Eva Peron - monologue

Thanks, reviewers!
Anika got a standing ovation for her performance!

This is by my niece, Anika, age sixteen. She would love some feedback on it.

Anika says it's meant to be a non linear piece, based on Eva's life, non naturalistic using the dramatic conventions of silence pathos.

Prescribed Structure #8 – The life and times of Eva Peron Anika Bhatia

Performance style – non-naturalistic with conventions of stillness/silence and pathos

Dramatic elements – climax & conflict

Duration – 4-7 mins

1. Death bed (lying on block) – scarf as blanket

Time is my greatest enemy. There are many things that I have yet to accomplish but

my weak body has defeated me. What did I do to deserve this? (She looks up) Why

did I get cursed with cancer?

All I did was love the people of Argentina and that, that is what I live for. I wanted to

prove to the military that I am willing and able to become vice president because of

my passion for the people. But what is the good of pure passion in a body that is

falling apart? My body has failed me and they cannot see my strength anymore. But I

am still fighting and this curse will never take away my spirit to fight for my

descamisados, for the happiness of one descamisado is worth more than my entire

life. If I could have just one last wish I would desire more time to be able to continue

to lead my people to glory. I want nothing for myself... My glory is and always will

be... the banner of my people, and even if I leave shreds of my life on the wayside, I

know that you will gather them up in my name and carry them like a flag to victory. I

know that you will never forget me, Argentina. ?My love... my passion... my life?

2. Transition to mourner on block – scarf around head

Hail, oh queen, mother of mercy

Our life, sweetness, and hope

Hail, hail, oh queen

To you we cry, exiled sons of Eve

To you we sigh, mourning and weeping

Oh clement, oh loving one

3. Speech – sitting on block - scarf around neck in power

I am one of you, I know what its like to go hungry. In my village, my family was very

poor and we were growing up in poverty but I had to rise above it all. It is because of

working hard to fight for equality that you realise that we women have more strength

than we appear to have. I demanded more rights for us women because I know what

we had to put up with. My mother was mistreated when she was younger, abused by

the men in our village. I do not want anyone to suffer like she did. I am myself, a

simple woman serving to defend you, my Argentina.

4. Angry with Military – climax standing on block – around neck but untied

~look at members

I am not working for fame and the position; I am here to defend my people. I don’t

care if the military doesn’t believe me. My descamisados love me and respect me for

all I do for Argentina. It is my goal to achieve justice and liberty, found by our


General Peron. It would be an honour to take the position of Vice President but all I

aspire is love and happiness of the Argentinian people.

Yes I deserve this, signor. I deserve it for one thing alone, which is worth more than

all the gold in the world: I deserve it for all I've done for the love of these people. I'm

not important because of what I've done; I'm not important because of what I've

renounced; I'm not important because of what I am or have. I have only one thing that

matters, and I have it in my heart. It sets my soul aflame, it wounds my flesh and

burns in my ligaments: it’s the love for my people.

Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you.

But all you have to do is look at me to know

That every word is true

4. SFC cheering of Evita, Evita, Evita

Movement – decline – do a movement piece with scarf ending with it on the floor

5. Radio Announcement death

Or Recorded speech (might cut out)

“My descamisados: I wanted to tell you many things but the doctors have forbidden

me from speaking. I have you in my hearts and tell you that it is certain my wish is

that I will soon be back in the struggle, with more strength and love, to fight for this

people which I love so much, as I love Perón. And I ask you just one thing: it’s

certain I will soon be with you, but if for health reasons I am not, take care of the

general. Remain faithful to Perón as you've been until today, because this means

being loyal to the Fatherland and loyal to yourselves. And to all the descamisados of

the interior, I hold them closely, so very closely to my heart, and want them to know

how much I love them.”

7. Song - Don’t Cry for Me Argentina from Eva’s final broadcast

I want to tell the people of Argentina

I've decided I should decline

All the honors and titles you've pressed me to take

For I'm contented

Let me simply go on as the woman who brings her people

To the heart of Peron

Don't cry for me Argentina

The truth is I shall not leave you

Though it may get harder for you to see me

I'm Argentina, and always will be