Script Extract

Script Extract
Easy Read

Synopsis

Synopsis
Easy Read

Script Extract
Audio

Synopsis 
Easy Read Audio

Synopsis
Audio

SYNOPSIS

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The show begins with X, child of a high-ranking hero family, taking part in a daily pledge ceremony, in which the restrictive values of the hero realm are laid out. They admit to the audience that they are dissatisfied with their life and know that, secretly, they are not as dedicated to the Hero lifestyle as they should be.

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As they muse on a potential solution, there is panic outside as a beautiful Villainess swoops by on her dragon, terrifying the residents of the castle. X admires her confidence, and her freedom – to dress and express herself any way she likes. X realises that, amidst the pandemonium, they can make a break for it. They try to find their lover, Pax, who is one of the serving staff in the castle but they are unable to.  Feeling the chance slip away, they grab a sack of laundry and flee.

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Having found a dark, damp and suitably evil-looking place to carve out their new life, X sets about finding their villainous style. They know there are certain requirements that must be met if one is to be considered a proper villain. They toy with the extremes of feminine and masculine presentation, and remember their Uncle Cyrus, who was exiled from the Hero realm for villainy.

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As they try on a final outfit, the audience hear X recounting a story from their youth, and the deep discomfort they felt when made to wear a special outfit for their childhood “partnering ceremony” – where families meet to pair off their children for future marriages, and the deep shame they felt from their parent’s disappointment.

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Finally settling on a look they feel confident and comfortable in, they head off to a Speed-Minioning event – a networking event for Villains and prospective Minions to meet and team up. The event is quite overwhelming and X almost ducks out, rattled by the invasive and judgemental questioning from some of the prospective minions, but eventually finds someone they gel with, and agree to go to the Emerging Villains International Linkup together the following night.

Once again, the audience hears from X, reflecting on their relationship with Pax. We discover that X is under pressure from their family to cut ties with Pax, on account of the difference in status. They agree to keep meeting in secret.

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Back in the lair, X sets about practising their Villain Song, a staple of any good villain. They also settle on their name – Villainex. After a showstopper, they are feeling on top of the world and ready to face the judging panel at the Linkup, but unexpectedly X’s intended Hero fiancée shows up. He tries to convince them, in a very unappealing way, to come back home, and to him – insinuating that he will give X some time to come back themselves, before someone comes to collect them. The Hero leaves.

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Rattled by this encounter, X tries to muster up their previous confidence, but quickly realises they are late to pick up their minion, who has taken offence and spurned them. They set off to the ceremony alone.

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Having blagged their way in, tiptoeing around the no-minion rule, Villlainex (as they now call themselves) finds themselves in a very loud, very dark and disorienting space. They feel very small and alone. Things get worse when their entire identity is picked apart by the judging panel, complete with teasing, dismissal of their gender identity and underlying it all – they feeling that no matter how Villainex tries, the system is rigged against them. Their song falls flat, of course, and burning with shame they leave the club, only to encounter ruffians in the woods out to attack the villains as they leave.

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Fleeing deep into the forest, they strip themselves of their garments, and scrub themselves down. In their despair, they call for the safety and comfort of Pax.

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The audience hear Pax’s voice. She describes her life among the mundane – neither hero nor villain, she talks about the insults that have been made to her based on her social status, and how she has taken comfort in the beauty of her surroundings, and in all that grows. She reflects on the fact that neither Hero nor Villain realm really provides any security, and no one can really belong there, because both are ruled by the pain of a privileged few. She notes that X has found their way down to the village.

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X, having settled into life among the mundane, reflects on what it truly means to belong, and find community. They observe that expectations are different here, and are dependent on actions and willingness to show up and help, rather than a constant competition for praise and attention. They mourn for their lack of guidance, but try to give guidance to others. They acknowledge that they have found healing and hope at last.