Solipsism

 

By Tony Moore

 

Genre: Fantasy/Philosophical/Comedic

 

Cast: 2 F or 2 M one of which is unseen.

 

Settings: Unit

 

Approximate Length: 8 minutes

 

Synopsis:

Sol’ip-sizm, n. The theory that self-existence is the only certainty, absolute egoism.

The play is a two handed philosophical discussion of existence and its meaning. It attempts to consolidate a great deal of philosophical discussion into a (very) short play. It is slightly tongue in cheek but avoids flipness, and can be treated as a comedy or taken seriously.

The action takes place on an empty stage with one performer appearing and talking to a disembodied voice.

 

 

History: The play was originally produced by Spotlight Theatre Co in Adelaide in July 2008 as part of Bite Size Theatre. 

            In August 2009 it was produced at Turtle Shell Theatre in New York as part of the Eight Minute Madness Festival.

 

Scripts and Performance rights can be obtained from this website. See the Services page for information.

SOLIPSISM

Excerpt

 

Sol’ip-sizm, n. The theory that self-existence is the only certainty, absolute egoism.

 

The play has two characters, one seen, one unseen the sex is immaterial although the two characters should probably be the same sex.

 

The stage is an empty black space. It is lit in a cold blue very dim at the edges slowly brightening into the middle.

A figure enters dressed in black or dark grey and moves to the centre of the stage.

He or she looks up.

 

Figure: Where am I?

Voice: At the beginning.

Figure: Where did I come from?

Voice: The end.

There is a silence.

Figure: That makes no sense.

Voice: It does from my point of view.

Figure: And mine?

Voice: Is unimportant.

There is a silence.

Figure: Who am I?

Voice: A part of me.

Figure: And you?

Voice: Me?

Figure: Yes

Voice: Who am I?

Figure: Yes?

There is a silence.

Voice: I am more than you.

Figure: How can that be?

Voice: What?

Figure: Can you be more than me if I am part of you?

Voice: If you are only part of me then you must be less than the whole that is me.

Figure: But if I am the greater part of you then the you that is not me must be less than I.

Voice: Solipsism.

Figure; Just a word.

Voice: A belief.

There is a silence.

Figure: I reject you.

There is silence.

Voice: You cannot.

Figure: Have I free will?

Voice: I do not govern you.

Figure: Then I reject you.

Voice: You cannot reject the greater whole of which you are a part.