Frank Sumatra
Mike Yeaman
Genre: Comedy
Cast size: 4
Duration: 45 mins approx
Mike Yeaman | Comedy | One Act | 3m, 1f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
Performed in the style of a live radio recording, there is plenty scope for physical comedy between the two actors and the sound effects technician who also plays Frank.
In the 'radio play' being broadcast Bev and Keith are a nice young couple who are conscientious about doing their bit for the environment and worry about what to put in the recycling bin. They pay ten pounds a month to the World Wildlife Fund to sponsor an orphan orangutan in a sanctuary.
They’re also trying hard for a baby but Keith’s little swimmers just aren’t up for it at the moment. When their orangutan turns up on the doorstep, Keith is adamant that they call the RSPCA right away but Bev persuades him to let him stay for a few days. After all, he has made a very long journey to visit them.
Slowly, Frank gets his grippy feet firmly under the table and Bev and Keith find themselves parents to an increasingly difficult unruly teenager. All their ideas about good parenting go out of the window.
Bev is more forgiving of Frank who, after all, has had a traumatic start to life. Keith is less sympathetic and feels increasingly feels that he is sidelined. He begins to feel his position as the alpha male in the family is under threat.
Frank starts staying out at nights and it becomes clear he is up to no good. Aware that they are harbouring a criminal, Bev and Keith are powerless to do anything as they are implicated. Frank is also turning aggressive. Eventually they decide enough is enough and decide to drug Frank so that they can dump him somewhere. The plan goes wrong and Frank returns to wreak further havoc, leading to Keith having a complete breakdown. Frank finally usurps Keith and a new family order is established with a bizarre twist.
A tight comedy three-hander that’s simple to stage and ideal for festivals.
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