Runed (a spoof of M.R. James' "Casting the Runes")

Bunning is an occult writer who has recently been cursed by a set of evil runes. If this situation doesn't change he will surely be ripped to a million bloody pieces by an inter-dimensional beastie. Can Bunning and his hapless sidekicks survive the dire jinx by pulling off a fast one on a crazed literary rival? This madcap riff on the M.R. James horror short "Casting the Runes" is full of zany...
Bunning is an occult writer who has recently been cursed by a set of evil runes. If this situation doesn't change he will surely be ripped to a million bloody pieces by an inter-dimensional beastie. Can Bunning and his hapless sidekicks survive the dire jinx by pulling off a fast one on a crazed literary rival? This madcap riff on the M.R. James horror short "Casting the Runes" is full of zany mischief and misfiring magic.

Part of "Seven Deadly Tens: A sinful collection of short plays," published by Original Works Publishing.
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Runed (a spoof of M.R. James' "Casting the Runes")

Recommended by

  • Ross Tedford Kendall:
    13 Mar. 2021
    A very funny and twisted piece about a curse, and the struggles of the characters to rid themselves of it. Suspenseful as well as hilarious, this is a real audience pleaser.
  • Cheryl Bear:
    22 Jul. 2020
    A fantastic literary horror with a curse that may come upon him unless he can figure out a way to lift it! Very funny!
  • Jennifer O'Grady:
    12 Feb. 2019
    I was fortunate to see this in Heartland's 10-Minute Play Fest and it's such a funny and wild play. The whole audience was laughing, and it seemed clear that the actors were having an amazing time performing it. Loads of fun.

Character Information

  • Bunning
    20+,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Male)
    A frantic, cursed book editor (lead)
  • Payton
    20+,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Male)
    A bumbling book publisher
  • Winkle
    20+,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Male)
    A plucky side-kick, ready for action
  • Farswell
    20+,
    Any
    ,
    Any (but probably Male)
    A snooty, brilliant (in his own mind) occult writer

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Unbound Productions
    ,
    2012

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Santa Paula Theatre Center - Playapalooza
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Funny Shorts Live - Center for Performing Arts at Bonita Springs
    ,
    2019
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Heartland Theatre Festival
    ,
    2018

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Pick of the Vine
,
Little Fish Theatre
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
The Edge Fest Eight
,
Birdhouse Theatre
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Stage It! Play Festival
,
Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs
,
2019
Winner
,
10-Minute Play Festival - "Magic"
,
Heartland Theatre Company
,
2018