SECESSIONVILLE

An episodic satire written in response to the growing number of separatist movements in the USA and Europe.

Cast Breakdown

12 women, 8 men

Setting

America, Contemporary

Running time

2 hours 30 minutes

An episodic satire written in response to the growing number of separatist movements in the USA and Europe.

SYNOPSIS
PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTE

The democratic process of ‘Long Division’ has divided the Nation into territorial zones: Blue, Red, Neutral and Disputed. Citizens have a temporary ‘window’ to cross between zones, before borders are closed, lines drawn and families separated.

Originally commissioned for a large international cast, the play follows the lives of twenty citizens as they navigate the impact of ‘Long Division’ on the places they call home.

Contains scenes of a violent nature.

Secessionville received its premiere in an American Theatre Arts production at Rose Bruford College, Sidcup in May 2018.

Is Secession The Answer?

“Our Pledge of Allegiance still speaks of “one nation under God, indivisible,” but that is far from the reality. One America believes our history is a catalog of crimes against people of color, that women have an inviolable right to abortions, that condoms should be handed out to sexually active teens in schools where Darwinism should be taught as revealed truth, while Bibles, prayers and religious symbols should be permanently expelled. The other America sees all this as unpatriotic, godless and decadent. One America believes in equality of rights; the other the redistribution of wealth, affirmative action, racial and gender set-asides, and quotas. One America believes in gun control; the other in gun rights. Where one America divinizes diversity, the other seeks out our lost unity and community. Half the country pays no federal income taxes, but half depends on federal benefits … We should take seriously what is behind this desire to separate and sever ties, for it mirrors what is happening across our civilization. The West is decomposing. British Tories seek to cut ties to the European Union. Scots want to leave Britain. Catalans vote to divorce from Spain. The Flemish talk of leaving Walloons behind in Belgium … And Americans are already seceding from one another – ethnically, culturally, politically … “Can we all just get along?” asked Rodney King during the Los Angeles riot of 1992. Well, if we can’t, we can at least dwell apart. After all, it’s a big country.”

Pat Buchanan, American politician, columnist and news analyst

”Is this what it is then? You all dress it up. Talk about constitutional rights and historical precedence and in the end it’s just people not wanting to be with other people. It’s about distance and silence and … And I watched on-line, the crowds, the miles and miles of people. They all seemed so desperate to get across, to get through. I thought they were all desperate to get to someone. To be with someone. Turns out they were all dying to get away.