The Bridge

Shauntay Grant

• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780369102287
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Set in a rural Black Nova Scotian community, The Bridge explores the complex relationship between two brothers strained over twenty years of secrecy, deception, and dishonour. Secrets are revealed one by one from the brothers themselves, as well as a trio of community gossips who provide the musical backdrop for this gospel-infused tale. A story of a family torn apart by betrayal, The Bridge invites us to consider the roads we choose in life, and to wonder whether we can ever cross back over the bridges we burn along the way.

Act 1

Scene 1

The year is 2010. The Choristers whisper inaudible gossip from off stage. Reverend Eli is at church. John Solomon is at home.

Chorister 1

(singing from off stage) There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole

John Solomon whittles a wooden cross. Ghost Anna places a Bible on the table.

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul

Ghost Anna retrieves Young Anna’s shawl. John Solomon notices the Bible.

Sometimes I feel discouraged

And think my work’s in vain

Ghost Anna drapes Young Anna’s shawl across an empty chair as John Solomon puts the Bible back in its hiding place.

But then the holy spirit

Revives my soul again

John Solomon sees the shawl and puts it back in its hiding place. Ghost Anna hangs a portrait of Young Anna on the wall.

Revives my soul again

John Solomon sees the portrait and removes it from the wall.

Choristers

(singing) There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole

John Solomon puts the portrait in a hiding place. Samuel arrives home with luggage.

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul

John Solomon sits whittling a wooden cross.

Scene 2

Ghost Anna

“Let not your heart be troubled.

John Solomon reacts.

“Ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

Beat.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.”

Samuel

Pops.

Ghost Anna recites scripture against Samuel and John Solomon’s dialogue.

Ghost Anna	Samuel
“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also.”	Pops.
Beat.	Beat.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”	So, what? We just not goin’?
Beat.	Beat.
“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him! and have seen Him!”	Pops.

John Solomon

Sammy!

Beat.

When you ever know me to go up to church?

Samuel

I can’t believe this. Your own mother’s funeral.

John Solomon

And the devil bringin’ the word.

Samuel

He’s your brother.

John Solomon

The devil.

Samuel

He’s the reverend, for God sakes.

John Solomon

The hell he is. Any fool can preach a sermon.

Ghost Anna

(singing) If you can’t preach like Peter . . .

Ghost Anna sings “There Is a Balm in G...

Table of contents

• Copyright
• Playwright’s Note
• Production History
• Characters
• Act 1
• Act 2
• Act 3
• About the Author