Actors:
Narrator
Rob
Grant
Susan
Jackie
Frank
Thief
"God"
Extras
Mime Team
Stage Lighting Suggestions
Stage Lighting should have at least 2 different brightness settings. or different sets of independent lights
An Ultra-violet light is a good idea to bring out the brilliance of the white in contrast with the Black.
Spotlights that are able to weave around the stage and can shine different colours.
Stage Props
Large sign saying "HEAVEN, THIS WAY"
Large sign saying "HELL, THIS WAY"
One very thick piece of rope
Many, Many pieces of rope of different thickness.
Costumes
Only all Black or all white may be worn.
Each person who is to have ropes on them must be heavily laden with these ropes. The number of ropes must look like a heavy burden.
Rob should have an all black overall that is easy to step out of without needing to remove all his ropes.
Knee and Hand Guards would be useful for the extras crawling about on the stage.
CAUTION:
1. Ensure that the rope nooses are not slip knots, with the
exception of Robs and the Thief's one that he shares
with Rob.
2. Care must be taken not to make these ropes so long that
other people can stand on them and cause an injury.
(About ankle height should be fine.)
Curtain Closed - Enter Narrator
Narrator:
"What you will see represented today/tonight is
what happens to each person’s spirit. You will be
able, as it were, to see through the people to what is
happening with their spirits.
Exit Narrator
Open Curtain: Scene One (Bare stage with a sign on the left saying 'Heaven this way', and a sign on the right saying 'Hell this way'. An entrance at the back of the stage in the centre allows actors to enter & exit while they are still alive.
Extras continue to crawl by in the direction of Hell for the full duration of the play. This must be done in such a way that they do not distract the audience from the main actors.
(I suggest knee and hand guards for these people.)
Enter Extras from back of stage
(dressed in white and black with ropes around their
necks crawl by very slowly and at an even pace.
beware of backstage noise when moving from the
Hell sign back to the back entrance.)
Enter Rob from back of stage
(A man dressed in black with at least a 100 nooses
around his neck, of varying lengths and thickness' of
rope, crawls on to the stage and sits in the middle
with his legs dangling off the edge of the stage. Rob
sits down.)
Enter Grant from back of stage
Grant is dressed in black also with many nooses around his neck. Grant crawls up to Rob.
Grant : "Hello Rob"
Rob : "Hi"
Grant : "How are you today?"
Rob : "I feel fine thanks and you?"
Grant : "Not as great as yesterday, but I'll do thanks"
Rob : "Sorry to hear about that, anything particular the
problem?"
Grant : "Not really, just the normal pressures piled a little
higher today."
Rob : "Well I hope your day gets better."
Grant : "Me too, well, see you around some time."
Rob : "Sure thing, Cheers."
Exit Grant in direction of Hell.
Enter Susan
(Susan is dressed in white and crawls up to Rob and sits next to him her feet also dangling over the stage.)
Susan : "Hi Rob"
Rob : "Hi Susie"
Susan : "What you up to?"
Rob : "Nothing particular, sitting in the sunshine and
catching a few rays. Weather is great today. And
you, what are you doing."
Susan : "Much the same. I sure love it when Jesus makes the
sun shine, reminds me of how much he loves me."
Rob : "Hey, I didn't know you were a Jesus freak"
Susan : "Wouldn't have it any other way. I remember very
clearly what my life was like before I made him my
Lord and Master. I tell you this though, I wouldn't
give up what he has given me for anything in the
world. I don't know how he does it or what he does
but I just have a completely different view of life, an
extra bounce in my step. Just knowing why I am
here on this earth and having someone always with
me that I can count on, no matter what happens or
how bad it gets."
Rob : "Are you for real Susie. Is there really something in
this whole Jesus stuff?"
Susan : "You better believe it Rob. What do you believe
in?"
Rob : "Well… I believe in a God, whoever he or she,
,heaven forbid, might be. I am not really sure about
the details though. I kind of have my own
philosophy about all of this stuff. I suppose you
think I am going to go to that place called Hell. You
know I do a lot of good stuff, surely that must count
for something in your God's eyes.
Susan : "Well not really Rob, you see if you have sinned
just once in your life you will go to hell when you
die…
Rob : "Hey man that isn't fair Susie, I mean isn't your
God supposed to be a God of Love. How could he
send almost everyone to Hell. I mean, I do not want
anything to do with a God like that! And what about
all the other religions, I suppose they too are all
going to go to Hell.
