As a playwright, Benjamin's first play "Pick A Card" won 3rd prize in the St Martins Playwriting Competition in 2002. In 2004 he was commissioned to write "Short Trip" for St Martins' as part of the Scattergun Project, which took out St Martin's Best Play that year. "Go, Fish" was short listed for St Martin's Play of the Year in 2005. Also in 2005, he was one of the few Australian delegates at World Interplay – an International Playwrights festival, was invited by the Melbourne Writers Festival to speak about playwrighting and was listed by MX magazine as one of the top 10 emerging artists to watch out for. In 2006, he was commissioned by Riverland Theatre Company to cowrite and dramaturge "HOONS “which was performed at Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2007. Benjamin's work has also been performed and received workshops throughout Australia, New York and Canada. "interrogation” his award winning piece for the 2004 Melbourne International Fringe Festival was translated into Spanish and adapted to a short film shot in Mexico and was seen in an updated version on Toronto's stage for the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2009. “Short Trip” was performed in 2010 at St Martin’s Youth Art Centre again for their anniversary celebrations. His monologues have been published online at Maple Tree Literary Supplement.
His works include
PLAYS
Pick A Card (40 mins)
3rd Prize St Martins Playwrighting Competition 2002
Six friends play a game of chance one night and discover more about themselves then they ever would.
Short Trip (12 mins)
Winner of Best Play 2004. Commissioned by St Martins Youth Arts Centre
Two teenage boys take a trip mentally and physically as they ride the number 96 Tram from Preston to St Kilda.
interrogation (80 mins)
Performed as a part of Melbourne Fringe Festival 2004, Toronto Fringe Festival 2009
A man tries to write a film. But there’s something about these characters of his that feel somewhat familiar.
Go, Fish (15 mins)
Short Listed for St Martins/Express Media Play of the Year 2005
Sometimes when you look for love, all you need is some paid help.
HOONS (45 mins)
Co created and dramaturged for Riverland Youth Arts Company 2005.
Premiere at Adelaide Fringe Festival 2006.
Explores the issues of young drivers and the risks that face them.
FILM
Highly Unlikely
Short Film written for 20 Buck Films Canada, 2009.
When a man awakes from his sleep, an unlikely visitor may change his life forever.
A Simple Mistake
This short film is in pre production.
A son returns to his Dad’s bedside to say goodbye. But somethings are better left unsaid.
The Interview
Development Stage.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is taking the initial step. This powerful short, shows us the lengths we have to go to, to put food on the table.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
Hush Little Baby
an exploration of sexuality and desire
The Danger with Donny Brooke
A full length play about family and the things we try to forget
In the Darkness of Shadows
Questions the reality of our memories when we question ourselves
W.I.R.
deals with crimes amongst friends and collegues
SELECTED MONOLOGUES
Judy from The Danger with Donny Brooke
JUDY, a 40 year old woman weathered by the sun and holding her thoughts in for the
last twenty years. Her beautiful features were the biggest attraction around but she was
devoted to her husband and family. Stubborn and heart broken she stands outside her
home after the wake of her husband, Donny. Murray was an old boyfriend before Donny.
He tells her he loves her and wants to get together. Pleading for her reaction and touch
he says, Petal!!!
JUDY: Donny used to call me Petal. I told him he would never get near
my rose bush again if he kept doing so and so he stopped. There’s no
decency nowadays. I've played my part in his game of vagabond lies, his
and so many of his friends. Petal, Love, Sweet Pea, Honey,
Pumpkin, Muffin, Angel cakes. Always food and botany. How's a
woman supposed to cope with all the weight issues when she is constantly
told she is a piece of food? Something to nibble on between meals. It gets
at you after a while. It starts to break you down - crumb by crumb, piece
by piece, petal by petal, season by season ñ the land and its lovers. My
lovers as it would seem. Is that why you have asked me out here Murray?
