Woyzeck or

Woyzeck Re-imagined

__________________________

A One Act Play

By

Kyle Gregory
THE PRE-SHOW

The curtain is closed. Carnival music plays as

THE CARNIVAL BARKER, pokes their head
out of the curtain. They examine the audience
quite serious before making their grand
entrance. Once entered, they continue to
examine the audience with serious intent, but
then come to a stand still and smile. An eerie
smile indicating what’s to come.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Welcome everyone... to our greatest show yet. Our show of all shows. A captivating and
tour de force kind of show. Except for this show, we will not entertain with acts of
juggling, acrobats or freaks. No, tonight I have the honor to give you a glimpse into the
spectacle of all spectacles. The frailty of human nature. The descent of the human mind.
Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Everything you’re set to witness, everything
we present to you, is all a part of the performance. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our biggest
one yet, our ultimate showcase, our greatest piece yet... WOYZECK, Re-imagined.

The Carnival barker drops their smile. They

glance towards the booth and snap their fingers.
A sign pops out from center. The Barker grabs
the sign and holds it up. It reads, “SCENE
ONE.” As the Carnival Barker presents the sign
the curtains open revealing a CIRCUS TENT.
Underneath the tent are a few trees or swamp-
like set pieces to indicate where we are. A light
fog blankets the stage. The Carnival barker turns
and exits.

SCENE ONE

Soldiers slowly enter from all possible

entrances. The battle must feel large and all
consuming. Some soldiers chop down branches.
All on high alert. Amongst these soldiers is
WOYZECK, CAPTAIN and ANDRES.

CAPTAIN
Everyone keep your heads down. They might be closing in.
 2.

ANDRES
As soon as the sun sets and I’m home free, the first thing I’m doing is dipping these feet
of mine in the river.

CAPTAIN
Silence those thoughts, Private. They’ll hear us.

A couple shots fire off. Everyone drops. They

rise again and continue on. Once everyone is on
stage, a barrage of bullets fire off, taking out a
soldier each time. Reality slows down and
everything moves in slow motion until Woyzeck
drops down. He grabs Andres arm to pull him
down but Andres is shot as it happens. Andres
falls.

WOYZECK
(quietly)
Andres? Andres? Andres!

Woyzeck cradles Andres in his arms. Immense

sadness sweeps through him as he holds his dear
friends lifeless body. Eventually Woyzeck rises.
He glances around at the dead bodies
surrounding him. He crosses down stage to a
RIVER and sits down. He stares at his reflection
then gazes up at the world around him.
Moments later, Andres rises, ghost-like. He
turns his attention towards Woyzeck. The other
soldiers rise and slowly exit as Andres sits next
to Woyzeck. He removes his boots and socks
and puts his feet in the river.

ANDRES
(Singing)
I saw two big rabbits, chewing up the green green grass.

Woyzeck notices Andres and doesn’t know

what to say or do.

ANDRES
(Singing)
Chewing up the green, green grass. Till it was all gone.
 3.

Something moves behind them.

WOYZECK
Shh! Something’s moving. You hear that, Andres? Something’s moving behind me,
under me. It’s all hollow down there.

ANDRES
I’m scared.

WOYZECK
It’s so strangely quiet. You feel like holding your breath.

ANDRES
What?

Drums begin.

WOYZECK
Andres, look how bright it is. There’s a fire raging around the sky and a noise is coming
down like trumpets. Let’s go. We have to get out of here.

Woyzeck rises then stares off in the distance as

the drums crescendo before falling silent.

ANDRES
Do you still hear it?

WOYZECK
It’s quiet now. It’s all quiet, like the world was dead.

The drums pick up again.

ANDRES
Listen, Woyzeck. They’re drumming. You’ve got to get back.

WOYZECK
What about you Andres? Where will you go?

ANDRES
No need to move from here. My feet are finally in the water, Woyzeck. My feet are
finally in the water.
 4.

The drumming picks up more. Woyzeck gathers

his belongings and rises. Woyzeck wants to say
more to Andres but doesn’t. He exits.

SCENE TWO

The Carnival Barker walks across stage

presenting a sign that reads SCENE TWO. They
exit as MARIE, holding a child enters and
crosses to a window. Margret enters carrying a
bag of groceries. She stops in front of Marie’s
window and they both watch off towards the
drumming. Marie rocks the baby as THE
DRUM MAJOR enters followed by a small
military patrol.

MARIE
Hey, boy! Ta-ra-ra-ra! You hear it? They’re coming!

MARGRET
What a man, like a tree!

MARIE
He stands on his feet like a lion.

The Drum Major stops and tips his hat to greet

them then continues on and offstage towards the
audience.

MARGRET
Say, what a friendly look you gave him neighbor. We’re not used to that from you.

MARIE
(Sings)
A soldier is a handsome fellow.

MARGRET
Your eyes are still shining.

MARIE
So what? Why don’t you take your eyes to the cobbler and have them polished. Maybe
they’ll shine enough to sell as two buttons.
 5.

MARGRET
What? How dare you! I am a decent woman, but you, you can stare through seven pairs
of leather pants.

MARIE
You bitch! Come, my boy. And you, you’re only the poor child of a whore and you make
your mother happy with your bastard face.

She slams the window shut. Margret angrily

makes her way off stage. Marie crosses to a
small room in her house and sits on a chair and
gently sings to the baby. The Drum Major and
patrol cross paths with Woyzeck as he makes
his ways onto the stage and towards Marie’s
home. He stops at the door and listens.

MARIE
(Singing out loud)
Rockabye baby, my baby are you, nobody cares what I do.

Woyzeck knocks. Marie stops.

MARIE
Who’s that? Is that you, Franz?! Come on in!

WOYZECK
I can’t.

MARIE
Why? What’s the matter with you Franz?

WOYZECK
Marie. There was something out there again. Smoke. Smoke of a furnace. It followed me
until I reached town again.

MARIE
Franz...

WOYZECK
I’ve got to go. I’ve got to go.
 6.

MARIE
Go again. You’ve been back for months since the war and every time you come, you
leave just as fast.

WOYZECK
I can’t stay. I’ve got to go.

He exits.

MARIE
That man. He’s so upset. He didn’t even say hi to his own child. He’ll go crazy with
those thoughts of his. He’ll go absolutely-

The Carnival Barker enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Crazy. Absolutely crazy.

EVERYONE (O.S.)
Absolutely crazy from his thoughts.

Carnival music begins. The Carnival barker

flips over a sign that reads “SCENE THREE.”

SCENE THREE

The stage transforms into a live carnival.

Performers, lights, and all sorts of carnival
attractions fill the space.

WOYZECK
(Happily)
What a place, Marie. What a place.

MARIE
It’s nice to see you out and enjoying your time, Woyzeck.

An OLD MAN, clearly drunk walks by.

OLD MAN
Dancing child. How long we live, just time will tell, We all have got to die. We all have
got to die.
 7.

EVERYONE
(Whispering)
Die. Die. Die.

The old man continues on and stumbles off.

Time slows down. Woyzeck is close to entering
an episode but doesn’t. A long silence until...

MARIE
Franz? Franz? Are you in there?

WOYZECK
Yes... yes I’m here. I’m here Marie. Shall I carry you? Oh, what a beautiful world. What
a beautiful blessing it is to be alive, Marie!

He twirls her around. The Carnival Barker re-

enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Ladies. Gentleman. Step right up and enter our show of all shows. Come in and see what
the world has to offer. Dazzling feats. Creatures beyond comprehension and future-seers
who can tell you anything and everything you ever dreamed of knowing.

WOYZECK
Want to?

MARIE
All right. It ought to be good.

The Drum Major enters with SERGEANT as

Woyzeck and Marie are entering the show.

SERGEANT
Hold it. Look at her, over there. What a piece.

DRUM MAJOR
Damn. Good enough for the breeding of drum majors.

SERGEANT
Look how she holds her head. Her hair. And those black eyes.

DRUM MAJOR
It’s like looking down a well or a chimney. Come on, after her.
 8.

Marie and Woyzeck take their seats. Woyzeck

grabs her hand.

WOYZECK
What a night, Marie. What a great night.

The Sergeant and Drum Major sit in front of

Marie and Woyzeck but a few seats over. The
Drum Major glances back at Marie. They share
a moment. The Carnival Barker enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
See with your eyes. Watch our talents. For tonight, you are all in for a treat. Now, look
upon this magnificent creature.

A creature enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER (CONT’D)

A human beast. A transformed human... or a creature of the night. Observe his power of
reason. He can add, but he can’t count on his fingers. Why is that?

The Carnival Barker turns to the actual

audience.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Because he simply can’t express himself. He can’t explain himself. A tormented mind
that has everything bottled up but is unable to share what it all means. No one to talk to.
All alone with their thoughts.

The Carnival Barker turns back to the stage

audience.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Who among you, has a watch?

DRUM MAJOR
A watch!

The drum major pulls out a watch. Marie stares

at it.

MARIE
This I’ve got to see. I’ve got to get closer. Franz. I just got to get closer.
 9.

Marie crosses down. Drum Major assists her.

Franz watches on as the Drum Major and Marie
chat. His beautiful mood slowly disappears. He
exits the tents and crosses downstage as the
show continues. He stares off towards the sky.
Eventually everyone claps behind him.

CARNIVAL BARKER
And now, our closing show. Feast your eyes above. For the greatest display of fireworks
shall commence.

Fireworks sounds off. Lights distort. Woyzeck

covers his ears. The sound fades into gun shots.
Woyzeck glances out but behind him soldiers
enter and are shot down in slow motion. Andres
enters. Woyzeck stares at him.

ANDRES
We all have got to die, Woyzeck. We all have got to die.

EVERYONE
(Whispering)
We all have got to die. We all have got to die.

The fireworks end. Andres exits. We are back to

reality. Woyzeck glances back as The Drum
Major and Marie laugh together and exit. He
rises quickly and storms off. Everyone clears the
stage except for The Carnival Barker. They
cross to DSC.

CARNIVAL BARKER
(To Actual Audience)
Some of you might be wondering. Guessing. Trying to comprehend what or why. But in
our show of all shows, what may seem one way, may in fact... appear to be exactly how it
seems.

The Carnival Barker smiles again. That ever so

creepy smile. The Barker hums the Carnival
melody as they cross SL. A hand extends a sign
onto the stage. The Carnival Barker grabs it and
presents it. It reads “SCENE FOUR”
 10.

SCENE FOUR

Marie holds up a small mirror and admires

herself and her new earrings in it.

MARIE
These stones really sparkle! What kind are they? What did he say? It must be gold. The
likes of us only have a little corner in the world and a little piece of mirror-

Woyzeck enters and startles her. She covers her

ears immediately.

WOYZECK
What’s that you got there?

MARIE
Nothing.

WOYZECK
Somethings shining under your fingers.

MARIE
An earring. I found it at the Carnival.

WOYZECK
I’ve never found anything like that. Two at once as well?

MARIE
What am I... A whore?

A long silence.

WOYZECK
It’s all right Marie. I came to bring you more money. For the child. My pay and some
from my captain.

MARIE
Bless you, Franz.

Silence. He gently touches her cheek.

WOYZECK
I have to go to work. See you tonight Marie.
 11.

He exits.

MARIE
Ugh. What a bitch I am. I could stab myself. Oh, what a world! Everything goes to hell
anyway, man and woman alike.

The Carnival Barker enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Everything goes to hell anyway, man and woman alike. But one must ask themselves...
does everything actually go to hell, or do thoughts like hers, bring hell to us?

The Carnival Barker snaps. A few circus clowns

wheel out a chair with the Captain on it. One
carries a sign. The Carnival Barker pulls out a
shaving razor as Woyzeck enters. Woyzeck
grabs the razor as he crosses. The clown with
sign stands next to the Carnival Barker. They
watch Woyzeck with mild pity. The clown
hands the sign to the Barker and the Barker
presents it. “SCENE FIVE.”

SCENE FIVE

Woyzeck shaves the Captain throughout the

scene.

THE CAPTAIN
Take it easy, Woyzeck. One thing at a time. You’re going to finish early today at this rate
and what am I supposed to do with the extra ten minutes? Woyzeck just think, you’ve
still got a good thirty years to live. Thirty years! What are you going to do with that
ungodly amount of time? Get organized Woyzeck. Get organized.

WOYZECK
Yes, Cap’n.

THE CAPTAIN
I fear for the world when I think about eternity. You know what frightens me Woyzeck?
It frightens me to think the world rotates in one day. What a waste of time!

WOYZECK
I see Cap’n.
 12.

The Captain lowers Woyzeck’s hand.

THE CAPTAIN
Woyzeck. You always look so upset. A good man doesn’t act like that. A good man with
a good conscience... Say something, Woyzeck... anything... what’s the weather like even?

WOYZECK
It’s bad cap’n. A strong wind coming in.

THE CAPTAIN
I can feet it. I can feel there’s something out there. Coming from the south-north.

WOYZECK
Yes, Cap’n. South North.

The Captain laughs hysterically.

THE CAPTAIN
South-north. Oh, are you stupid, Woyzeck. Terribly stupid.

Woyzeck retreats.

THE CAPTAIN
I mean, you’re a good man... but.. But you got no morality. You have a child without the
blessing of the church.

WOYZECK
Cap’n, the good lord isn’t going to look at a poor little kid only because amen was said
over and over before it was created. The lord said, “Suffer little children to come unto
me.”

THE CAPTAIN
What’s that? What kind of crazy answer is that? When I say YOU- I mean, YOU.

WOYZECK
Us poor people. You see Cap’n, it’s money, money, money. If you don’t have money just
try to raise your own on morality in this world. The likes of us-

THE CAPTAIN
The likes of who?

WOYZECK
The poor. The likes of us poor are wretched in this world and the next.
 13.

A long silence.

THE CAPTAIN
Maybe it’s not morality, Woyzeck. Maybe it’s virtue. Maybe it’s both. I always ask
myself, are you a virtuous man? A good man? A good man, Woyzeck. A good man.

WOYZECK
Yes, Cap’n, Virtue. I haven’t figured it out yet. You see us common people, we don’t
have virtue. We act like nature tells us, but if i was a gentleman, and had a coat, a jacket
and a watch, and could talk refined, then I’d be virtuous too. Virtue must be nice cap’n,
but me, I’m just a poor guy.

Woyzeck continues shaving him.

THE CAPTAIN
That’s fine, Woyzeck. You’re a good man. A very good man. You think too much
though. And that’s unhealthy. Probably why you always look so upset. Always
overthinking.

WOYZECK
Actually Cap’n, it’s because-

Woyzeck accidentally cuts the Captain. The

Captain jumps up. There’s blood on Woyzeck’s
hands.

THE CAPTAIN
I changed my mind Woyzeck. This discussion and now this has already worn me out.
You can go now.

Woyzeck clearly needs someone to talk to but

it’s not going to be The Captain. Woyzeck exits.
He walks down a street and stops to examine the
forrest in the distance. He notices the blood on
his hands. He glances back up and as he does,
light’s shift. We’re back to the battle. Dead
bodies all around. Andres enters and lays in
Woyzeck’s arms.

WOYZECK
Andres? Andres? Andres!
 14.

Andres dies. Woyzeck rises and examines the

blood in his hands. He walks around and
examines the dead bodies around him.
Eventually he walks back to the same spot
where he noticed the blood on his hands. Light’s
shift back and we are back to reality. Woyzeck
shakes it off. He glances around, wishing there
was someone to talk too. There isn’t so he
rushes out. Offstage we hear The Carnival
Barker humming their tune before entering.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Sometimes, we just need someone to talk too.

Light’s shift. We transform into the Carnival

again. One addition is a spin wheel.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Step right up. Spin the wheel. Everyone’s a winner here. (To Audience) Or are they?

Two carnival guests step up to the wheel and

spin. The Barker pulls out a sign that reads,
“SCENE SIX.” They flip it over and it reads,
“THE AFFAIR.” The Carnival Barker watches
from the wheel.

SCENE SIX

Marie and the Drum Major dance on stage as we

transform into the Carnival again. Music plays
underneath. The Drum Major stops and stares at
Marie.

DRUM MAJOR
Marie.

Marie steps back.

MARIE
Go March up and down for me. A chest like a bull. Nobody else like you Major. No
woman is prouder than me.
 15.

DRUM MAJOR
What a woman!

They embrace to dance.

MARIE
What a man.

DRUM MAJOR
Is the devil in your eyes?

MARIE
What does it matter?

They dance around the stage than eventually

dance off. The Carnival Barker dances by
themselves holding a sign. It reads, “SCENE
SEVEN.” They Dance off.

SCENE SEVEN

Woyzeck enters as the Drum Major crosses by

him. The Drum Major tips his hat to Woyzeck.
Woyzeck watches him confused. He continues
on and eventually enters the Carnival. It’s eerily
quiet for a Carnival. Everyone watches them

MARIE
Franz!

Woyzeck examines her.

MARIE
Franz? Everything okay?

He examines her further.

WOYZECK
I should be able to see it. I should be able to grab it with my fists.

MARIE
What’s the matter, Franz? You’re out of your mind, Franz.
 16.

WOYZECK
A sin so fat and wide. It stinks enough to smoke the angels out of Heaven.

He touches her cheek.

WOYZECK
Goodbye, Marie. You’re as beautiful as sin. Can mortal sin be so beautiful?

MARIE
Franz, you’re delirious.

WOYZECK
Damn it, Marie. Was he standing here like this, like this?

MARIE
As the day is long and the world is old, lot of people stand on one spot, one after another.

WOYZECK
I saw him.

MARIE
You can see all sorts of things if you’ve got two eyes and the sun is shining.

WOYZECK
With my own eyes!

MARIE
So what!

Silence.

WOYZECK
Goodbye, Marie.

Circus music begins again.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Step right up. Spin the wheel. See a show. Feast your eyes on all we’ve got to offer. (To
Woyzeck) Spin the wheel, sir? Test your luck. Or turn your future around. You never
know what’s in store unless you give it a whirl.

Woyzeck spins the wheel. Everyone on stage

spins their heads in a circular motion until it
stops. The Barker looks at it, then back to
Woyzeck.
 17.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Maybe you should see a show. Or better yet. Maybe you should be a part of it.

The Carnival workers bring out a scrim and

prepare for a puppet show. Woyzeck watches
them set up. More carnival workers enter and
wheel out set pieces for THE DOCTOR’S
OFFICE in front of the puppet scrim. The
Doctor enters. Possibly a ventriloquist.
Woyzeck crosses to the examining table.
Puppets move behind them in a basic fashion.

DOCTOR
What’s this I saw, Woyzeck? A man of his word?

WOYZECK
What is it Doctor?

DOCTOR
I saw it Woyzeck. You pissed on the street. You pissed on the wall, like a dog. The
world’s getting bad, very bad. And you, getting only two cents a day. That’s bad
Woyzeck. Very bad.

WOYZECK
But the call of nature, Doctor.

DOCTOR
The call of nature! The call of nature! Woyzeck, man if free. In man alone individuality
exalted to freedom. Couldn’t hold it in. What is the power of will? What is the power of
freedom?

The Doctor crosses to his charts and reads them.

DOCTOR
Did you eat your peas, Woyzeck?

EVERYONE
Did you eat your peas?

DOCTOR
Because I’m revolutionizing science Woyzeck. I’m going to blow it all sky-high with my
work.

Woyzeck bounces.
 18.

DOCTOR
Do you have to piss again? If so, go in there and try.

WOYZECK
I can’t doctor.

DOCTOR
But pissing on the wall! I have it all in writing. The contract. I saw it all. I saw it with my
own eyes. Who, Woyzeck?! Who?!!!

The Doctor realizes they’re over reacting and

take a deep breath.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)
No. I’m not getting angry, Woyzeck. Anger is unhealthy. I am calm. I am perfectly calm.
Why would I, or why would anyone on Earth get excited about a human being, being a
human being?

WOYZECK
You see Doctor, sometimes you’ve got a certain character structure- but with nature,
that’s something else, you see-

DOCTOR
-Woyzeck, you’re getting philosophical again.

WOYZECK
Doctor, have you ever seen anything in double nature? When the suns standing at high
noon and the world seems to be going up in flames. I’ve had a terrible voice talking to
me. And I can’t seem to understand it.

DOCTOR
A voice? What does this voice sound like?

The Doctor examines Woyzeck’s mind.

Everyone on stage transforms into soldiers on a
battlefield. Sounds of explosions. Sounds of
shots. They all fall and die. A voice offstage
yells, “ANDRES, ANDRES, ANDRES.” The
Doctor still examining Woyzeck’s mind.

DOCTOR
Woyzeck, you have a marvelous aberratio mentalis paratilias. Beautifully developed.
You’re getting a raise Woyzeck. You’re obsession with a general rational condition.
 19.

WOYZECK
General condition, Doctor?

DOCTOR
You’re doing everything as usual? Shaving your captain?

WOYZECK
Yes.

DOCTOR
Eating your peas.

WOYZECK
Yes. Same as ever. My wife gets the money for the household.

DOCTOR
Going on duty?

WOYZECK
Yes.

DOCTOR
You’re an interesting case, Woyzeck. Yes, Subject Woyzeck, you’re getting a raise. Now
behave yourself and show me your pulse.

He feels his pulse. A heartbeat fills the stage.

CARNIVAL BARKER
A poor man. A poor soldier. Eating peas for money. A subject for money? What is this
world? How much does one man have to endure? How much does one man take... before
he reaches his breaking point.

Carnival music plays. Everyone clears the stage.

Andres enters by the river. Once the stage is
clear, the Carnival Barker holds up a sign that
reads, “SCENE EIGHT.”

SCENE EIGHT

Andres by the river. Woyzeck crosses to him.

 20.

ANDRES
(Singing)
Our hostess has a pretty maid, She’s in her garden night and day, she sits in her garden

WOYZECK
Andres.

ANDRES
Huh?

WOYZECK
Nice weather.

ANDRES
Sunday weather. There’s music outside town. Can you hear it? It’s really moving along.
Can you hear it?

They listen.

ANDRES
Yes. They’re dancing to it Woyzeck. They’re dancing to it.

WOYZECK
Dancing?

ANDRES
Yes, Dancing.

Marie and The Drum Major enter dancing and

exit dancing.

WOYZECK
Andres, I can’t keep still.

ANDRES
Fool!

WOYZECK
I’ve got to get out of here. Everything’s spinning before my eyes. How hot their hands
are!

ANDRES
What do you want?

WOYZECK
I’ve got to go!
 21.

ANDRES
That whore.

WOYZECK
I’ve got to go. It’s so hot here.

ANDRES
Dip your feet in the water then. It’s nice and cool when you dip your feet in the water.

Woyzeck exits. Andres hums along. This music

turns into carnival music as the Carnival Barker
dances on with a new sign that reads, “SCENE
NINE.” They dance off. The carnival music
transforms into dancing music. We set up the
INN. Including a window.

SCENE NINE

Once the inn is set up. Guests dance, drink and

enjoy their time. Marie and The Drum Major
dance in the center. Woyzeck rushes by.

MARIE
On and on and on!

Woyzeck stops. He heads to the window and

peaks in. The Drum Major and Marie laugh.

DRUM MAJOR
On and on and on.

Woyzeck turns away from the window. He’s

hurt.

WOYZECK
On and on and on.

He turns back again, then back out.

WOYZECK
On and on and on.

He turns back once more, but this time when he

turns back, the sadness transforms into anger.
 22.

WOYZECK
On and on and on. On and on and on! On and on and on!!! Spin around. Roll around.
Look how he grabs her. Look. He’s got her now, like I used to have her.

The old man from Carnival stumbles out.

OLD MAN
Yet when a wandered stands leaning against the stream of time... oh, fine evening isn’t it?
Yes a fine evening. A fine evening to question why does man exist? Why does man
exist?

Continues walking on.

OLD MAN
Why does the farmer exist? Why does the shoemaker, the cobbler, the doctor? How could
the soldier exist if men didn’t feel it necessary of killing another?

EVERYONE
How could the solider exist if men didn’t feel it necessary of killing another?

The old man disappears. Woyzeck takes his

words to heart.

WOYZECK
Killing one another. Killing one another.

Woyzeck runs out, then re-enters. Sounds of

bombs. Gunshots. Then we hear Woyzeck’s
voice through speakers, “Andres? Andres?
Andres!

WOYZECK
On and on and on. What are you saying? Louder. Louder. Stab her. Stab her to death you
say. Should I? No. No I shouldn’t. But you must. Soldiers die. Soldiers exist to kill
others. To kill others. Yes, stab her to death. To death. To kill others.

Andres enters and sits by the river. Woyzeck

joins him.

WOYZECK
Andres. I can’t sleep Andres. When I close my eyes everything starts spinning, and i hear
fiddles, on and on and on. And then there’s a small voice Andres... don’t you hear
anything?
 23.

Andres listens. The dancing music from the inn

plays. Marie and The Drum Major dance on and
then off stage.

ANDRES
Let them dance Woyzeck. Let them dance.

WOYZECK
The spinning. It floats between my eyes like a knife.

Andres closes his eyes and enjoys the water.

ANDRES
Dip your feet in the water Woyzeck. It soothes all the pain.

Woyzeck contemplates it for a second.

WOYZECK
On and on and on.

