The Tragedy Of Queen Alexia

I love listening to Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics on BBC Radio 4. In the episode on Euripides she retells the play Medea and is amazing. Inspired by how miserable it is I decided to see if I could have a go at a short play based on Greek theatre. The Tragedy Of Queen Alexia is the result.

————

                                    ACT I                                   

                                   Scene 1                                 

                                                                           

                    A woman late thirties (Alexia) is sitting on the       

                    ground centre stage. She has been traveling in         

                    difficult conditions for a long while and you can      

                    tell by the state of her practical but good            

                    quality clothes. She is staring into the distance.     

                    Behind her is a white screen.                          

                                                                           

                    Masked women (Chorus) enter from behind the            

                    screen, briefly look at Alexia then stand beside       

                    her and turn to the audience.                          

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               The Kingdom is in ruins                                     

               It is so nearly rent                                        

               A war has broken out                                        

               Which the King could not prevent                            

                                                                           

               His family were taken                                       

               A wife and his two sons                                     

               Only little children                                        

               And the woman he so loves                                   

                                                                           

               Somehow she escaped their hold                              

               She knows she must return                                   

               To a King so enraged                                        

               He would let the whole world burn                           

                                                                           

                    The Chorus takes a step back to the right of the       

                    screen and sit on a bench.                             

                                                                           

                    A noise from the right. Alexia turns to look           

                    offstage to see who is coming.                         

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Who is that?                                                

                                                                           

                    A woman late thirties (Irina) enters from the          

                    left. She shows the signs of hardship, her clothes     

                    are not the quality of Alexia’s. She looks down to     

                    Alexia putting a cup down next to her.                 

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               It is a little water, it was all we could spare.            

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Where are my children?                                      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               You will get your answers but first be assured that you     

               are safe here. We are supporters of the King and your       

               face is not one we would take in error Queen Alexia.        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (Relieved)                                        

               You have my thanks in giving me your hospitality. But       

               please where are my sons Rico and Dya? They are so          

               young...                                                    

                                                                           

                    Alexia stands and Irina follows.                       

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               They are being looked after. Become calm.                   

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Who are you?                                                

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               My name is Irina. I no longer know who I am...              

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Your answers are not reassuring me. How long have I         

               been here?                                                  

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               You have been here only one day. Our spies found you on     

               the edge of the forest, you looked all but dead, you        

               must have all be exhausted beyond your limits. It was a     

               risk.                                                       

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               We had to travel at night. We are free now but I know       

               the price on our head and the danger as it will not now     

               be paid.                                                    

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               I meant it was a risk for us. This village has been         

               under siege for two years, from just after the war          

               began. We took in your cousins for refuge and the enemy     

               surrounded us. They would have been taken and executed.     

               Our loyalty has cost us.                                    

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               When this is over you will be much repaid. My family        

               are still here?                                             

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               We dug a tunnel under the barricade and they fled to        

               other parts three months ago. It was only just in time.     

               Soon after the soldiers made camp at the mouth of the       

               passage, they do not know it is there. If they found it    

               they would come and realise their prize was gone. We        

               would then all be slain.                                    

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Your noble sacrifices...                                    

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Are more than you could ever comprehend in a nightmare.     

                                                                           

                    beat                                                   

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               We were brought via the passage?                             

                                                                

          IRINA                                                            

               Watchmen saw you stumble so close to the enemy camp         

               their breath was lost. In the early hours they opened       

               the tunnel once more and brought you all inside. It was     

               a risk we should not of had to take, but the King has       

               proclaimed if none of his family are returned by sunset     

               the day after tomorrow he will send weapons so great        

               the Kingdom and the world could not withstand the light     

               they would shine.                                           

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               The price of a world, so much greater than I knew our       

               heads were valued. But do not worry. When we return he      

               will not carry out his threat. It is just he must be        

               much grieved by our loss.                                   

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Grieved? These years of war have sent the King mad. Is      

               his grief of more importance than ours? Yet the             

               destruction he holds in his hand and plays with, he         

               does not see as anything other than his own pains. The      

               lives of men, or many men, women and children and the       

               horror and injustice for those left behind are not what     

               grieves him. Lady you do not know the price that has        

               been paid for your family’s souls, or the blood that        

               has been spilt. I wonder are you really worth so much?      