It's time to speak to her, find out how she is? Find how she lost her place
in the family. Find out how she looses her breathe on every exhale? How
she is struggling to come up for air? How she feels living in a place all
alone now that he
(Pause)
...today may not be the day for it Murray. The day or the place or the time
or the person.
I was told once that I was a lady. I always thought that was special to be
considered a lady. Prim and proper with the tightened back. But here
here you need to go on fighting like a man for the rest of your time but
that's what I am used to. Out here I need to do more that what I am
capable of but you… You thinkI’m the snack between your meal. Well
Murray, I’m too healthy to be someone’s snack. I just may be too
indigestible. Matt came back to rub my face into the ground again
because he thinks just like you. You may not have been around too much
for his upbringing but something’s do rub off on your children regardless.
I’ve often wondered how a child can be raised so well and turn out like
they do. I think he just has too many secrets. Like us Murray. We don’t tell
our darkest secrets to anyone. Even the closest of friends. Sometimes you
just need to shut everyone out because that’s the only thing that keeps you alive.
The only thing that keeps you going. Dust leave its trace. Memories always
haunt you and some people just stain the surface. Like you Murray. Just like you.
Donna from “HOONS”
Donna, a late 30’s single mother deals with her son in hospital after a car accident.
DONNA: He’s been in the hospital five days. He’s not well. My little boy is not well at all, no he’s not. They’ve given me the night to think about it – the night – can you believe it? A night can’t be long enough? It’s never long enough. A night is filled with darkness and sparkles - not an eternity of decision making. Five days. He’s only 15 – just a teenager. It was his birthday last week. He wanted a bike but we couldn’t afford it so he got the new game thing you know that computer thing oh I don’t know what it’s called but he liked it. I need some more coffee. Coffee makes everything a little easier. Good coffee that is. Not this crap they serve here from a machine. Why do they even have these machines here? They don’t do anything – they’re just a waste of space. The operation didn’t go so well. He’s not waking up anymore like he was before but now he’s just lying there in some state and all I want to do is grab him and shake him and tell him everything is going to be alright but I can’t cause I just want to hold his hand and not do anything but be with him. Everything is going to be alright. Life support. Horrible name, word – Support. I need some proper coffee. I should get Mother to get me some from home when, before she gets back or – I don’t need bloody coffee. Dr Stevens has been amazing. He’s doing all he can. He’s only 15. I told him. He should have buckled up. Just around the corner apparently. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter. You see. I told him. How many times can you tell someone? His head hit first. That’s why he’s not. It was a boy in the car. A boy – teenager. Old enough to drive but not old enough to stop in time. We should arrange flowers for I mean organize the um school, maybe I should call them and the uh basketball team and his, his um, wake up. Just wake up. Now. Please. Wake up. Wake up. You should go home and get my address book on the dresser. It’s next to the uh the um thing the uh box thing the uh jewellery case thing. It should be on the uh top. It should be on the – we’ll call people in the morning once. It will be for the best with all the uh. He’s a great basketballer player. He was the smallest on the team but boy could he run – like a flash – running as fast as he could and now he’s still running. If he gives me just one sign, one sign over the next six hours that he knows that that he knows that I am here for him and. He’s my only son. My only son. And he’s not waking up. He’s not waking up at all. A seatbelt. I told him. I told them all. Wear the bloody… Marg lost her daughter to a hit and run. Like a sports term. But without the cheering. He’s my son. And I can’t say it. Not yet. Not at all. I can’t say it’s time. I can’t say it’s. The sun’s coming up. Yes Doctor?
