Heaven's Paradise
Derek Webb
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 4
Duration: 50 mins approx
Derek Webb | Drama | One Act | 2m, 2f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
- Reviews
After a failed business venture, Ann and Michael Hampton decide to take a recuperative break on Lundy Island. While there, Ann becomes totally fascinated by the history of the Victorian owners of the island - the Heaven family; leading to consequences that neither of them could foretell...
The play begins with Ann and Michael arriving on Lundy to stay at Millcombe House Hotel. Ann notices a Victorian photograph. It is of the Heaven family, including the Reverend Hudson Heaven (who built the church on Lundy) and his sister Amelia Ann.
Ann is determined to visit the place where the photograph was taken and they do so next morning. They also visit the old disused lighthouse and discover a churchyard next to it; in which are the graves of the Heaven family. Later on they are caught suddenly in thick fog. To Michael such sudden thick fog is unusual. Ann, although finding it scaring, accepts it as common.
Imperceptibly at first, Ann's character changes and it becomes apparent that her knowledge of the island and the Heaven family is far greater than would be expected. The next morning Ann is woken by church bells, which Michael doesn't hear. A visit to the church confirms that the bells could not possibly have rung. Ann is still convinced and the two enter the church where Ann becomes increasingly pensive.
She asks to be left on her own for a while and Michael later finds her at the churchyard, crying over Amelia Ann Heaven's grave. He comforts her and they take a walk together which results in them looking for the 'Devil's Limekiln' - a huge natural funnel of rock leading down to the sea. The play ends with the finding of the Limekiln and Ann finding Amelia.
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