Stage Plays by Ian Hornby
Why Won't They Believe Me?
Play for young casts - single (neutral) set - very flexible casting
Synopsis
A thought-provoking rework of the Nativity in present day guise suitable for youth and church groups, with opportunities for extras.
Marie is pregnant, but swears her innocence. Those who should believe her, including her parents, do not, and vice-versa. Marie and boyfriend Joe can find no shelter when they go to "the City". They have been spurned by her GP, teacher and the clergy. But they are helped by addicts and the homeless, who emulate the shepherds, and a policeman, doctor and truck driver as the wise men.
In a final song (music and lyric included), Marie turns to the audience and asks, "Well, if it happened today, would YOU believe it?"
Playing time approx. 15 minutes. Lots of opportunity for doubling. Can be played to an open or bare stage with minimal props and furniture.
| Character | Lines |
| Marie a pregnant girl |
82 |
| Joe Marie's boyfriend |
46 |
| Felicity i |
13 |
| Lucy a schoolfriend |
15 |
| Head Teacher |
2 |
| Mum Marie's mother |
41 |
| Dad Marie's father |
29 |
| GP Marie's doctor |
8 |
| Psychologist authority figure |
13 |
| Minister a member of the clergy |
5 |
| Driver a truck driver |
14 |
| DHSS a social worker |
5 |
| Police a uniformed policeman |
9 |
| Landlord "innkeeper" |
11 |
| One homeless person |
11 |
| Two homeless person |
8 |
| Three homeless person |
7 |
| Four homeless person |
5 |
| Opium a drug addict |
4 |
Author's
notes
Regardless of your religious beliefs, (and yours, like mine, are personal and private) religion is a fascinating subject.
Why Won't They Believe Me? doesn't make any judgments. It quite simply advances the story of the nativity a couple of millennia and examines whether it would work today. Would anyone believe a girl who is pregnant yet also claims to be a virgin? Does
she believe it?
I enjoyed challenging a few peripheral beliefs, though.
The very people Marie (= Mary) and Joe (=Joseph) should be able to rely on for help and guidance are the same people who judge them and disbelieve them. The people that society spurns, does not trust or are afraid of help the wayward couple.
There are recognisable parallels to the shepherds and the Magi within the story,
but, ultimately, the ones who must decide whether to judge or not are the audience.