Most of you are alert readers; therefore, most of you know about the film A Bunch of Amateurs (for which, q.v.). But you may not know that a script was produced after the film—and that it's not the shooting script for the play or a screenplay or a novelization. Rather, it's a play in its own right. It covers the plot of the play and uses its characters and some of its dialogue, but it's a play designed for (perhaps amateur, perhaps not) performance.
Although you are an alert reader, the details of the plot may have escaped your memory for a bit. Jefferson Steel, an aging action / adventure actor, is convinced to go to England to perform the part of King Lear in Stratford. But he's not told that the Stratford he's going to isn't -upon-Avon. It's actually Stratford St. John. And the company isn't the RSC. It's a group (or bunch, if you prefer) of amateur actors.
The play spends a lot of good time developing the relationship between Jefferson Steele and his daughter Jessica, a relationship that mirrors those of King Lear and his daughters. Indeed, the film rather economically conflates all three of Lear’s daughters into the character Jessica.
Here's a quick sample of that. We're not too far in, but far enough that Jefferson has determined to give Lear a try. His daughter (who dislikes and mistrusts him) has reluctantly agreed to read lines with him—and perhaps take on the role of Cordelia:
I'm including this scene from later in the play mainly because of the beautiful exchange between Jefferson and the paparazzi:
Timed properly, that "Give us a more interesting quote" could bring down the house.
The play, even apart from the film, is quite good. And, like I Hate Hamlet (for which, q.v.), I'd love to see a production of it. Let me know when you're staging it—I'll try my best to be there!
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