Chequered Flags to Chequered Futures by Mark Wheeller (paperback)

Revised and updated 2020 version

with introduction by Mark Wheeller and foreword ‘From Page to Stage’ by Matt Russell,
drama teacher at Samuel Ward Academy

Chequered Flags to Chequered Futures tells the true story of Chris Gilfoy, the Rookie’s World Champion Banger Racer in 2000.

Commissioned by the Victoria Shanghai Academy Hong Kong.

Synopsis:

In 2006 Chris was being driven along a public road in a powerful BMW by a racing friend. She was thought to be driving at 90 mph in a 30 limit. None was wearing seatbelts and, unknown to Chris, the driver was uninsured. Disastrously, they crashed into a wall, narrowly avoiding killing another driver. The consequences for all three in the car were life changing in very different ways.

The play tells the fast-paced story through the words of Chris and his family with great opportunities for imaginative ensemble work. In a parallel strand of powerful monologues, Jane (the mother of the driver) tells her story of the aftermath of the accident.

Duration: 

60 minutes approximately

Cast: 

5 male, 3 female, 3 any

CHRIS
LUCY (Chris’s wife)
ANN (Chris’s mum)
ROY (Chris’s dad)
BRYONI (Chris’s daughter)
JANE
SHELLEY (Jane’s daughter and Chris’s friend)
GRAHAM (Friend of both Chris and Shelley)
ACTOR
WITNESS
DRIVER OF THE RENAULT
POLICE OFFICER

There is the opportunity within the play for a Chorus to be present representing people, feelings, events and objects.

Exploring the Text: the play provides opportunities for discussion around the subject matter, text, style of playwrighting and performance style.

Thinking Contextually:
Physicalisatoin and the use of music: the play gives opportunities to physicalise the script and use music to reflect emotion.
Monologues: a variety of narration, naturalistic dialogue, duologues and use of chorus provide various performance styles for all actors.

Design: the play requires a minimal, multi-location set.

Additional Learning Resources for Teachers:

• DVD – A production of Chequered Flags to Chequered Futures by Victoria Shanghai Academy and a Q&A with playwright, as well as a production of Mark Wheeller’s play Chicken! – £19.99
• YouTube – insight from playwright Mark Wheeller

‘Mark beautifully crafts and weaves the story of the three friends and
cleverly integrates some stunning monologues.
Tim Ford, Artistic Director Garrick Theatre, Litchfield

Opening sequence of production of Chequered Flags to Chequered Futures by Mark Wheeller, at Samuel Ward Academy:

https://youtu.be/1qc8HE0Y7RE?si=jc4s5cpFUBUHT1GB

Production photography from Samuel Ward Academy.

Production photography from original Hong Kong production at Victoria Shanghai Academy.