|
|
 |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "FREE FOR ALL." |  |
Two scenes from a play to mark the Bicentenery of the end of the slave trade in 1807.
Scene 3 Olaudah’s experience of the Trading (Old Susannah ) and King Tom and the Captain. Susannah on Veranda
Captain down stage right
King Tom Down stage left.
Young Susannah stands in front of Old Susannah
(During this scene the children on stage stand and walk as if sold as slaves.)
Old Susannah appears and sits down to read.
Old Susannah: (reading Olaudah Equiano): We were not many days in the merchant's custody before we were sold after their usual manner, which is this: - On a signal given, (as the beat of a drum) the buyers rush at once into the yard where the slaves are confined, and make a choice of that parcel they like best.
King Tom; Ahh Captain England. I trust you are satisfied with the merchandise?
Captain: As always your excellence and I see the silks fit you well and I hope the muskets are to your liking.
(A noise from the bushes)
What was that?
Captain: I hear something over there? It’s a child!
King Tom: Ohh come here child!
(Susannah creeps up slowly)
King Tom: Ahh ha I think it is one of my daughters?
Come girl, where is your mother now!
(Susannah): I do not know sir. I think the white man has killed her!
King Tom: Whaat!
Old Susannah: The noise and clamour with which this is attended, and the eagerness visible in the countenances of the buyers, serve not a little to increase the apprehension of the terrified Africans, who may well be supposed to consider them as the ministers of that destruction to which they think themselves devoted.
In this manner, without scruple, are relations and friends separated, most of them never to see each other again.
Captain: Now let us not be hasty, we have been very careful not to take any Temne women, unless of course permitted and who does killing profit?
(Chief is appeased for now)
Captain: Come here child, what is your name?
Susannah: Susannah.
Captain: Come closer. I don’t want to hurt you.
King Tom: See what fine daughters I have
(Captain examines her)
Captain: I see your highness; those of your own people are well kept. It seems you keep those in best condition for yourself?
King Tom: She is my daughter now! And a child. What father do you know does not look after his own child.
Captain: Yes quite. I shall take her. She has a nice smile and may prove useful. A little Princess to show off to the ladies in London. I’m sure I’ll get a good price.
King Tom: She is not for sale!
Captain: Good as I don’t intend to buy her, no! You shall give her to me. A gift.
King Tom: No!
Old Susannah: I remember in the vessel in which I was brought over, in the men's apartment, there were several brothers, who, in the sale, were sold in different lots; and it was very moving on this occasion to see and hear their cries at parting. O, ye nominal Christians! Might not an African ask you, taught you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you?
Captain: No? Oh dear what a pity your majesty. I am sorry you feel that way. You do know that the Bullam across the bay, the Mende, Fula and Sherbro are offering a very fair exchange for our muskets. I would find it very hard to forgive myself if you were to fall foul to slavers yourself. I am sure you people would fetch a very good price. Catch my drift? (Fast and aggressive)
King Tom: Wait! Can you guarantee my child will not be sent to the plantations?
Captain: You have my word as an Englishman.
King Tom: And she will be given introductions to Lords and Ladies in England
Captain: Naturellement! (Said slowly as a mark of culture)
King Tom: Very well child go!
Susannah:) Mastam oh! Please my Father No!
Captain: Come this way child. You belong to me now! (Captain leads Susannah off.)
Old Susannah: Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends, to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Why are parents to lose their children, brothers their sisters, or husbands their wives? Surely this is a new refinement in cruelty, which, while it has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors even to the wretchedness of slavery.
Scene 5– Captain sends Susannah ashore on an errand.
Spirit : Slaves have been sold, for pirates gold
And onward to England they set their course
But more cargo they’ll hand from America’s land
And if some crew will die there’ll be no remorse.
It’ll save them a wage though the seas they will rage
And the ship will be tossed as starvation nears grim.
Though the captain’s fair prize, shall safely arrive,
But if she’s hoping for freedom, her chances are slim
Exit – Sea Music
Boson has stooge with him who he can bring in ad lib
Captain: Prepare to weigh anchor. Ah the Thames estuary, I can smell the fish and chips!
Prepare the party to go ashore!
Ahh Miss Susannah, an English Lady already, you shall prove very useful indeed.
Right Boson you know what is to be done?
Boson: Lady Middleton Rochester. You are rescuing African children from the plantations to become English ladies. You are a philanderer! No! A Philan
Captain: Philanthropist!
Boson: Yes! One of those. And you wondered if you could be given an introduction to Captain Charles Middleton, as he is a man with connections.
Captain: No! You don’t need to say the end bit.
Boson: What not Captain Charles Middleton.
Captain: No! Not a man of connections!
Boson: He’s not, but you said he was.
Captain: He is but you don’t say it. Oh never mind.
Now she will of course be charmed by the sight of Miss Susannah, but on no account are you to give her over. She must return to the ship. That way we have more leverage so to speak.
Boson: Leverage.
Captain: Yes . Leverage.
Boson: (Laughing) Say no more. Oh very clever Ha Ha ha…..
Captain: Oh be quiet!
And remember child don’t get no ideas about running away. Be certain. I have eyes everywhere! And I will catch you and you will be seasoned and then sent to the plantations.
(Susannah walks downstage)
Spirit: 1772 slaves in England freed
Indeed Lord Justice Mansfield Decreed
But Susannah take heed.
10 years old, exposed to the cold, In a land where the poor have no rights to be bold
If caught stealing bread, to tyburn your led and by sunrise you’ll swing from the gallows …De.
Ify Interupts
Ify Be Quite! Greedy Imbe. (Goes and chases that tortoise ! Kicks him up bum.) Look at me child. You are only a slave to what you fear. Do you understand?
You are a Princess,. Your Grandfather was a proud Chief. Don’t forget Susannah.
Run Susannah Run! Drums (LIVE)
Run Susannah Run!
Run – To London Town!
Imbe enters cautiously
Spirit.
London City 1785 and as many as 10 000 black people. Men Women and Children had chosen London rather then Nova Scotia to live as their reward for fighting against their American masters in the War of Independence, but often in squalor they felt cheated, by the very country that had offered them freedom.
Ify enters with a broom and Imbe scurries off
Some people warming themselves by a fire.
|
 |
|