Dan from “HOONS”
Dan, a 16 year old boy who drives the car reflects on the good points of driving
DAN: I hear the sound of the engine and it gets me off. The engine and I’m racing. Along the streets, down the road, throughout the highway. Changing gears when I need to, waiting for the very last second when I have to. And it’s exhilarating. The window’s down and the gush of air washes everything away. Everything I know. Nothing in the world holds me down. So I keep driving. Driving and driving and driving. Faster and faster and faster. I’m like a Grand Prix driver, tight corners and quick exits. And my mate is the co-pilot, giving directions, giving warnings. Lights just slow us down when we don’t need to. We’re getting away from everything. And it’s great. No fabulous. That feeling of freedom. Whoosh. Over the pothole. Careless, reckless, dangerous. That’s what makes it. The lights from behind begin. They’re drawing closer on us. But we can get away. Faster and faster than they can imagine. I think back to when I was kid and on my bike with the neighbourhood kids and I would see who the fastest one on the block was. And I won. Always. Now this was my test. Outrunning. Outracing. Driving the fastest. And I’m not going to stop. We’re going to keep going. But they keep coming up. Keep coming up from behind. I just started driving and now what are they going to do. I have no more freedom. They’ll take away my license. Take away my car. This is the third time strike. And I can’t afford that. So I have to keep going. I’m going to outrun as fast as I can. I know these roads. I know them like the back of my hand. One bend in a straight road. That’s all I have to remember. But they’re gaining on me. The red and blue specks from before are gaining on me. And I’m loosing my lead. I’m not losing my car. I’m going to win this one. Got enough petrol. Check. Have my clothes. Check. Got me car. Check. Got my best mate sitting next to me. Check. And I’m running on something. Something crazy. The bend is approaching. I gun it. Faster and faster. I can make this turn, quicker than anyone. I lower the gears so I can make the tight corner. They’re not too far behind. I’ll give it all I can. I’ve tried it before. And I’m starting to turn. And I hear – Pop. Bang. Tires blow. Car spins. I try to hold on. But she’s loosing her stride. And she spins. And spins and spins. And I try to hold on but I’ve lost her. And then there’s the tree. It stops me with a giant sound. And out the corner of my eye I see the police lights right behind. Someone is running. And there’s blood on the windscreen. But it’s not mine. It’s not fricken mine. And (as I look over), for a moment I wish it was.
Monologue from “interrogation”
A girl speaks about the desperation of wanting someone there for her which ultimately leads to her demise.
A GIRL: Today feels good.
He hasn’t called though but I’m getting there he will I’m sure I hope he will no he will of course he will yes I know he will oh JESUS this is ridiculous (breathes) I’m just taking it moment to moment waiting
secretly I hope he’s waiting out the front of my house when I walk home from the streetcar just waiting for me I’ll arrive home and he’ll be outside sitting by the fence waiting for me coming from his car as I turn the corner waiting for me just sitting there waiting for me manly intriguing hopeful WAITING FOR ME
Isn’t that ridiculous isn’t this ridiculous
Maybe he could be following me back from the streetcar to home home to the streetcar waiting at the streetcar stop in the darkness waiting nearby even waiting then after waiting stalking me following my every move without me knowing just waiting in the deep dark of the wintry night his eyes transfixed on me his eyes investigating me with his blue eyes, his big bold blue eyes his dark burnt hair sweeping over his deep focused brow his eyes focused on how sexy thethought of someone following you following your every move with their, just waiting for me to get home running up from behind taking me in his arms allowing me give over to and smiling happy excited loved in love beautiful
After the walk to the streetcar he’s not there not waiting not thinking of me the keys has turned on the door and he’s not there he’s not there he’s not there he’s really not there and all I know is please please if one day please just one day please please that one day someone could love me that much.
isn’t this ridiculous isn’t that ridiculous.
Misty from “interrogation”
In one of her first scenes in the play we see that Misty is in desperate need for a job. Although excited and bubbly at the interview she looks for anyway to help support her family.
INTERVIEWER: Tell us why you want this job? In your own words.
