Alien Nation
By Max Hafler
Age range
16 +
Cast size
10 – 15, 15 +
Approx. running time
30 – 60 mins
Gender breakdown
Males: 6/7 Females: 2/3 Also: At least 5 more people to work in chorus and play small parts. One old character Grandad can be changed to Grandma if it served your group.
Setting
A city in the west.
Note
A play about racism for a medium sized group.
Published in Playshare – Volume 1 (NAYD, 2005).
Published in Playshare – Volume 1 (NAYD, 2005).
First performance
Galway Youth Theatre, 2002.
Synopsis
Fergus and Conor's friendship is tested when Ferg decides that he is going to have a Romanian refugee beaten up, who he thinks is going out with his older sister. Issue-based without being preachy, the play tackles issues of racism and cultural identity head-on. The play is fast moving with a lot of rhythm, chorus, singing and movement work, intermeshed with short naturalistic scenes. It needs strong playing, and a few good singers in the group would be helpful.