Tania Wisbar

The Birthday Present 2050 Tania Wisbar

THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT 2050 is a dystopian drama. While there are in the dystopian/sci-fi genre fine books and movies there are few plays to either be read or performed. THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT 2050 takes place in a totalitarian system of government in which only people and things considered "productive" are assured existence. Among the non-productive are pets, flowers and any person over the age of 65. After a parent reaches that age, it is up to the next generation, the sons and daughters, to choose on each subsequent birthday between extending the life of the ageing parent or accumulating more comfort for themselves. In the world of 2050, there is no hunger, no homelessness, no crime except for one: the crime of holding memories of the past before all freedom of choice of how, whom and when to love was forbidden. The crime of memory is fatal. THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT 2050 is a one act, 3 scene play. Teresa Hallick is going to her 72nd birthday party to learn if her four daughters have given her the gift of life for another year -or not. Teresa is the oldest member of this society; the last holder of memories "from then", as such the government fears her. It is wildely known and whispered about that Teresa was a rebel when the new government came into power. Being alive she still poses a threat. The government security forces observe the four daughters quarrel about extending their mother's life or not. But it is Teresa's 15 year old granddaughter, Trinka, allowed home from a gated school for this one birthday night of decision who provides the unexpected answer.