THE EYES OF OLD BET
A one-woman play
When an unusual creature arrives in Martha’s village, she must reconcile her child’s relentless intrigue with her own fears of the unknown.
“Its beauty is in SO many layers—the entry with the ‘infant,’ the personalities, the hugely moving connection to what prejudice looks and feels like - as well as its so simple human resolution, and the issue of powerful women and Seneca Falls. Thank you, thank you.”
~ Manya B., audience member at premier production
THE EYES OF OLD BET SUMMARY
Martha has reconciled herself to a childless, but contented, life with her husband, Edward. Yet when she’s unexpectedly blessed with a daughter, she begins to see the world through new eyes—not only in the excitement and vitality of her precious Sybil, but also in what society will withhold from her daughter, simply because of her gender. Martha’s own prejudices are put to the test when a strange creature arrives in their small town whom Sybil adores, but Martha fears: the second elephant in America, called Old Bet. Yet when a revelatory incident occurs between Sybil and Old Bet, Martha begins to see more similarities to the elephant than differences. Their relationship merges and diverges until a tragic end, but it also inspires hope and strength for bringing progress to the next generation.
The Eyes of Old Bet is the story of this elephant, but it is also the story of a mother and daughter finding a way to stand up for those who are not given the same privileges they are, reaching to gain more power of their own, and finding their voice.
“Aren’t we lucky, Mama?”
“We are, Sybil.” I kneel in front of her and lay my hands on her shoulders. “We have had the chance to meet this incredible life. But Sybil, her luck is not the same as ours. We must always watch out for those who have no voice to speak.”
Sybil’s doll stops dancing. The smile that fills Sybil’s face almost constantly is gone. She looks to Old Bet. To her doll. To me. Her tiny chin quivers. Her shining eyes pool with tears until they break the dam and flood down her cheek.
“Mama,” Sybil chokes out to me. “If Old Bet had a voice…do you think she’d say she’s lonely?”
I know she’s lonely, but I don’t tell Sybil this. Not quite. I tell her, “I think she’d say…she is far less lonely when we are here.”
DETAILS
Cast: Female
Age: 30s-70s
Running time: Around 20-25 minutes
Setting: Early 1800s. Somers, NY, a small rural town around 50 miles north of New York City. Kitchen, farm, path outside…
Genre: historical fiction, realistic drama, drama/comedy, family friendly
Content deals with: women’s rights, animal rights, circus, elephants, farm, immigrants, settlers, suburbs of NYC, mother/daughter relationship, prejudices, civil rights, finding your voice, legacy, strong female roles, good role for mature actor, mature female actor
Click here for a free excerpt to THE EYES OF OLD BET.
Click below for the complete one-act one-woman play, THE EYES OF OLD BET.
