I don’t often share comments in this regard, but I received some great commentary on my drama “A Flower of the Field” from the readers at the Austin Film Festival who judged the script within the top 10% of entries.
It’s very gratifying to see a play register with experienced, discerning readers and I very much appreciate Austin Film Festival forwarding me the comments – which always serve as a great inspiration for pushing forward with a piece.
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Concept: “The concept of this play was executed very well. With a focus on the time in the World where the Black Plague was in it is height, this was a story of how hope never dies and the way this was expressed through the continual existence of John Clyn was powerful.”
Plot: “‘A Flower of The Field’ is a play about a man who has taken the name and likeness of ‘John Clyn’ in order to continue giving hope to the many people seeking healing from the pestilence. During this time, many people enter into the abbey, some in accusatory fashion, others seeking help. The play establishes strong exposition, creates deepening conflict and tension, leading to a satisfying climax and denouement.”
Structure: “By fitting this play into one act with five separate scenes, the writer weaves a narrative which is rich with mystery and yet enough to propel the audience with clues as the story continues. The structure of this play is highlighted by the writings which end each scene. We find out ultimately, that the writer is Basilia de Meath, which shows a great use of foreshadowing in the earlier scenes when the character is not introduced and we are assuming it is John Clyn.”
Characters: “Every character shown in this play was not only important to the telling of this story, but filled with unique attributes which allowed each of them to be fully complex and developed as the play continued.”
Dialogue: “The dialogue was very strong and well written. No matter who was speaking, the dialogue of the character talking presented a unique voice with wants and needs different from the other voices on stage. The dialogue also (to a degree) felt like it was true to the time period of this story.”
Overall: “‘A Flower of the Field’ tells a powerful story of hope as translated through the continual perseverance of the John Clyn figure head. This story shows John Clyn was an array of different people who felt called to serve in the role as John Clyn to give hope and assurance during a time where death and pestilence were rampant and inevitable. The structure of the story shows the message of this play in the continuation of the existence of this main character. The concept and plot are sound. The dialogue and characters are rich with personality, wants and needs, internal struggle and decisions which propel the story to a dynamic climax. What needs work is very minimal however could prove beneficial to investigate–the action or exposition between the lines. At times, the poetic descriptions seemed to act for the characters before they would say their lines. Consider going through the exposition and lightening it as it felt more like a novel than the action descriptions within a scene.”