ONCE THERE WERE STORIES
In this family drama, Christmases of long ago, ones of togetherness, family entertainments, and memorable stories, as told by Grandpa Lynn, now living in his daughter, Rhiannon Nolan's, spare room, now contrast with those of the Nolan family with its packaged television and sports, relatives' distancing, and multitude of electronic distractions.
Once There Were Stories compares a Christmas of long ago: a time of togetherness and storytelling, with that of today, a time of separateness , packaged television “stories,” and fabricated tales.
The comparison is presented through a series of flashbacks comparing the current to the past.
1. PRESENT. NOLAN family: Robert, Rhiannon, and their children: Anna and Michael. Packed Christmas shopping with emphasis on selling. Canned music, crowds, videogames, etc. 2. Mention of Robert’s brothers: Graham (wife, Lisa, and son, Peter), and Peter, recently divorced. 3. Contrast. Quiet neighbourhood. Granddad Lynn, Rhiannon’s father, sits alone in house. 4. PAST. Young Lynn with his sister, Yvonne. Simpler life. 5. Granddad recalls comic scenes with father, Douglas and mother, Hilda. 6. PRESENT. Return of Nolans to house. 7. Past. Granddad tells comic story of how he and his friends got money for Christmas presents: carol-singing. 8. PRESENT. Blare of television from other room interrupts. Packaged Christmas. 9. PAST. Return to comic story of young Lynn and friend carol-singing. 10. PRESENT. Family prepares Christmas meal. Suggestion by Robert that Granddad’s stories are made up. 11. Rhiannon invites her father to tell story of how he managed to sleep on Christmas Eve. Counting seconds. Interrupted by story of ROSE and NOEL. 12. Back to Granddad’s room. Michael must check with friends on Facebook and Instagram. 13. PAST. Story of Rose and Noel. Twp couple standing in cold with naked son, LITTLE NOEL. 14. BOBBY LLOYD interrupts to rescue Little Noel. Police called. 15. PRESENT. Michael and Anna ask father if cousin, Peter, will be coming with his parents. Obvious dislike. Christmas Eve. 16. PRESENT. Christmas Day. Granddad wakes to sound of violence of videogames. 17. Mention of Grandma Sarah, Robert’s mother, being in assisted living. 18. Granddad talks of visit to UNCLE THOMAS and AUNTIE PHYLLIS (deaf). Black sheep of family. 19. PAST. Granddad, alone, recalls visit to Thomas and Phyllis. It is here that Lynn first hears that this will be GRANDMA ELLIOTT’s last Christmas. Douglas’ mother. She’s dying. 20. PRESENT. Michael and Anna have visited their Grandma Sarah in Assisted Living. Bored. Ask Granddad Lynn to tell a funny story. 21. PAST. Visit to 284 Cowbridge Road, home of Elliott family, including Grandma Elliott. Interruption. 22. PRESENT. Entry of GRAHAM NOLAN, wife LISA, and obnoxious son, PETER FRANCIS. Decision. Which Christmas show to watch on DVD. 23. Peter brags about present he got from his mother’s new boyfriend. Gets what he likes. 24. Peter makes fun of Michael and Anna’s presents. 25. Granddad Lynn returns to spare room with Anna. 26. PAST. Granddad begins telling of the various comic performances at the Elliott gathering. 27. PRESENT. Michael and Peter sent to the store. Concern Peter will buy cigarettes or beer. 28. PAST. More comic remembrances. 29. PRESENT. Peter objects to Michael and Anna listening to stupid stories. Makes ugly references to school “friends.” 30. Frustrated that Rhiannon and her father are singing in the spare room. 31. PAST. Time for Lynn to perform as Ethel Merman. Hilarious! Ends with him begging his grandmother not to die. 32. PRESENT. Peter says video cameras are to record past. Granddad Lynn disagrees. It’s stories. 33. PAST. Final act. AUNTIE BESS performs dance of “undying” swan! 34. PRESENT. All leave Granddad Lynn alone. 35. PAST. Elliott family slowly leave the room. As they do so, they beckon to Granddad Lynn. Song. 36. PRESENT. Granddad Lynn’s chair rocks slower and slower. 37. FADE OUT.
Michael Sheen
Ioan Gruffudd
I love to explore and write, in serious and comic forms, stories of those who, through choice or happenstance, find themselves strangers in a strange land (or even in their own land).
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