MOTHER’S DAY

~J.B PRIESTLY

CHARACTER SKETCH

1. Mrs. Fitzgerald-[TEJASREE] She was Mrs. Annie Pearson’s neighbor and a

fortune teller. She was a lady with strong determination and helped Annie to
stand and earn respect from her husband and children. She tries and succeeds
in revamping the characters of her family.
2. Mrs. Annie Pearson–[SNEHA] She was a pleasant woman but felt nervous at
times. Her excessive love and care have spoiled her own family and she has lost
her self-confidence in the way to fulfill her family’s wishes. Now she wishes to
take a stand of her own and earn respect and work for her feelings.
3. Doris Pearson–[ARADHANA] She was around twenty and Annie’s elder daughter.
She never contributes to household work and doesn’t care about herself. She
had an affair with Charles Spence.
4. Cyril Pearson-[NIRANJANA] He is Annie’s son and never sympathizes with her
and never cares to do anything for her. He was equally demanding and also needs
to change his attitude towards her mom.
5. Mr. George Pearson–[SHANTHI PRIYA] He was the better half of Annie but
never cares to understand or respects his wife’s feelings. He dominates the
house, but he was mocked in the club by his friends.

[THE ACTION TAKES PLACE IN THE LIVING ROOM OF THE PEARSON’S

HOUSE IN A LONDON SUBURB]
SCENE: IN A COMFARTABLY FURNISHED ROOM IN A SUBURBAN SEMI
DETACHED VILLA, MRS. PEARSON AT THE RIGHT AND MRS. FITZGERALD
AT THE LEFT WITH TWO CUPS AND A BUNCH OF CARDS PLACED ON THE
TABLE. MRS. FITZGERALD A WOMAN WITH STRONG AND SINISTER
PERSONALITY HAS BEEN TELLING MRS.PEARSON A PLEASANT, BUT
WORRIED WOMAN.

Mrs. Fitzgerald has learned the art of fortune-telling from the east. And she advises
Annie to be more specific with her family in terms of her rights and respect.

She advises her to be the boss of the family and take command of the house. Annie was
not treated well by her husband and her children. She was just working day and night
like a servant of the family who does not get any pay for this 24 HOURS service.

MRS.FITZGERALD AND MRS.PEARSON START THE RITUAL AND SHE STARTED

CHANTING THE SPELL. AFTER A FEW MINS THE SOULS WERE CHANGED , THEY
BOTH FELT THE LIFE SUCK OUT OF THEM AND THEN WERE BROUGHT BACK TO
LIFE.

Now, Annie moves to Fitzgerald’s house and relaxes there .

[DORIS ENTERS THERE]

She was left flabbergasted when she saw her mom playing cards and smoking.

Doris exists the room with tears, Mrs. Pearson lets out a giggle and starts arranging
her cards again.

AFTER A MOMENT,

[CYRIL ENTERS LEFT,HE IS THE MASCULINE COUNTERPART OF DORIS]

Doris enters left, she is in the middle of getting ready with red eyes and pale face.

THEN, GEORGE ENTERS THE SCENE

HE IS ALMOST FIFTY, DECENT BUT SLOW MOVING TYPE, HE SEES DORIS

CRYING.

After that, Annie retorts to him about why he goes daily to the club when everyone
laughs at him. She told me that he was called Pompy ompy Pearson at the club. George
was shocked at her behavior and the tone she was using in front of her. So, he confirms
her with his son, Cyril.

On hearing a knock at the door, Annie told Cyril to open and let Mrs. Fitzgerald enter.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was herself ready and spelled her magic words again to exchange and
get back their roles. They both were happy as they enjoyed the whole day. Mrs.
Fitzgerald told Annie to be firm in her attitude like this only and do not care to make
an apology or give justification for her behavior.

[MRS.FITZGERALD LEAVES AS THE FAMILY SURRONDS

THE CURTAIN FALLS]

THIS PLAY HAS A VERY VALUABLE LESSON , EVEN THOUGH THE MOTHER IS OFTEN
A HOUSEWIFE SHE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. HER EFFORTS MUST BE RECOGNISED
AND SHE MUST BE APPRECIATED FOR THE HARD WPRK SHE DOES TO KEEP THE
HOUSE IN ORDER. HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN MUST RESPECT THEIR WIVES AND
MOTHERS IN THE FAMLIY .
{A MOTHER’S LOVE ENDURES THROUGH ALL}

THANK YOU !