Susan : "Well Rob I don't make the rules, but I'll tell you
this. It must be impossible for people to save
themselves no matter what religions they follow if
God saw it necessary to have his own Son killed and
Cursed as a sacrifice to buy us back from Hell,
where, as you correctly said, we were all going to
end up. I figure a God that does that for those who
hurt Him regularly is a God of Love, don't you.
Rob : "I suppose, but why not simply forgive us. I mean,
after all there is supposed to be no-one else he has to
report to. He can make the rules any way he wants.
Why have to kill someone if he sins?
Susan : "Well, actually, before the beginning of time God
did make the rules, and one of them was that anyone
who disobeys him has to die and be cut off from him
forever. That's what Hell is you know. You probably
do not realise it but you were given your five senses
so that you could see the magnificence of God's
handiwork. You take your five senses away and that
is being removed from God. You cannot talk or hear
yourself. You cannot see anything or feel anything
around you. You cannot even feel yourself you
know. You can't even smell anything. All you can
do is think. Did you know that babies born with less
than 3 senses generally lasts less than a day or two.
They scream frantically because they cannot be
consoled or made to feel safe. You think of all the
horror movies you've seen and how real they would
become if you were in Hell with that terrible fear of
the unknown. No thanks. I have no intention of
Going there.
But getting back to the point. God cannot break the
rules he has already made. What he does with those
who died in the past I do not know. But those who
die after Jesus' death, who have accepted Jesus as
their Lord and Master, and prove that they Believe
in Jesus by what they do and how they act. Jesus
pays the death penalty for them. For those who do
not however, they have to pay their own death
penalty. Think about how hard it must have been for
God to watch his Son die such an agonising death. I
do not think God will simply pardon those who
actually do not even care that Jesus died for them, or
those that say they care but do not prove it.
Rob : "You know Susie what you say makes a hell of a lot
of sense if you'll excuse the pun. If I wanted to get
Jesus to pay my death penalty, what would I have to
do. How much must I pay the Church, How often
must I pray and read the Bible. I really want to do
this. Please wont you tell me.
Susan : "You can't buy God's forgiveness Rob. The same
way as being in a garage doesn't make you a car,
being in a church doesn't make you a child of God.
Making the sound of a car doesn't make you a car,
reading the Bible and praying does not make you a
child of God. In fact there is nothing that you can do
except surrender all you have, and swap God
everything you are, and want to have or be,
for everything he has, and everything he wants you
to have and be. That is the deal…. You have to give
up."
Rob : "That's one hell of a tough request Susie. I suppose I
really have to mean it hey."
Susan : "Well He knows if you mean it or not. You can be
sure the swap will not take place unless you really
do mean it, and live a life from then on doing your
best to prove it."
Rob : "So if I really want to do this, how do I tell him."
Susan : "Well there I can help you. I'll be back later, you think about it a
bit. Perhaps some of the people in the audience also want to think about it. They will not have to let anyone else around them know but silently within their hearts they can also give up, and swap with Jesus.
Rob : "Well that has given me something to think about.
See you later Susie."
Susan : "Sure see you just now. I am just going to get a
chocolate from the café, want something?"
Rob : "Huh, No thanks."
Susan exits through the back of the stage.
Rob gets up and moves to the side of the stage.
Curtain Closes and Opens again
A Narrator reads the Bible verses that deal with Nicodemus' visit to Jesus in the night. (John 3 :1-21)
And the story is acted out in mime on the stage.
Curtains Close and Open again and the mime team are now off stage.
Rob moves back to his place in the middle of the stage with his feet once again dangling over the edge of the stage.
Enter Susan from the back of the stage with a chocolate.
Rob : "Hi That was quick…. I've thought about it and it
all makes sense, well sort of. I have a lot of
questions though."
Susan : "You ever here of the Holy Spirit Rob?"
Rob : "Mmm bits and pieces. Why?"
Susan : "Well it's like this. When you become a true
believer in Jesus something happens that no one can explain. You begin to receive insight into a world
that exists, but to which you were cut off before. Well the Holy Spirit is the one who gives this insight. I could sit and argue issues with you until the cows come home. It will not help you understand anything. Only the Holy Spirit can show you these things and give you the answers to your questions. He does it in his own time mind you, so you had better learn patience. But I will tell you this. Until you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour and passed from the world's side of life to God's side of life, no answers will be made clear to you. You have to accept this first step by faith, and then the Holy Spirit will start to lead you through the rest of your life. Step by step.
