This one-act play is an adaptation of Cain, a Mystery by George Gordon, Lord Byron, whose too long and talkative script in blank verse may not be entertaining in today's theatres. This acting script is in prose form with Byron's original language unchanged except for the archaic second person pronouns, "thee" and "thou" and verbs like "believest" and "shewest." The Director's Script retains the poetic form and provides backgound on the play.

Byron's tense drama about the family of Adam and Eve is as modern as today's tragic newspaper headlines. It depicts the world's first family as a today family: Cain as the first youthful rebel; Lucifer as the first false friend who steps into the gap between parents and offspring, supplying the son with answers when the parents lack the patience, or the understanding, to give him answers. He also provides excitement—in the form of a trip.

This adaptation provides ample opportunities for imaginative direction, creative acting, and exciting use of lights, sound, and special effects. The trip scene, especially, lends itself to psychedelic lighting. Simple outdoor set and costumes. This is without a doubt one of the most exciting plays that can be found to relate to life in today's turbulent America—it may provide some answers for your audiences. Impressive for college and high school contests.

A Director's Script (prompt book) is available from the publisher. It contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization, plot, and theme. It also suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movement and business.

Other Clark adaptations: As You Like It, The Barber of Seville, Cyrano de Bergerac, Doctor in Spite of Himself, Gondoliers, Importance of Being Earnest, Macbeth, Marriage of Figaro, The Pot Boiler, School for Husbands, She Stoops to Conquer

See also: Religious Plays