Let the Right One In (stage version) (NHB Modern Plays)

By Jack Thorne

A dark and visceral coming-of-age vampire love story, based on the acclaimed novel and film.
Oskar is a bullied, lonely, teenage boy living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town, when a spate of sinister killings rocks the neighbourhood.
Eli is the young girl who has just moved in next door. She doesn't go to school and never leaves the flat by day. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn't know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time'
Jack Thorne's adaptation of Let The Right One In premiered in June 2013 at the Dundee Rep Theatre in a production by the National Theatre of Scotland, before transferring to London's Royal Court Theatre in November 2013.
'moving and haunting... a rich and beautiful theatrical experience that is by turns gripping and tender' Herald
'a chilling and moving piece of theatre, full of pain, terror and unexpected moments of comedy' Scotsman
'beguiling... polished and poetic' Guardian

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Dec 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781780012995

Book preview

cover-images

LET THE

RIGHT ONE IN

By

John Ajvide Lindqvist

Adapted for the stage by

Jack Thorne

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Original Production

Characters

Let the Right One In

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Let the Right One In was first performed in this revival at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, London, on 29 November 2013. The cast was as follows:

Let the Right One In was commissioned by the National Theatre of Scotland and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd and first produced by the National Theatre of Scotland by arrangement with Marla Rubin Productions Ltd and Bill Kenwright, in association with Dundee Rep Theatre, at Dundee Rep Theatre on Wednesday 5 June 2013.

Characters

OSKAR

JONNY

MICKE

HAKAN

TORKEL

KURT

MUM

ELI

HALMBERG

JOCKE

MR AVILA

NILS

DAD

JANNE

JIMMY

STEFAN

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

ACT ONE

Scene One

A man walks through the woods along a distinct path. He is TORKEL. He’s drunk but concentrating very hard on seeming sober.

HAKAN emerges from the woodland in the opposite direction. He stands looking at the man. HAKAN is wearing a rucksack and in his hands he carries a gas cylinder. He thinks and then withdraws from the light again.

As TORKEL walks past so HAKAN steps out in front of him. TORKEL looks at HAKAN, who looks back with a steady intensity.

TORKEL. Hiya… can I help…

HAKAN says nothing.

Do you want something?

HAKAN. The time.

TORKEL. Sure thing. The time is…

He checks his watch. HAKAN grabs the back of his head, twists him and holds a gas mask to his face. TORKEL’s legs buckle beneath him. He slumps, unconscious.

And then HAKAN takes his rucksack off and begins tying TORKEL’s legs.

Scene Two

A boy, OSKAR, runs into a locker room. He is in a PE vest, shorts and some daps. He opens his locker, grabs his school uniform inside and tries to get clothed as quickly as possible.

JONNY. Pig-gy?

OSKAR’s face crinkles. His feet move up and down slightly. He’s scared.

MICKE. Hey, Piggy, are you in there?

There is a pause.

Piggy, we know you’re in there…

OSKAR looks around for means of escape – there are none – he opens the locker again. He climbs inside.

Suddenly two dark figures crawl over the top of the lockers and look down on OSKAR. They are MICKE and JONNY. If not older than OSKAR, then certainly bigger and stronger.

JONNY. Little Pig, if you don’t come out now, we have to get you out of school? Is that what you want… Is that what you want, Little Pig?

MICKE. Don’t make us hunt you, Little Pig…

JONNY. Don’t make us blood you…

They jump down.

MICKE. Pig-gy…

They open one locker.

JONNY. Pig-gy…

They open another locker.

BOTH. Pig-gy…

They open OSKAR’s locker.

JONNY. Squeal like a pig, bitch.

MICKE. Squeal like a pig, bitch.

OSKAR squeals like a pig.

The three boys wait and listen. Listen for if anyone’s coming.

JONNY. No one’s coming, bitch. Get ready to be baptised, bitch.

The two boys make to pull OSKAR out, and the light goes out.

Scene Three

We’re in a sweet shop. Bright, colourful, strip-lit, and with strange piped-in music.

OSKAR stands looking at row upon row of sweets. He is in school uniform but his collar and jacket have been ruffled up.

He has a look on his face of quiet contemplation. He picks up a chocolate bar, kneels to do up his shoelaces and slips it into his sock. He then stands and looks back into the sweets.

KURT. Are you buying or are