Keith Stern

Two Plays Keith Stern

Two royalty-free stage plays ideal for school productions. One set in America's Old West, the other in 18th century England. FREEZING TIME is the tale of four fascinating characters from one of the most thrilling chapters in American history, the late 19th century transition from the wild west to the industrial age. There's the hero of our story, Eadweard Muybridge, the eccentric and mysterious artist who conquered immense challenges to produce the first motion pictures. His young wife, Flora, one of the great beauties of San Francisco. Major Harry Larkyns, the English con-man who stole her heart and paid the ulitimate price. And Governor Leland Stanford, the richest and most powerful businessman in the nation, who was both Muybridge's most important collaborator and the cause of his greatest downfall. THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON is a drama set in a small village in England in the 1770s. Isolated from the rest of the country by desolate hills and moors, they have long managed their own affairs and lived by the own rules. They even have their own King, David Hartley, who leads a band of forgers who supply the locals with the coins they need for trade. The King in London decides to end King David's reign, and sends his own man to take control. Jeremy Cope seems an unlikely candidate: a little person who becomes the brunt of jokes and bullying from the villagers he is meant to subdue. After months of abuse, Cope is ready to take his revenge and a spectacular battle explodes between the villagers and the royal redcoats. A gang of ruthless criminals, crooked politicians, lusty barmaids, an eccentric priest, and a conniving tax collector. This rural village in 18th century Yorkshire is not much different from today, except for one thing: they had their very own King. But England can have only one King.