“You Were There”

By Mark Shell

Summary

This is a pantomimed drama, with symbolic meaning.  Its purpose is to promote the healthy spiritual habit of worship.  A serious attitude should be taken by all actors when doing this pantomime.

Characters

David
God
Abraham
Jesus
Crowd (3 or more people)
 

Special Materials

CD Album:  Avalon: The Creed (Track 5) (This Album is marketed in the USA, and may not be available in all countries.) Note: (To make things a little easier, I have added in queue times according to the track, and if possible the lines in the verse)

Costumes

Costumes aren’t really needed for this pantomime, but I do feel that God is best dressed in a symbolic white robe.
 

Script

(Before the music stars, a voice over is heard- “Be still, and know that I am God.”)

(00:17) David enters and stops stage right.  He is scared, and doubting the task that God has asked him to do (ie, slay Goliath).  He looks worried, pacing around and at the point of abandoning all hope, as he doubts this task.

(00:48- “when David stood to face Goliath on a hill”) God enters to see David doubting the task assigned to him, God slowly and calmly walks up behind him and at (00:58- “Until you took his hand”) places a comforting hand on David’s shoulder.  At this, David  becomes calm, and realizes that he can do the task that God has demanded him to do.  David places his hand on the shoulder God rests his hand on and looks up toward the sky. (1:36- “You were always there”)- God gives David a small nudge and David exits stage left, while God crosses upstage right.

(1:45) Abraham enters, stage left with a look of regret on his face.  He is also questioning the task that God has asked him to do (ie, slay his son, Isaac.)  Abraham gets down on his knees and pantomimes tying his son up. (2:09- God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans)  Abrahams draws back his pantomimed knife to slay his son, but God catches his wrist.  Abraham drops the knife, and God places a comforting hand on Abraham's shoulder.  Abraham goes into a calm, peaceful mood, thankful for the fact that he does not have to slay his son.  He looks to the sky and mouths the words “thank you.”  (2:50- “You were always there)  Abraham exits stage right, God follows to cross to upstage right again.

(2:50- “You were always there) Jesus enters carrying a pantomimed cross; a small crowd follows, whipping him, beating him, and throwing things at him.  He makes his way up to center stage, where the crowd continues to beat and whip him. (3:15- “You are God…) People nail Jesus to the cross, as he reacts in pain. (3:19- We would not have understood you) The crowd clears the stage leaving nothing but a crucified Jesus, and God, who is looking on with regret.  (3:24- “There you were”) Jesus hangs there; he has the look of despair of the entire world’s sin on his shoulders.  He looks out at the audience with a pitiful look on his face as his eyes seem to beg for mercy.) (3:52 “With your last breath) Jesus collapses in death on the cross.

(3:55- You were there)- David crosses from stage left to stage right.

(4:02- You were there)- Abraham crosses from stage right to stage left.

(4:13- …the power in David’s swing)- David steps forth, as if giving Goliath the death blow with his sling.

(4:18- …the calm in Abraham)- Abraham steps forth, silently praising God for the deed he does not have to do.

(4:22- The God who understands) Jesus slowly comes back to life, by moving his hands and fingers, and finally lifts his head.

(4:25-…The strength… ) Jesus steps off the cross and walks toward the audience with his arms wide open, welcoming them into his presence.

(4:38- “the risen, Lamb of God)- At this, Abraham and David drop to their knees, presenting the risen Christ to the audience.  Every one on stage freezes when “Lamb of God” is spoken.

(5:08- You were, you are)- At this, the music quickly fades to nothing and a voice over is heard, “Behold, I am with you always, even unto the ends of the Earth.”  Actors slowly and quietly leave the stage.
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Copyright Mark Shell, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed without royalty payment, provided no charge is made to the performance. In return, the author would like to be told of any performance. He may be contacted at imachevroletdude@hotmail.com