They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began

by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman

(ten minute)
In the 1800s, two teen boys wandered into the Linville Caverns of North Carolina on a whim. When they accidentally broke their lantern they were thrown into total darkness. This is a play about the conversation they might have had in the dark.

(ten minute)
In the 1800s, two teen boys wandered into the Linville Caverns of North Carolina on a whim. When they accidentally broke their lantern they were thrown into total darkness. This is a play about the conversation they might have had in the dark.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    Oh my gosh. This short play takes place entirely in the dark, and the sounds are perfection. It gets creepier and creepier as it goes along. What a wild experience this would be to “see” live. A perfect, spooky, claustrophobic little play.

    Oh my gosh. This short play takes place entirely in the dark, and the sounds are perfection. It gets creepier and creepier as it goes along. What a wild experience this would be to “see” live. A perfect, spooky, claustrophobic little play.

    ”
  • Sam Heyman: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    By taking emphasis away from what can be seen and leaning on the sonic elements of the play's setting, Mackenzie Kirkman has crafted a two hander that is a sound designer's dream. Her squabbling teen protagonists find themselves navigating unknown territory without even a dry match between them, and Kirkman's expert dialogue balances edge-of-your-seat tension with fits of humor. "They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began" would be an excellent addition to a night of innovative, gripping theatre!

    By taking emphasis away from what can be seen and leaning on the sonic elements of the play's setting, Mackenzie Kirkman has crafted a two hander that is a sound designer's dream. Her squabbling teen protagonists find themselves navigating unknown territory without even a dry match between them, and Kirkman's expert dialogue balances edge-of-your-seat tension with fits of humor. "They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began" would be an excellent addition to a night of innovative, gripping theatre!

    ”
  • Toby Malone: They Bumped the Lantern Over Just Before the Play Began by Mackenzie Raine Kirkman
    “

    I love a play that removes one of our senses and forces us to heighten the others. Here, a play in a claustrophobic cave setting lets the mind run wild since, as the title suggests, the lantern was kicked over just before the play begins, and the two boys are thrown into a panic as they are trapped underground. Sinister, spooky, and entirely relatable. Great work.

    I love a play that removes one of our senses and forces us to heighten the others. Here, a play in a claustrophobic cave setting lets the mind run wild since, as the title suggests, the lantern was kicked over just before the play begins, and the two boys are thrown into a panic as they are trapped underground. Sinister, spooky, and entirely relatable. Great work.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Jedidiah
    The softer of the boys. Jed is gentler in the way he speaks and the way he thinks. Less active but far more stable because of his calm nature.
    A teen
    Any
    Male/Masc/NB
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Wayne
    The more volatile of the boys. Wayne is an action first sort of boy. It's probably him that directed them to the cave and he probably feels more responsible than he lets on. His strong emotions destabilize him at times but it's probably best not to point that out to him.
    A teen
    Any
    Male/Masc/NB
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary