by Angus Cameron
Actors begin to enter with large bundles of sticks, sombre but unemotional. They pile them together to make a bonfire. They leave and return as many times as needed. On the penultimate trip a large wooden stake is brought out and placed in the middle, standing vertical and tall above the pyre. The last one brings out a young child, of about 12. The actor who brings out the child is not rough or forceful with them but certainly in control; they stand near the bonfire.
The others stand and watch the child.
The Child: I will burn for you.
Two actors come forward and tie the child’s hands behind their back.
Again, this is not forceful.
They step away.
The Child: I will burn for you.
Two actors then guide the child to the centre of the pyre.
They step away.
The Child: I will burn for you.
An actor goes and ties the child to the stake.
And steps away.
The Child: I will burn for you.
One by one the actors light the bonfire until it is in flames.
The actors then stand and watch, still sombre but unemotional.
The smoke and flames obfuscate the centre of the bonfire.
The crackle and roar are loud.
Perhaps it is unclear but once more it can almost be heard:
The Child: I will burn for you.
A slight smile creeps onto one actor’s face.
The Campaign & After Plays 