The Plays of Steve Duprey
Gathers No Moss
(3 men, 2 women, unit set)
This is the story of as artist. Homeless, alcoholic, generally dirty in appearance but covered by the fact that he is full of paint most of the time. He rides a bike through the country…town to town…in order to make a living. theres a woman in town who is absolutely smitten with the idea of being in love with an artist. She wants him to stay. She wants to take care of him. But his own mental illness gets in the way of separating love from charity. Based on a true story from the small tourist town of Elora, Ontario, Canada, GATHERS NO MOSS explores the desperation in Molly and the restlessness in Joseph, culminating in a tragedy.
CHARACTERS
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JOSEPH DUGAS (48) – The Artist. Homeless, alcoholic, generally dirty in appearance but it’s covered by the fact that he is full of paint most of the time. He rides a bike through the country…town to town…in order to make a living. He’ll stay somewhere as long as he can sell, then he moves on. He’s not looking for a handout, or really even any help. It’s not his homelessness that we pity, it’s his alcoholism and his inability to forge a relationship that is stable. We want him to succeed…to be recognized as the artist that he is. And he’s good! He mostly paints house or building portraits that have meaning to his clients. It’s why they buy. It should not seem as if they buy because they feel sorry for him, although they will occasionally pay over the asking price as a sign of support for him and his struggles. He accepts that type of charity.
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MOLLY HOBBS (40) – A local in Elora, Ontario. She is Joseph’s “girlfriend” in town. She’s younger than Joseph but absolutely smitten with the idea of being in love with an artist. She wants him to stay. She wants to take care of him. But his own mental illness gets in the way of separating love from charity. She is not his only “girlfriend”. There are others in other towns. But Molly is the only one who can’t quite grasp the idea of “the occasional lover.” She wants more. He can’t give it.
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MICHEL LEBLANC (55) – A local artist and friend of Joseph’s. They’ve met several times during Joseph’s visits to Elora. He will occasionally buy Joseph a meal at a local restaurant and buy one of his paintings. He understands Joseph more than most and doesn’t pressure him to change his ways.
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MARY DUPUIS (69) – A motherly type and someone who sees Joseph as a “project.” She wants to rehabilitate him…get him to settle down. She is the matchmaker in town and sees Molly as the perfect match for him. While older, she is spunky and speaks her mind.
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RÈNE WORTHINGTON (55 - 75) – One of the many shop owners in Elora. Strapped by the times and yet always enamored of JOSEPH’S style of painting. A gruff exterior with a heart of gold.