MISTY: I think I mean I know I’d be perfect for this type of work. I have a life that I haven’t lived yet. I presume that’s what you’re looking for? I mean that’s the type of thing I get from this position. I mean through fantasy, through storytelling I get to do all those things I never thought I would. And I’m great on the phone. I can talk forever. That’s what people tell me. That I have a great phone voice. “Hi there. How can I help you ”. And I fake orgasms all the time so it’s not that much of a stretch for me. Not on the phone just with people… I can do it for you now if you like? The phone thing. Ooh… Ah oh yeah… oh yeah… Yeah that’s it… yeah that’s it… It feels so good… Oh my god… oh my god… oh my god…. OH MY GOD! (A quick moment) You see? I just … I would be amazing at this job. I can start right away. I have a phone – which is great. I have my own place. By myself. Well there is another but he’s small and doesn’t count so there’s no distractions. I’m willing. I’m willing to try things. What more could you ask for? What do you say? BEAT. I need this. I really need this job. I don’t know what else to do.
LONG PAUSE.
INTERVIEWER: You can start Monday.
Hawke from “W.I.R.”
Hawke, a 30 something year old innocent thug like character, is sitting with his criminal partner (Fox) talking about a dare they had decided on last week. This was recently published on Maple Tree Literary Supplement http://www.mtls.ca/issue5/writings-drama-noble.php.
HAWKE: It wasn’t really my intention but it happened the way it did because… life has a very unusual way of working out you know? I watched this doco once on tv about fate and stuff and I think that’s what happened to me. There was this inspirational speaker on the tele and all they were doing was like promoting the way to live. “Follow your dreams” “Use your gut instinct” “The right path lights its way”. And I felt that man I really did feel that. I felt like the path was laid in front of me and I was just taking step after step in the right direction. That inspirational speaker was talking to me that very instant. No thought just action. What I thought was right. “the right path lights its way” but… then…
…these hands. You never ever think about, what they… I mean they’re just hands. Funny things hands. Strong but delicate sometimes slender somewhat foreign to the rest of the body. The look of them anyway.
She was walking past me on the way to the shops. My day hadn’t been going well. One of those horrible days. Sleep felt like a dream, terrible nightmares, and it was early and I hadn’t had any sleep. Like no sleep what so ever and I just went with it. I just went with the feeling. I think sometimes you just gotta go with it you know? There are moments in life when someone is telling you that that’s right. Give it a shot. See what happens and maybe sub consciously I always wanted to know what would happen but I kinda just put it aside you know and did what I did.
You won’t tell Marion will ya? She be pissed off you know. Especially now that she’s pregnant – she’s alway’s pissed off.
That woman on her way to the shops didn’t know what to expect you know. She was just walking past me on that crowded street, people dancing through the spaces, sounds jumping round the walls and I just saw her and thought man what would happen. And so…well I punched her. Right in the stomach hard as I could. Clenched fist. Tight. Firm hand. And I got big hands you know. Big clumsy hands. She cowered over all teary eyed and stuff and I was just waiting for some little thing to pop out from her skirt. I always thought the baby might pop out you know if you punched the stomach. I thought it could be like one of those cartoons. Not that I have seen a cartoon like that but I just thought maybe it would shoot out like a star bouncing off the surfaces or even hang down on like a bungy cord from its’ what’s the name of it’s…um… umbilical cord that’s right… but it was somewhat disappointing. I prepared to be the first one to catch it, that little thing well like a boy or a girl or something would shoot out and I’d be the one to catch it. But nothing. Just this fuckwit’s foot jabbing into the side of my head. And I thought hang on a minute here you know. What’s going on. People were just rushing at me. Blokes mainly and time took forever, one of those hot days and for the first time I was scared of what I had done. I never knew that was possible. Me scared?
I got home to Marion all black and bruised and she just looked at me and thought I got ina fight or somethin’ so I didn’t tell her the truth. I thought about it. But I wouldn’t want to hurt her. And if she is hurt then the baby must feel something as well right? That’s what I think
I just never thought I’d be the children type. I can’t believe I’m going to be a father. Me a dad? I mean who would have funk’d it? It’s goin’ to be great!
LONG PAUSE.
All monologues and scripts are property of Benjamin Noble (c) 2009.