the castle, offstage~

Ashra - That wasn't necessary, Wen. I am fine on my own. And Darak will be there so I will hardly be alone.

Wendolyn - I know, but you know there will be...(pauses briefly) there will be others there as well. Right?

Ashra - I know Wen. I always know. But they don't matter to him. They are his father's doing. It will be like always, a parade of foolish girls and then he and I can dance the night away.

Wendolyn - I hope you are right, Ash. It's just... I worry about you. I mean you are so sullen all the time. What if tonight he...

Ashra - (interrupting) What if tonight he what? It is fine. And I am not sullen. I am just not you. ~she storms offstage~

Wendolyn - (softly) I hope you are right, my friend.

((stage lights off, curtain down))