Hobson is a 'parent of the period'. What changes would you make to the play to set it in modern times? What decisions would you make about its presentation? Choose a short section of the play and rewrite it in a modern context
Hobson is a 'parent of the period'. What changes would you make to the play to set it in modern times? What decisions would you make about its presentation? Choose a short section of the play and rewrite it in a modern context. Remember to include stage setting and costume advice.
A modern day Muslim Indian family living in India, Tamil Nadu, Madurai. The scene is set in a modern day living and dining room. There is a grand door on the bottom left hand side. Next to it is a passageway. There is a small coffee table in the middle of the stage with two settees, one to the right and the other facing the audience. Behind it are two windows, which are open. Occasional sounds of cars passing are heard as well as bird chirps. There are a few ornaments on the coffee table. On the floor, to the left of the coffee table there is a magazine rack with assorted magazines and newspapers in it. In the front right hand corner there is a wooden dining table with 6 chairs around it, three on one side, facing the audience and 1 on each end. On the table there is a place setting for one. There is a plate, a glass to the right and a teacup and saucer. There is a bowl with a spoon in it, to the left of the plate and there is a hotpot directly in front of the plate. There is a newspaper on top of the plate. There is a door leading to the right wing. In the top right hand corner there is table with a computer and printer on it. The table is facing the audience but is at an angle.
Zubeda, 18, is sitting on the settee facing the audience, with her feet up on the table reading an English magazine. Next to her feet on the table is a stack of magazines. Shenaz, 16, is sitting behind the computer, typing. They are both wearing loose fitted western clothes.
Shama, 20, enters through the passageway on the left. She is wearing a long "Shalwar Kahmeez".
Zubeda: Asalamualaycum. Pap- (looks up) Oh! Shama it is you. I was hoping it was dad leaving.
Shama: (as she walks across the front of stage and sits on the settee facing the passageway) Na. It's me.
Zubeda: (still reading) Why is he coming so late?
Shama: (she brushes her hair and begins to plait it.) He woke up late.
Shenaz: (looks up at Shama) Has papa eaten the Idlys I prepared?
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Shama, 20, enters through the passageway on the left. She is wearing a long "Shalwar Kahmeez".
Zubeda: Asalamualaycum. Pap- (looks up) Oh! Shama it is you. I was hoping it was dad leaving.
Shama: (as she walks across the front of stage and sits on the settee facing the passageway) Na. It's me.
Zubeda: (still reading) Why is he coming so late?
Shama: (she brushes her hair and begins to plait it.) He woke up late.
Shenaz: (looks up at Shama) Has papa eaten the Idlys I prepared?
Shama: Idlys? Shenaz - papa came in late last night. He has only woken up know. (Gets up and walks toward the dining table)
Shenaz: But he must eat. Today my Idlys are really fresh and tasty.
Zubeda: (Puts her feet on the floor. Looks at her watch and sits up straight. Generally acting nervous and fidgety.) Why? Where is papa? He really must come more quickly.
(Shama stops dead. Turns and looks at Zubeda. Is about to say something)
Zubeda: It's nearly time and he's-
Shenaz: (fed up, angry) and my idlys will become dry -then it becomes my fault! (Scrapes the chair back loudly and stands up) Then he says I can't cook. (Throws her hands up questioningly) What will happen to me? He goes to the shop and says he want breakfast. The boys ask him why? He says Shenaz can't cook, and then he expects proposals for me? My own papa sabotaging my chances of getting married.
Shama: (shocked) Shenaz! You must never talk badly about your papa. To get proposals you must behave. It's not only what people say. No one wants a daughter-in-law who talks badly about people!
(Shama walks to the dining table and picks up the newspaper)
Shenaz: (as though she's realized her mistake) Acha, (annoyed) but papa always complains about my idlys and my dosas. He says that they are always cold. He makes me cook. Hussain Bhai is here to cook. But no! Shenaz has to learn to cook.
Shama: (sarcastically, walks back to the settee) So Shena, this is why we have been blessed with a microwave.
(Shama looks around; satisfied that everyone's stopped and is about to sit down)
Zubeda: (muttering to herself but in the silence Shama hears her) Papa! Come quickly. It's getting very late.
