Powerplay

Because life is just what you do between hockey games.

As we hurtle towards another NHL Lockout you may need to look for other ways to live your life in between hockey games.  Written in 2004 during the last NHL lockout, Powerplay explores the importance of ‘the rules’ of life through three sets of relationships – and of course there’s a referee to keep them in check.  It’s fast and furious and it’s everything a hockey fan could wish for if you can’t have the REAL THING.

If the Lockout goes ahead the publisher will waive all performing rights fees and encourages you to put on the play at a theater and or ice-rink near you.

From the play:
PERIOD ONE ‘You were born to be hockey players. This is your moment.’
JAMIE: Man, it's just hockey.
TOM: Just hockey. And life's just breathing. Hockey isn't just a game Jamie, it's a complex set of rituals. Tactics and rituals. Like life. It's how you live your life.

PERIOD TWO  ‘Sometimes you have to sacrifice your body for the team.’
TYLER: Come on Marty. It's just life, like you said. And life's not hockey is it. Like you said - life's the place we spend time between games.
MARTY: You're damned right life's not hockey. Life keeps moving the goalposts. And trading players mid match.
TYLER: Ah, maybe you never really know who's on your team in life, that's the point.

PERIOD THREE ‘Life is just the place we spend time between games.’

KELLY: Listen honey. You gotta know one thing. You gotta play with everything you got. I was you. Ten years ago. Bought into it all. He (points to Marty) He was just like him (points to Tom) Cuter maybe. Maybe a bit more focussed.. but..

JAMIE: So what happened?
KELLY: The game happened. (pause) Life. (pause) Winners and losers. And don't let anyone tell you that marriage puts you on the same team. It sure don't. Marriage is the mother of all powerplays. Get me?
JAMIE: So.. why..?
KELLY: We get older and we don't get wiser, we just get bored and we get meaner.. and we learn how to play dirty. But we learn to win. One way or another.Because life is just what you do between hockey games.