Rob : "Are you going to be there if I need help
Susie?"
Susan : "Sure I will. you know my number, just call me."
Rob : "Ok… so lets do it.
Susan : "Just pray after me."
Rob : "But I do not know how to pray."
Susan : "Simply picture in your mind what you believe the
Father looks like and talk to him."
Rob : "Oh… seems simple enough… Ok I am ready,
Those of you out there that want to join me, you do
not have to get up, simply pray along with me and
Susie. God knows who and what you are and he
loves you."
Susan : "Father Almighty,"
Rob : "Father Almighty,"
Susan : “ have done so many things that are wrong,"
Rob : "I have done so many things that are wrong,"
Susan : “ know now that these things,"
Rob : "I know now that these things,"
Susan : "are going to separate me from you when I die."
Rob : "are going to separate me from you when I die."
Susan : "I have seen this beautiful world you made,"
Rob : "I have seen this beautiful world you made,"
Susan : "and I want to stay with you forever."
Rob : "and I want to stay with you forever."
Susan : "You say in your Bible,"
Rob : "You say in your Bible,"
Susan : "That to be born again as your child,"
Rob : "That to be born again as your child,"
Susan : "All I need to do is truly believe in Jesus,"
Rob : "All I need to do is truly believe in Jesus,"
Susan : "And accept his death as having paid for mine,"
Rob : "And accept his death as having paid for mine,"
Susan : "And then you will cause my spirit to be born,"
Rob : "And then you will cause my spirit to be born,"
Susan : "Into your kingdom,"
Rob : "Into your kingdom,"
Susan : "And I will be made your child."
Rob : "And I will be made your child."
Susan : "I Believe what your Bible says,"
Rob : "I Believe what your Bible says,"
Susan : "And I surrender all I am and all I have,"
Rob : "And I surrender all I am and all I have,"
Susan : "In exchange for eternal life with you."
Rob : "In exchange for eternal life with you."
Susan : "Please forgive me for all the wrong things I have
done."
Rob : "Please forgive me for all the wrong things I have
done."
Susan : "And make me a brand new person in Jesus."
Rob : "And make me a brand new person in Jesus."
Stage dims to pitch black
Rob takes off his black clothes under which he has white clothes. Susan & Rob are still in the exact same position as when every light went out.
Stage Lights up again
Susan : "Well there you go Rob, you are now a Born again
child of God."
Rob : "But that seems too simple. Isn't there something
hard that I have to do to attain this status of being a
child of God?"
Susan : "No Rob. It is easy because God has already done
the hard part. Watching Jesus die in your place
when you deserved to, and he did not, was very
hard.
But he did that because he loves you. You cannot
attain the status of Child of God. It is a free gift
given to you because God is gracious and loves you
very much."
Rob : "So what do I need to do now?"
Susan : " Set aside a special time with God each day to tell
him about what you are doing and to ask for
guidance. Use this time to learn more about God
from His Bible… Oh crikey look at the time, I really
must fly. I will see you soon. Cheers."
Rob : "Thanks a million Susie, Cheers."
Exit Susan in the direction of Hell dragging her ropes behind her.
Narrator: "Well, to all of you who prayed this prayer what
you saw that happened to Rob is what has happened
to your spirits. Congratulations and welcome to the
family of God. Please can you furnish us with your
details so that we can stay in touch with you. There
is a register at the back of the church as well as
literature to help you get started on your walk
through life with Jesus."
Ensure a register is available and that the following columns can be filled in: Name, Date of re-birth, Contact Tel,. Postal Address, Name of Christian friend, Contact Tel. of Christian friend, Postal Address of Christian friend.
Suggested literature available should be Daily Prayer Guides, Bibles and Simple Tracts.
Interval
Curtain Opens
The same scene as displayed in Scene One. People dressed in White and Black with Ropes around their necks are still crawling their way to Hell in the background.
Enter Rob
Rob still dressed in white with even more ropes around his neck, once again sits in the middle of the stage with his feet dangling over the edge.
Rob picks up one of the ropes and starts to tug at the rope end tightening the noose around his neck. With a bitter voice:
Rob : "You know that Susan, that led me to Christ, I think
she is avoiding me. I never get to see her any more.
I have so many questions. I thought that seeing
as she helped me to become a Christian, that she
would at least help me get started, and be there
when I needed to talk to another Christian."