               In war there are no winners but a loss such as this? We     

               were loyal for love when the war began. Now we are          

               loyal from fear.                                            

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (Urgently)                                        

               Then we must fly.                                           

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               We wait until the darkest hours. We can not risk keep       

               using the tunnel. But this last time when the Watchmen      

               decree it to be safe you will start your journey. You       

               must be returned to the King. For now I must go.            

                    Irina turns her back and makes to go.                  

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Please bring me my children, Yico and Dya. They are         

               only young and have been through so much already.           

                                                                           

                    Irina leaves not responding.                           

                                                                           

                    The Chorus rise and stand either side of Alexia        

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               What price have all these people paid?                      

               Now in fear of a man enraged?                               

               Do not expect passage so free                               

               Compensate for their loyalty                                

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But I am a queen, their allegiance is demanded.             

               The King has provided for those he commanded.              

                                                                   

          CHORUS                                                           

               Oh woman a choice must be made                              

               Time is short it won’t be delayed                           

               War is hell and you will feel it                            

               Unwise words from madness caused it                         

                                                                           

                    The Chorus back to where they were before but          

                    remain standing.                                       

                                                                           

                    (Later) Irina enters.                                  

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Preparations are being made to take you back to the         

               King. We can not let this insanity happen.                  

                                                                           

                    She hands her a bowl and a spoon.                      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               It is a long journey and you will need strength. We         

               have been under siege for so long food is very short.       

               We must make do with what we can.                           

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               I am grateful.                                              

                                                                           

                    She takes the bowl and begins eating.                  

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Please where are my sons, Yico and Dya?                     

                                                                           

                    The screen lights up from behind. Two silhouettes      

                    of small manikins can be seen.                         

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (On seeing them)                                  

               My boys. My beautiful children. Please bring them to        

               me. They must be terrified. Oh they have been my sanity     

               all this time, though they do not know it.                  

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Cast your eyes upon them. They can not hear you yet. We     

               will bring them soon so you can say goodbye.                

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Goodbye? I don’t understand.                                

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               The King has said if none of his family are returned he     

               will send devastation. Only one need be returned.           

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Yes of course, it is not wise to send us all together.      

               You will look after them and later send Yico and        

               Dya when it is safe?                                        

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               This village has suffered such terrible things in the       

               service of your family. You too must play your part.        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               I have said you will be rewarded when this is over.         

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               How? Can money or titles equal our losses, our pain,        

               our degradation?                                            

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               I fear you think I understand this situation...             

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               We will ensure you do.                                      

                                                                           

                    beat                                                   

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Whilst your cousins were safe, we fell so far. They did     

               not see, we made sure of that. If they had known they       

               would have punished us, and we would then not be            

               treated well if the war was won by either side. But now     

               it is too late to hide. The village has been under          

               siege for too long and can not get out or bring in our      

               needs. You have only seen this room. If you were to see     

               the streets, if you were to feel what this has done to      

               our people. If you could hear their cries. Ever the         

               stench of death hangs putrefying in the air and we          

               would vomit but our bellies are empty. The rats are not     

               safe from us. We would eat the mud for any sustenance       

               we could find. And in desperation we have endured to        

               keep your family safe; to depths we have sunk.              

               Depravity is the results of the terror, trapped and         

               isolated with only the knowledge of what might happen       

               to us. Is this worse than if we just let them in?           

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But you gave sanctuary to my cousins. You have honour.      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               What honour is this? Conditions of hell create beasts.      

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               From what you have said I can imagine the sacrifices.       

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Imagine? How can you even know? A mother, a father, who     

               has had to give up their children. For there were too       

               many mouths and not enough food or water.                   

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (turns to look at her "children")                 

               I...                                                        

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               When by concert we accepted our fates. Adults could         

               live without children. Children could not survive           

               without us. The strongest may need to fight at any          

               time. The weakest went first from all ages to relieve       

               the suffering of the rest. But then the children... We      

               all agreed it would happen and to all of them over          

               time, to find some justice in this hell. Justice for us     

               the monsters.                                               

                                                              

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (horrified)                                       

               And you...                                                  

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               I was a mother of two.                                      

                                                                           

                    They both turn to the silhouettes.                     

