kimberley lynne.

The Docents

When Japan invaded China in 1939, the Chinese packed the contents of the Beijing museum into peasant carts and disguised citizens as refugees who rolled the treasure in front of the battle and protected China's art history from the marauding invaders.

In the beginning of The Docents, two volunteers, a woman and a boy, have become separated from their platoon of carts. Alone, pulling their prized cargo only a few miles from enemy lines and surrounded by war, the two encounter an AWOL soldier, a thief, who slowly determines that they are carrying precious artwork wrapped only in burlap.

Metaphoric for the sacrifice modern artists make by continuing to create art in a monetary and militaristic society, The Docents praises the efforts of those who return the precious gift of art to their community.

Set: Empty stage with a peasant cart

Running time: an hour ten

Production History: The Docents was produced at Mobtown Players, July 2010

Characters:

• Woman, in her 40s, factory worker, wanted to be a teacher
• Boy, teenager, son of a blacksmith
• Soldier, mid 20s, thief, AWOL