A moment of silence
Rob picks up another Rope and tugs at this one tightening the noose around his neck. In a bitter voice:
Rob : "I was retrenched last month you know. Another
guy started after I started. He should have been
retrenched. Why did I have to lose my job. I am sure
that the management were just against me because I
no longer go out drinking until all hours of the night.
Where will I find the means to support my family
for this month."
A moment of silence
Rob picks up another Rope and tugs at this one tightening the noose around his neck. In a bitter voice:
Rob : "In the supermarket the other day, Some person
caused us to wait an extra 20 minutes while she and
the supervisor had a massive argument over the
actual cost of a security gate she had bought. As a
result I was late for an interview. I probably will not
get that job. I do not think the Personnel Agent
believed my excuse for being late."
A moment of silence
Rob picks up by far the thickest Rope and tugs at this one tightening the noose around his neck. In a bitter voice:
Rob : "You know it all started to go wrong with my Grade
1 teacher. She victimised me so badly. She
destroyed my confidence. You know what she did
the one day. She kept us all in during break because
we had been running around the class. I needed to
go to the toilet and she wouldn't let me. I wet my
pants and everyone laughed at me. She laughed too.
She was so ugly to me. I hope she has died a
horrible painful death."
Enter Thief
Thief is wearing the traditional burglars mask on his face. He too has ropes around his neck and he is dressed in black The thief steals Rob's wallet and moves off a little way.
Rob jumps up and violently acts out his anger (Do not use offensive hand signals)
Rob and the thief both pick up one end of the same rope. (The audience must be able to see that this is the same rope.) As Rob is saying the following they both put the noose around their necks and pull it tight.
Rob : "That good for nothing thief. He just stole my last
hundred
tonight now. I swear if I catch him I am going to
pulverise him."
Enter Narrator
Narrator: "Please be aware that although you have so far only
seen people with ropes around their necks that in
fact the other ends are nooses around the necks of
someone else. Unforgiveness is the rope and it binds
both the unforgiving as well as the unforgiven. This
is the reason that God says in His Bible in
Matthew Chapter 5 verses 23 & 24 that if you are
presenting a gift to God at the alter and you
remember that someone else has something against
you, that you should leave your gift there, go and
make right with that person and then return and
offer your gift to God.
Remember Unforgiveness binds both sides."
Enter Jackie
For the first time someone comes on stage wearing no ropes. For the first time someone is not crawling on the stage. Jackie is dressed in Black with no ropes around her neck. Jackie comes and sits next to Rob.
Jackie : "Hi Rob."
Rob : "Hi Jackie. What are you up to this weekend?"
Jackie : "Why, what you got in mind?"
Rob : "You know our church is having a special speaker
from the States to discuss the end of the world.
Would you like to come."
Jackie : "Hey Rob, you know me, I don't believe in all this
Jesus stuff. I believe in a different religion.
you something though. I feel so free since I have
been with them. It's like a weight that was lifted off
my shoulders. They are a wonderful group of
people. So caring, so kind, always ready to lend a
helping hand to anyone in need. I really have found
freedom there. Why don't you rather come to my
church this weekend?"
Rob : "You really have got me thinking Jackie.
Unfortunately I have a few responsibilities at our
church this weekend. I will not be able to do it this
weekend. But maybe next weekend I'll join you. I
can see that you are a really relaxed person. There
must be something in it. I'll chat to you next week."
Jackie : "Okay then see you around Rob. Chin up Rob, it
could always be worse."
Rob : "I suppose that’s true. Well take care then. Bye."
Jackie : "Bye"
Jackie gets up and skips off in the direction of Hell.
Exit Jackie
Rob : "You know that girl is such an amazing person. I am
really having a problem with this being a Christian
thing. I see people that are not Christians more
happy than the Christians I see.
(Looking Up, Hands Clasped in prayer and
praying in desperation.)
God I do not understand, If I have been set free, why
do I not feel great and bubbly all the time. Just look
at Jackie. She seems to have no worries at all. Please
God tell me what I am doing wrong. I know that you
love me. There must be more to being a Christian
than the life I am leading now."
All the lights go off for a few seconds and come back on to indicate a time lapse.
Enter Frank
Frank is dressed in white and has no ropes around his neck. He skips in from the back entrance. He is smiling and is full of joy. Frank comes and sits next to Rob.
Frank : "Howzit Rob?"
Rob : "Could be better Frank."
Frank : "Why's that?"
Rob : "Oh well, I am just having a real rough time at the
moment.