Shama: (stands up again) Zubu! What is wrong with you? Are you waiting for papa to go? Why- you are no better than Shenaz. Both of you have no respect for your father.
Zubeda: Acha, Shamapa (Old fashioned ding dong of the doorbell is heard) I am waiting for papa to leave. I want to go out.
(Shama walks over to the door, and opens it. Tasneem, 18, enters. She is wearing a short top shalwar kahmeez. )
Tasneem: (cheerfully) Salams everyone!
Zubeda: (shocked, stands up suddenly, shouting) Tasneem!!!! What are you doing here? You know your not supposed to be here! Papa might see you!
Tasneem: (very calmly) Zubeda, you were getting late. I had to come and see.
Shama: Tasneem you're forgetting, papa hears the bell, and he'll be down in a flash.
(Footsteps coming from the left can be heard.)
Shama: Go quick! Into the kitchen. Leave when he's not looking.
(Running exit- Tasneem, stage left, Enter Hamid from back left corner. Hamid has a pot belly and is wearing a shirt and trousers. He is 44, successful, irritable and simple. )
Hamid: What was that noise? I heard the bell. Who was it?
Shama: It was just Kali. She had gone outside to get something. She's in the kitchen getting ready to cut up the vegetables.
Hamid: (annoyed) Where is she? It's ok that's she's deaf but that doesn't give her reason to disturb the whole household. Kali!!
Shama: Papa, don't act silly, you know she won't hear you!
Hamid: Humph! Ok then I'll be going to work now.
Shenaz: What about breakfast papa? I prepared food especially for you.
Hamid: I'm not hungry; I'll eat at the shop.
Shenaz: (surprised, loud) Papa!! How can you do that? I prepared fresh idlys especially for you! You have to eat!
Hamid: (irritated) Fine, fine, what is it with this household, when I want to eat I can't and when I don't want to, they make me!
(Hamid sits down at the table. Helps himself to the sambar, from the bowl and two idly's, from the hotpot. He picks up one using his fingers, and dips it into the sambar. Takes a bite.)
Hamid: (stands up) Shenaz!! This food is all cold. The idlys are raw. Child! Don't you know how to cook? I'm not going to eat it! I am sick and tired of having to eat raw food and then feeling sick!
(Hamid storms of towards to door, opens the door but just as he's about to step out)
Shama: (calmly) Papa, please come back home at three, we are all going to be out. There has to be someone at home.
Hamid: Where on earth are you going out? I hope, not to that blasted café Abyes?
Shama: (annoyed but calm, sarcastic tone) Actually papa, I am going to Abyes with Vashni and Cachin.
Hamid: Then Shenaz and Zubeda can stay at home.
Shenaz: Na!! I'm going out too. You are not going to make me stay at home. I stayed home last weekend!
Zubeda: (shouting) I'm sorry papa. You can't do this to us any longer. You just make us stay at home, the only thing you let us do is go to school and come back. The last time I went out with your permission was last month!
(Shama walks over to the window.)
Shenaz: (irritated) Exactly! We are all going to stand up to you! You are going to have to be back at three; otherwise we are all just going to leave.
Hamid: How are you girls going to get good husbands? You have to obey what they say. He says sit, you sit, He says jump off a building you jump!
Zubeda: Yes! That's our husband's, not out fathers. Fathers are supposed to give girls their freedom. And also fathers are supposed to act maturely. I hate this stupid family feud with Tasneem's family. After all the things you tell us about not fighting! And all this nonse- (Hamid cuts her off as he turns to the window. Silence for a few seconds and then Zubeda carries on.)
Hamid: Mumtaz looks like she's coming this way. (Spins round, and yells out loudly) Stop shouting. Mumtaz is coming. She can't see you being disrespectful to me!
(Zubeda stops shouting)
Shenaz: (annoyed) Fine papa! Do that! Just cover up our faults an-
(Doorbell rings)
Hamid: (very smarmy, as he heads towards the door to open it, looks at the three girls) Gee, Gee, beti. You all go out and have fun. I'll come home at three.
Amirah Kassim
