: John O'Donovan
: Flights
: Nick Hern Books
: 9781788503143
: NHB Modern Plays
: 1
: CHF 10.20
:
: Dramatik
: English
: 100
: Wasserzeichen
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
On the outskirts of Ennis, on a dark and stormy night, three men gather for the anniversary of a childhood friend, killed in a road accident when they were seventeen. Expecting a crowd and tearing into the cans, the three slowly realise they're the only ones coming. As they drink to their uncertain futures - and their receding youth - they're forced to face up to the ghost that has held them together. John O'Donovan's play Flights is a haunting and funny drama about bereavement, brotherhood and breaking away from your past. It premiered in 2020 at glór in Ennis before transferring to Dublin and London, directed by Thomas Martin.

John O'Donovan is a London-based playwright from Co. Clare, Ireland. His plays include Flights (Clapham Omnibus, 2020), Sink (Dublin Fringe Festival, 2019) and If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You (Old Red Lion, London, 2016).

ACT ONE

A dark and stormy night. Rattling branches, rain. Some white streetlight from outside barely lights the space.

CUSACKenters, hurrying out of the weather. Can’t believe no one’s here. Sees PApassed out across the oche. Doesn’t try to wake him. Looks further in to see if anyone is around, sees no one and so turns to leave.

BARRYenters from the bathroom, holding unlit candles, scaring the shit out of CUSACK, who in turn scares the shit out of BARRY.

BARRY. Jesus Christ.

CUSACK. Who’s there?

BARRY. Cusack? Is that you?

CUSACK. Sake, man, you scared the shit outta me.

What’re you doing in the dark?

BARRY. Sure the lights [don’t work].

You alright?

CUSACK. Oh I’m grand, ya, thanks Barry. I need to change my jocks like but I’m fine.

Is this everyone?

BARRY. Ya.

CUSACK. Just you?

BARRY. Well [and Pa].

CUSACK. Fuck sake, what happened?

BARRY. I dunno. He seemed grand when he came in. Bit wired.

You hardly have a light have you?

CUSACK. I hardly do. Is it drink just?

BARRYrifles through PA’s pockets for a lighter. He finds one and starts placing candles around t