Running

[Two characters enter from the side of the stage. One character is chasing the first one. The two runners cross the stage, and exit on the other side. At about the same time as they exit, two other actors wearing identical outfits to the first characters run across the stage and continue in this sequence. As they run across, the first set of runners runs behind the curtain and back to the other side. A third (or more) set of runners will be necessary so there is always a team of runners on the stage at all times. After a set number of passes, which should take around a minute, the runners should begin doing changing the original pattern and start incorporating props into the play. The order of changes should be increasingly less subtle, so the audience, bored with the repetition, begins to notice that changes are happening.

Ideas of what to do (depending on props available):

* Have the runners run in a different order (i.e. the runner that was first is now second so he is now chasing, not being chased)
* Have the runners run backwards across the stage in the opposite direction
* Have the runners walk across the stage
* Have the runners use crutches to cross the stage if available
* Have two of the “same type” of runners cross at the same time
* Have the chasing runner wear a bull (or similar animal) costume if available
* Have the runners wear bizarre costumes, such as pirate costumes, elaborate clothing, Halloween costumes, fake beards, crazy hair, etc. Depending on how easy the costumes are to put, we could have multiple costumes worn by runners.
* Make them run with objects such as a football or rolling luggage
* Give the chasing runner a fake pitchfork and fake torch
* Occasionally throw in a normal set of runners to mix things up, which will probably be most effective towards the beginning



The play ends with the second of the two runners running onto the center of the stage after a brief break in the running towards the end of the two minutes, and looking around the audience awkwardly. A character dressed as the first runner appears at one of the exit doors of the auditorium, prompting the first character to chase him out of the auditorium.]