After 40 Days: Director’s Notes

A small narration takes place at the beginning of the play. Jesus is sitting down UP CENTRE with his knees raised and his arm resting on them. He is facing towards the right. The Devil is pacing around Jesus throughout the narration. When the Devil starts his dialogue, he remains standing but leans very close towards Jesus’ face. He gets more and more agitated as Jesus resists his offers.

A bean bag is positioned opposite Jesus in the CENTRE, which the Devil sits down on after he says, “You could have a feast.” Hidden at the side of the bean bag are two bowls which he produces when offering the herbs, mixed fruit and spice.

When Jesus says, ‘I will not be tempted by this stone. Man shall not live by bread alone.’, he grabs two stones that are still in the Devil’s hand and throws them to the ground.

There’s another bowl which contains the nuts. When he says, “Nuts!”, the Devil tosses a couple walnuts at Jesus who doesn’t catch them. Throughout the dialogue, Jesus is calm but speaks with authority.

After the Devil stops laughing, he turns around and walks off stage laughing. Just before he leaves, he turns around to face the audience once more and points randomly to someone in the audience then disappears off stage. The Narrator comes onto the stage from the opposite side and stands DOWN CENTRE facing the audience.

The Devil comes back briefly by popping his head around the corner onto the stage as if he has overheard someone talking about him. He is not happy that the Narrator is talking about him. He then disappears completely but in a manner of fear as if he must run because somebody is after him. The lights fade after the Narrator has finished.