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               They were old enough to understand. One boy and one         

               girl. Some days they fought some days they loved each       

               other. We still have their toys. I can not let go that      

               I... We never told them, but I know they understood.        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               When...?                                                    

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Today. Yesterday. The day before. It has happened           

               every day to them since. To me. To have to lead them by      

               their hands. To not be able to say goodbye, because you     

               can not speak and you have to be brave for them. This       

               is how we survive this world created by the power           

               struggles of another family.                                

                         (beat)                                            

               Maybe it would be better to keep you here. Let the          

               brightness light up the horrors we have committed here      

               and end it for good. We do not deserve salvation for        

               the things we have done. We do not deserve to be            

               understood. To survive we... I did and do things of         

               which I should never speak. Instead light our crimes        

               and let it all go.                                          

                         (beat)                                            

               But the blood on our hands is already too much. We hold     

               you. We hold the key to let it rain destruction on this     

               war that burns to deeper savagery then could ever be        

               dreamt of.                                                  

                         (beat)                                            

               But the blood on our hands is already too much. We hold     

               the key that will save others, even if we have not          

               saved our own souls. So we must let you go. But you         

               will know what you have done to us.                         

                         (beat)                                            

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               This can not be. We did not ask for such a sacrifice.       

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               What would have happened if the King had conceded           

               before the war began? What was at stake? Is it equal to     

               what has been lost? Or is the crown worn so precious it     

               could never be given to pretenders who do not yet know      

               that the lack or weight upon their heads is a privilege     

               that could have saved them from shedding blood? Blood       

               upon this earth, blood that is so often required but is     

               not necessary.                                              

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But you are a villager a peasant. What do you know of       

               higher responsibilities? That it is for the protection      

               from chaos that we have law and order and it must be        

               secure. To just give up the crown to any who demand can     

               not be. Would a fair King avoid a battle but bring in       

               cruelty?                                                    

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Is this not cruelty enough? What needs this                 

               conversation? The deeds have already been done. Your        

               sons will have the same fate as every child who we          

               looked in the eye. Say Goodbye to Yico and Dya, it is a     

               closure I have been denied.                                 

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Do I now understand your meaning of this? No, you do        

               not intend what I think you imply. You can not. I am        

               the Queen. Tell me I am mistaken. You will not do this.     

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               But we must.                                                

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But no, not to me.                                          

                                                                           

                    Irina exits                                            

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Please.                                                     

                                                                           

                    Alexia turns to look upon her "children"               

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Only now do I gather the situation as a reality. This       

               is what they actually intend. How can I say goodbye?        

               No. They can not do this to me. They can not do this to     

               us. My sons who I carried for nine months. We were one.     

               Yico, my first. From the moment I knew you had come to      

               be, how I loved you. With each kick I knew you better       

               and loved you more. Yico my son. The forests were your      

               playground, no tree could not be climbed in times of        

               peace. You never knew the fear I had that you might         

               fall. But what is a break to the arm or leg with what       

               we face now? Yico who tried to protect me when we were      

               both captured. How the enemy laughed, how my heart          

               swelled even when we were both in chains. Dya my            

               youngest. I would listen to your laugh all the day.         

               When the horses refused to take your father in the          

               snow; nothing would persuade them. You watched from the     

               window howling with joy. So much so you spared them his     

               wrath. You made my world so full of colour. You             

               comforted your brother when we were in bonds. I could       

               not love you more. I could love neither of you more. Oh     

               that they would cut out my heart and not my womb. What      

               can I do so we escape this fate?                            

                                                                           

                    The Chorus turn towards Alexia.                        

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               Be careful the path you choose to tread from here...        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Is this the last I will see of my children? How can it      

               be?                                                         

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               Be careful the path you choose to tread from here...        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But if I refuse to go without them. The threat of the       

               King can be my threat to them.                              

