“A Canvas Of Lies”
Written by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2004-2018
Synopsis: The devil is a master painter, and his paintings are beautiful, displaying scenes of sinful situations. He paints a pretty picture of sin that leaves out the consequences. He is being interviewed about the art in his exhibition and comments on the various paintings, each named for a particular sin. As the newscaster questions the deceptive artist, the dark secret behind his attractive paintings begins to emerge.
Length of play: 12-15 minutes.
Number of cast: Five; three main parts, two minor, plus any extras you can muster.
Category: Comedic, Modern-day Parable, Medium-Length Skit, Fall Festival
Price of script PDF & Skit Trax MP3: Instant download ONLY: $12.99 Add to Cart
Price of script PDF and Physical CD: (Not available; there are not enough audio tracks to warrant a physical CD.)
Soundtrack key: This is the type of script where your actors deliver their lines and the soundtrack supplies the background music and sound effects as the script calls for them.
Setting: an art show. However, the pictures are imaginary, with the viewers on stage facing the audience and looking at the “paintings” slightly above the audience’s heads.
Characters: B.L. Zeebub, the artist. Pamela Parfay, the TV reporter. Chuck Wagon, her cameraman. The Man that buys a painting. The Teen that comes in at the end. Several extras that are browsing among the paintings displayed.
Props: a video camera, a microphone and cable. Fake money. A folding chair. If you have them, a rope and several stanchions that keep the viewers a short distance from the paintings, like in a bank or museum. The cast stands behind the rope when viewing the paintings.
YOU MAY ORDER THE SCRIPT AND SOUNDTRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
(A general description of the script; not all details or scenes are here, but it gives you an overall picture of what it is like.)
Mr. Zeebub enters the stage area from one side, goes over to the other and opens a door for the museum patrons to enter. He greets them to his exhibition all flamboyantly, all smiles and charm as they begin to mill around looking at the paintings. Also entering are the two TV station employees, the reporter Pamela Parfay and her cameraman Chuck. Zeebub greets them with open arms, and after some amiable conversation, they are ready to broadcast live. Pam introduces Zeebub as a prominent and famous painter, and informs the viewers of the exhibition taking place. She then moves to the first painting, and asks the artist to talk about it. Each of the paintings portrays a different form of obsession or addiction, with the emphasis on the attractiveness of enjoying it. Since the perspective on the subject depends on the individual, he explains, one can appreciate the beauty of what others call “sin.” The first painting depicts “Greed,” and glorifies the pursuit and desire for unlimited wealth and material things. Some choice words are given as Zeebub details what it means and what it costs. The next is titled “Gluttony,” and is composed entirely of oils and pureed food instead of paint. The danger of this one is glossed over as the artist makes the results look desirable.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: a_canvas_of_lies_sample_01
The third painting catches the attention of the camera man, as several other males in the crowd also gather to gape at the female form it depicts. Zeebub explains that this is a favorite of many of his fans and followers, as it depicts “Lust.” Although couched in glowing terms, the viewers can still understand, as he talks, that there is a veiled danger in the images that only the wise will see. Wrapping up the interview, Pam recaps the details of the event, and Zeebub makes a personal invitation to the viewers to come to the exhibition. After Chuck gives them the “okay” sign, signaling that they are off the air, a customer hurries in, having seen the broadcast. He is wanting to purchase the “Greed” painting to hang in his loan office to encourage people to take out bigger loans to afford all they desire. As he gladly pays (and it is insinuated he will soon pay much more) and takes down the painting to leave with it, Pam spots something on the back of the canvas and screams, startling everyone!
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: a_canvas_of_lies_sample_02
Alarmed, Chuck helps Pam to a chair as she is shaking with fright. Casually, Zeebub inquires as to what might be troubling her. She gasps out that she saw something horrible on the back of the framed painting that was being moved…. a horrifying image of suffering and torture. Laughing if off, Zeebub explains that what she was was merely the other side of sin that is hidden, until it is too late. All sin comes with its own punishment and condemnation, but he presents only the attractive side, in order to get people to buy into it.
Realizing that she has been helping publicize the artist’s subversive work, unwittingly assisting him in deceiving the public into believing his lies, Pam gets angry and tells him that she regrets it. Chuck chimes in on the morality of it also, referring to the fact that his father was a minister, which sets off a threatening anti-Christian tirade from Zeebub. His real intentions are made known, and his cover blown. However, they are off the air already, so it doesn’t matter. Pam promises to do what she can to reveal the truth, which caused Zeebub to attempt to smooth things over with an offer for them to attend the grand opening party that night. They turn him down with some choice words, and leave. As they do, a teen fan approaches Zeebub, interested in the painting called “revenge,” which she thinks is “sweet.” He invites her to come with him to see more, assuring her that when she does, she will “just DIE!”
Read some of the testimonials about the script from just a few of the many users:
Dear Frederick,
I love your script, “A Canvas of Lies”! We will be using it in our church next week. I think it is just what we need to aid in our lesson plan about sin. Thank you for your hard work. I know God has already blessed you and I pray that he continues to inspire your creativity in ways you haven’t even imagined.
Thank you again,
-Teresa Ellis
Okay, if you liked the story breakdown, and enjoyed the Skit Trax previews, and were encouraged by the testimonials of those that have done it, buy the complete script and soundtrack here!
Get the script PDF (to print out) and audio tracks (to burn to your own CD) here.
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