Two Martyr Plays

By Grace Andreacchi

The exquisite workmanship and extraordinary imagination of author Grace Andreacchi are resoundingly showcased in these plays. Andreacchi unites the traditions of the Medieval mystery play, the beautiful form and style of classical drama (particularly in her use of the chorus), and the stories of these beloved saints. These two plays can be performed separately as one-act dramas, or together for a longer programme. Both are suitable for all audiences. AGNES: A twelve-year-old girl is ordered to marry a young man of her family's choosing. But Agnes has other ideas - she is already secretly betrothed to the lover she prefers, and she's willing to die for him. LAWRENCE: Christians are being hunted down and killed by the Roman authorities. The Bishop of Rome is arrested, but not before he has time to entrust the entire church treasury to a young, untried deacon. When the Emperor orders him to hand it over on pain of death, what will he do? An Andromache Books title.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 17, 2025
• ISBN: 9781326376659

Grace Andreacchi

Grace Andreacchi was born and raised in New York City but has lived on the far side of the great ocean for many years—sometimes in Paris, sometimes Berlin, and nowadays in London. Works include the novels Scarabocchio and Poetry and Fear (Andromache Books), Give my Heart Ease, which received the New American Writing Award, and Music for Glass Orchestra. Stories and poetry appear in both online and print journals. Her work can be viewed at graceandreacchi.com. 

Book preview

Copyright Information

Copyright © 2025 by Grace Andreacchi .

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-1-326-37665-9

Published by Andromache Books, London

The right of Grace Andreacchi to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This is a work of fiction. Any similarity of persons, places or events depicted herein to actual persons, places or events is purely coincidental.

These plays first appeared in Dappled Things.

Cover image: Fra Angelico, Coronation of the Virgin (detail)

TWO MARTYR PLAYS

GRACE ANDREACCHI

butterfly.jpg

Andromache Books

PREFACE

These plays are closely based on real events that happened to real people. Agnes was a twelve-year-old girl who died for the love of Christ. Lawrence was a young man who defied an Emperor and bore witness in his flesh to the strength of his faith. May their examples serve to inspire us all with a deeper faith and boundless love for Him who loved us first, and gave his own life for us on the Cross.

Grace Andreacchi London, 2009

Table of Contents

Copyright Information

PREFACE

AGNES

LAWRENCE

About the Author

AGNES

CAST OF CHARACTERS

speaking parts:

ANGEL, wears an angel mask and sword AGNES

PREFECT

EMERENTIANA, younger sister to Agnes, about ten years old

CHORUS, of at least two non-speaking parts:

GUARD

YOUNG MAN IN BROTHEL

EXECUTIONER, wears a black mask and sword MOTHER to Agnes

PROLOGUE

[The ANGEL appears alone on a dark stage, in a circle of light. His face is covered by an iconic ‘angel’ mask. His appearance should be simple. masculine, somewhat military, like that of the angels in Byzantine paintings. He wears a sword at his side.]

ANGEL:      Night, and the ancient city slumbers

Troubled sleep, evil dreams. Things unholy stink in the sewers, swarm in the shadows,

huddle in dark corners and under beds.

A city white and gold, slashed with crimson A city steeped in the blood of children, sated with cruelty, Rome sleeps.

Soon to wake, ravenous

O, soon to wake, roaring for human blood

in the hot bazaars where everything is for sale even the soul of a child.

Agnes too is sleeping

A hard-headed, thin-skinned, ignorant child of thirteen.

The spangled web of childhood has been torn The shadows of life lie all ahead -

The world stands still at noonday, Bakes in the sun of bright hope. Eager, panting,

thirsting after the sweet waters of life -

She has not yet learned to be afraid of anything! Thus Agnes.

She wears the white dress of virgin girlhood and