What's my motivation?

My friend asked me to play a bit part in his one-act play that shows this weekend, so I learned my line and blocking last Friday and was ready to deliver when the weekend should come. But with one phone call, my one-line extra part turned into one of the principle roles and now I have 4 days to learn it all. Of course, I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't feel up for it and if I am really excited by the chance to get back into acting. It is fortunate that I essentially play myself: the character (Galindo) is a thoughtful academic who loves telling stories and providing philosophical comfort when his companions are anxious. Also nice is the fact that Galindo has a bum leg, so most of the blocking consists of me sitting on a bunk in the jail cell that is the scene for five out of six acts.

The play is called The Last Week of the Torero, is based on a short story by the same name (written by the same friend) and takes place in 1930s Spain, just as Franco is coming to power. We five have all been thrown into a jail cell and as the play goes on, we learn about each other and the "crimes" of which we have been accused. Let me try to write a more in-depth synopsis some other time; I really need to make the most of my minutes this week and that means that I have to get back to MIRL work now.

Show times are 10:30p on Friday and Saturday, 9:30p on Sunday at the Players' Ring in Portsmouth.