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               Be careful the path you choose to tread from here...        

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Would they allow that outcome to occur? I have              

               something with which to bargain.                            

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               But it is already done and your choice is not yet as        

               terrible as the one you imagine you have made.              

                                                                           

                    Irina enters.                                          

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               We will bring Yico and Dya to you now. Make your words      

               good, but only you will remember them.                      

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Your words become crueller. Tell me what good does this      

               bring?                                                      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               A Royal will feel the pain we have been put through.        

               Learn your lesson. Know the consequences of the             

               responsibility you have.                                    

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               But how can a mother say "Goodbye" to her children? She     

               would not be able to speak for the weeping. What you        

               ask for is...                                               

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               What we have already given. What I already know. Do not     

               think I can not answer your questions. But answer mine:     

               why should you avoid the blade we have endured?             

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               If I refuse. What then? No, I will not go. I will not       

               meet the King before sunset the day after tomorrow. The     

               power is in my hands not yours.                             

          IRINA                                                            

               You would allow this to be our destiny?                     

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               For the love of a mother? Yes I would.                      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Say goodbye to your children.                               

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               I will not. I can not.                                      

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Be careful the path you choose to tread from here.          

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Maybe this world has gone too far. Take my children to      

               this fate and I will be true to my word. The King will      

               not see me.                                                 

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Be very careful the path you choose to tread from here.     

               For if we believe your threat to be true we will take       

               one child by force to the King. We can tell whatever        

               tale we conjure to appease him. But at least one member     

               of his family must be returned. But only one is needed.     

               You and the remaining one will seal your fate here.         

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               Why not take both and leave me here?                        

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               For you to know the pain you have brought upon us. One      

               child will be taken the other will be lost. You must        

               choose which we will return to the King and which will      

               suffer. You will live on, knowing you chose between         

               them.                                                       

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               You can not make this demand of me.                         

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               You will know what you have done to us. It is decided.      

               Only one will be returned, you must choose.                 

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

               You used to be a mother, how can you do this?               

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Because I used to be a mother, now I am a monster. Tell     

               me your answer

                                                            

          ALEXIA                                                           

               No. I will not speak.                                       

                                                                           

                    beat - silence  - beat                                 

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               Your lack of compassion has proven us right in this         

               course. You must be made to learn that others have          

               suffered by your actions. You speak of responsibility,      

               make this moment yours. You will not speak, but you         

               will decided. Remain silent, but if no more words are       

               spoken it is consent we take Yico to the King. If you       

               speak Dya will survive. Choose your son.                    

                                                            

          CHORUS                                                           

               Alexia, Alexia. Is the knowing loss of both                 

               Worse than the choice you must now make?                    

               If only you had been silent before                          

               Your actions now will make your heart break                 

                                                                           

                    Beat                                                   

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

                         (turning to the two "children")                   

               Who is it to be? Who will you condemn? One word is          

               needed to save Dya. Silence to save Yico.                   

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               Silence to condemn Dya                                      

               Speak to condemn Yico                                       

                                                                           

               Silence to condemn the youngest                             

               Speak to condemn your first born                            

                                                                           

                    Beat                                                   

                                                                           

                    Beat                                                   

                                                                           

          ALEXIA                                                           

                         (Breaking down she wails)                         

               My Dya...                                                   

                                                                           

                    She is broken.                                         

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               It is done.                                                 

                                                                           

                    beat                                                   

                                                                           

          IRINA                                                            

               I will take Dya to the tunnel. But know what you have       

               done.                                                       

                                                                           

                                                                           

                    Irina exits behind the screen taking "Dya" with        

                    her.                                                   

                                                                           

          CHORUS                                                           

               Your pain Queen Alexia will speak in your ear and in        

               your heart forever. We must go, there is nothing more       

               we can do.                                                  

                                                                           

                    Chorus exit.                                           

                                                                           

                    The remaining "Yico" stays. The lights go out but      

                    not the back lit one on the screen. All that can       

                    be seen is "Yico" and then this light too goes         

                    Out.

By Arthur Hofn

From: United Kingdom

Website: https://arthurhofn.home.blog/

Twitter: AHofn