Working Legs
A Two-Act Play for People Without Them

 
 

HISTORY

 

1996: Play commissioned by Birds of Paradise, a charity Theatre Company for disabled performers.

1997: Published as a play by Dog and Bone Press, Glasgow.

1997-8: Taken on tour through Scotland by Dog and Bone Theatre Company

 

CAST

Unless stated otherwise below all actors perform in wheelchairs.
Where sex not given, actors can be either:

ABLE MCMANN, a young man with working legs but usually in wheelchair
BARTENDER Scenes 1, 9.
THRUST, a business person Scenes 1, 9.
BLAND, a big businessman Scenes 1, 7, 9.
COY, a seductive woman Scenes 1, 9.
SUAVE, a seductive man Scenes 1, 9.
SOCIAL WORKER, blind Scenes 1, 5, 9.
MANAGER, a business person Scenes 1, 5, 12.
BETTY MACRAE, our heroine Scenes 3, 4, 6, 12.
UNDERMANAGER )
WAITRESS )
BETH )Scene 3 – all but waitress wear
LIZ )party paper hats. Alex wears a
ALEX ) flamboyant waistcoat. Liz and
SANDY ) Lex are not essential.
LEX )
MRS. MACRAE, Betty’s mother Scenes 4, 6, 12
MR. MACRAE, Betty’s father Scenes 4, 6, 12.
PRIME MINISTER, blind Scene 5.
MEG, a conscientious office worker Scene 6.
FOUR DEAF MUTES consisting a Scene 8 benefit tribunal, and APPLICANT
with working legs and one line
MISS SHY, who has working legs Scenes 9, 10, 12.
FOUR POLICEMEN: no lines Scene 9 .
EDITOR Scenes 10, 12
REPORTER, SUB-EDITOR Scene 10

NURSE

)

SISTER

)

SURGEON

)

Scene 11

ANAESTHETIST

)

HOUSE-OFFICER

)

ADMINISTRATOR

)

POLITICIAN and JUDGE Alternative Scene 11

SCENES

As in Shakespeare’s theatre scenes can be set by properties.
These, except 9 essential wheelchairs, are listed below.

ACT ONE: BACK TO NORMAL

1 – Lounge Bar – Gantry with glasses, bottles, telephone. A folding stool.
2 – Manager’s Office – Desk, low door, folding stool, extra wheelchair for Able.
3 – Office Party – Balloons, streamers, party hats. Music, off.
4 – Macrae Living Room - Standard lamp, hearthrug, low sideboard.
5 – Several Places – Drip-feed, manager’s desk.
6 – Macrae Living Room - As before.

ACT TWO: ROAD TO RUIN

7 – Supply Office – Two desks, two word processors and phone
8 – Benefit Tribunal – Platform, table, 4 chairs, pushbell, voicebox, white mat.
9 – Lounge Bar – As Scene 1, with ropes, handcuffs, truncheons.
10 – Newspaper Office – Long table, two word processors, three phones.
11 – Shadow Play – Table, anaesthetic machine, surgical tools, tray of drinks.
12 – Hospital Ward – Hospital bed, drip-feed, spectacular new wheelchair.
Alternative Scene 11 with two brandy glasses.

 
 

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