The Cane

Mark Ravenhill

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781350108820
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Theatre Playwriting

It will be the biggest send off any teacher has ever had. No teacher is as loved.
After 45 years as a dedicated teacher, Edward is looking forward to the imminent celebration to mark his retirement.
But his home is under siege. A mob of angry students have gathered. A brick has been thrown through the window, he and his wife haven't left the house for six days, and now his estranged daughter has arrived with her own questions.
Why would they attack the most popular teacher in the school?
The Cane explores power, control, identity and gender as well as considering the major failure of the echo-chamber of liberalism.

One

Anna, Maureen.

AnnaWhat happened?

MaureenThe window broke.

AnnaHow did the window break?

MaureenThis is a temporary arrangement

AnnaDid someone break the window or?

Maureenuntil a glazier arrives.

AnnaWho broke the window?

MaureenIt’s very difficult at the weekend to find a glazier.

AnnaDid someone

MaureenI’ve been calling and calling but no reply

Annathrow something through the window? Tell me. Mother.

MaureenThat’s right yes someone threw something through the window.

AnnaWhat did they throw?

MaureenI was in the kitchen, heard the smash.

AnnaWhat did they throw through the window?

MaureenLucky really that neither of us was in the room. It was a stone.

AnnaDid you keep the stone?

MaureenActually more of a brick. A smallish

AnnaBrick! Have you?

MaureenThrown away in the rubbish along with the glass.

AnnaYou should have kept the brick. The brick is evidence.

MaureenEvidence?

AnnaThe police will want to see

MaureenOh no

AnnaWhat was used to attack.

MaureenYour father won’t want to involve the police.

AnnaWhen someone is throwing bricks through your window

MaureenA child or children, a few children

AnnaDid you see the children?

MaureenOh no.

AnnaYou didn’t see the children?

MaureenI was in the kitchen, he was in his study. He’s got a report very important report that he’s working on in his study.

AnnaHow do you know children threw the brick?

MaureenI heard them.

AnnaWhat did you hear?

MaureenThey laughed and they you know

AnnaWhat?

MaureenCalled names.

AnnaWhat names did they call?

MaureenIt doesn’t matter.

AnnaInsulting names?

MaureenThat was yesterday. It’s all very quiet today.

AnnaWere they insulting you or him? Who was the target of?

MaureenYou’ve picked a bad time. Could you maybe come back another day?

AnnaI could find a glazier.

MaureenNo thank you.

AnnaI’d like to help in some

MaureenI’ve given him noise blocking headphones. Whatever they throw at us he can block out the noise and carry on in his study working on his report. I bought the headphones last week for his birthday.

AnnaIs this a pattern?

MaureenDid you forget that it was his birthday or?

AnnaWas this an isolated incident?

MaureenNot altogether no. This is really not a good time. I’m expecting the Head.

AnnaThe Headteacher’s coming here?

MaureenThat’s right.

AnnaOn a Sunday morning?

MaureenThat’s right.

AnnaIs it usual for the Head to conduct off-site meetings on a Sunday?

MaureenNot usual no.

AnnaThe Head’s coming here because it’s pupils from the school who threw the brick through the window.

MaureenThe Head’s coming here to finalise the leaving do on Friday. Your father’s leaving do. You hadn’t thought had you? That he’s now leaving the school. Forty-five years. It will be the biggest send off that any teacher has ever had. No teacher is as loved. Friday will be full of song and praise.

AnnaBut the kids are throwing

MaureenA few of the kids

Annabricks through the window. Why would they attack the most popular teacher in the school?

MaureenShouldn’t you be looking after your family on a Sunday morning?

AnnaI have an au pair.

MaureenAn au pair?

AnnaI pay him very well.

MaureenWhy have you come?

AnnaI suppose because I missed his birthday and

MaureenYou’ve missed his birthday for years, we’ve missed your birthday for years. So why?

AnnaI wanted to catch up with you. Mother. Father. Only daughter.

MaureenWell, now that you’ve caught up.

AnnaWho patched the window?

MaureenMe and him.

AnnaYou held the ladder?

MaureenThat’s right.

AnnaYou held the ladder while he banged in the nails?

MaureenThat’s it.

AnnaWhy did he never let me hold the ladder?

MaureenDid you want to hold the ladder?

AnnaYes I did want to hold the ladder yes. I was always asking to ho...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• The Royal Court Theatre
• Coming up at the Royal Court
• Assisted Performances
• Royal Court Supporters
• Bar & Kitchen
• Support the Court
• Contents
• Characters
• One
• Two
• eCopyright