A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Babysitting Calvin

Short Play, Comedy  /  3w, 2m

John H. Newmeir

Babysitting Calvin
by John H. Newmeir

Baby Calvin (acted by an adult) can remember his previous life when he was happily married to Laura. Calvin will lose his blissful memories when he reaches his first birthday - or speaks - so he determines not to talk! His babysitter is Laura but she…

Babysitting Calvin

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    40 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

Calvin, a ten-month old baby (acted by an adult), can still remember his previous life when he was happily married to Laura, despite the constant attentions of his womanising friend, Bob. Calvin will lose his blissful memories when he reaches his first birthday - or speaks - so he determines nothing will make him talk! When his single parent mum is persuaded by her sexy friend Donna to go out for the evening, he learns that his babysitter is none other than Laura! Alas, she has brought along a friend - lecherous Bob. Calvin sets about thwarting Bob's licentious desires using every trick known to babies. Can Calvin prevent the unthinkable happening... without uttering a word? 

 

 

History

First poduced by Adelphi Players at the Thurrock Drama Festival on 11th June 1997.

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

M2

baby (young appearance)

Bob (Lecherous 40s)

F3

Katie (Pretty - young)

Donna (Curvaceous - young)

Laura (Late 30's/Early 40's)

The characters can be flexable. For instance - mothers come in all shapes, sizes and ages. So it follows that Katie may be modified to suit the availability of your actress. Likewise Laura etc, can be older or younger than as stated.

When ages are changed, careful consideration must be taken and other characters altered accordingly. For this purpose, the cast is divided into two categories: (a) Katie and Donna and (b) Laura, Bob and Calvin.

The essence of the play is fun for both cast and audience alike. As all good farces, and those comedies bordering on farce, are built on speed and energy, so it falls to Katie to initate the pace from the outset. Behind schedule with a million and one things on her mind, the chasing around to catch up must appear frantic. Donna's appearance as the man-hungry companion is both pleasing to the eye and helps establish the sex-mad character of Bob. Laura's level-headedness is the only semblance of normality during the first scene and creates the "straight-man" syndrome in the second. Calvin's character and general appearance are comical and care must be taken he does not detract from other acting areas.

Warning: Be mindful to build the play-pen larger so as to accommodate an adult!

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    A living-room

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

None

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £40 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

John H. Newmeir

John H. Newmeir
John H. Newmeir, author, actor and producer, was born 9th August 1951 in Bethnal Green, London. He completed drama school with honours from the London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and has appeared in a full range of plays from comedy to tragedy, farce to musicals. Among hi ...
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