He rises furiously and rushes off stage then back

on. The Inn returns. Marie is gone but the Drum
Major sits on a bench.

WOYZECK
You.

DRUM MAJOR
Who, me?

WOYZECK
Yes. You’re the man with Marie.

DRUM MAJOR
I’m a man. A man I say. And you better stay away from me.

WOYZECK
I’ll get you.

DRUM MAJOR
Do you want me to pull your tongue out?

Woyzeck charges him. They wrestle. The Drum

Major wins.
 24.

A PERSON
He sure got what was coming to him.

ANOTHER PERSON
He’s bleeding.

WOYZECK
On and on and on!

Woyzeck runs out. Carnival music plays as

Woyzeck runs around frantically searching for
something. The Carnival Barker enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
On and on and on. The mind continues to move. On and on and on. On and on and on.

EVERYONE
On and on and on.

All characters enter and set up the Carnival

except for Woyzeck. The Barker shows a sign
that reads, “SCENE TEN”

SCENE TEN

EVERYONE
On and on and on. On and on and one.

Once the carnival is set up, Woyzeck enters

hearing all the voices. Within these voices,
gunshots and bombs sound. He’s losing his
mind.

EVERYONE
On and on and on. On and on and on. On and on and on! On and on and on!

Silence. Woyzeck has snapped. He’s deeply

disturbed and understands what he feels should
be done.

KNIFE DEALER
Knives here. Get your knives here. Knives here. Get your knives here.
 25.

Woyzeck turns.

KNIFE DEALER
Are you looking for a knife sir? We have all sorts of knives here. Large knives. Small
knives. Shiny knives. Sharp knives. Even sharper knives. Like this one.

The knife dealer presents it to Woyzeck. He

examines it.

WOYZECK
How much?

KNIFE DEALER
That’s a nice one. Good and straight. I’ll sell it to you nice and cheap. How about it?

WOYZECK
How much?

KNIFE DEALER
Two cents.

WOYZECK
Here.

Woyzeck hands over two cents then runs off

with the knife.

KNIFE DEALER
Like it was nothing. The dog! (Beat) Knives here. Get your knives here.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Knives and more knives. The show continues. On and on and on.

Flips over a sign that reads, “SCENE ELEVEN”

Everyone on stage snaps their head DSR. Marie
is already set, praying at her bed.

MARIE
And no guile is found in his mouth. My God, my God! Don't look at me. "And the scribes
and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and set her in the midst. ...
And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. My God! My
God! I can't. God, just give me enough strength to pray. Franz hasn't come, not yesterday,
not today. It's getting hot in here.
 26.

And stood at his feet weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them
with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. My God!
My God! Hear me here.

CARNIVAL BARKER
I hear you dear. I hear you loud and clear.

Woyzeck enters. The knife is hidden.

WOYZECK
Marie.

MARIE
Franz. What is it?

WOYZECK
We have to go, Marie. It’s time.

MARIE
Where to?

WOYZECK
How do I know? For a walk maybe. Under the night time sky.

MARIE
Let me dress properly.

WOYZECK
There’s no need, Marie. It’s just the two of us.

Marie reluctantly rises. She throws a shall over

her and they exit her apartment. They cross CS
and admire the moon.

WOYZECK
What a moon.

MARIE
It’s dark. The town is there.

WOYZECK
Come Marie. Sit here and enjoy the moon.

MARIE
But I have to get back.
 27.

WOYZECK
We’ve only just arrived.

MARIE
It’s cold.

WOYZECK
Maybe we should start a fire.

MARIE
No fire. It’s time to head home, Franz.

WOYZECK
You don’t like the moon?

She sits.

WOYZECK
Do you know how long it’s been?

MARIE
Two years since Pentecost.

WOYZECK
And do you know how long it’s going to be?

MARIE
I’ve got to go Franz. I really can’t stay here. The evening dew is falling.

He grabs her hand and keeps her down.

WOYZECK
Almost a year since the battle. A year since I’ve been eating peas and being a part of the
Doctor’s experiment for money. All for money, they stuff me with peas. Money I give to
you. Money I need even after I lost everyone for this town. A full year Marie.

MARIE
What are you talking about?!

Silence.

WOYZECK
Nothing.
 28.

They stare at the moon. Woyzeck slowly pulls

out the knife and stabs her in the back. She
winces in pain.

MARIE
The moon. Why is the moon so red?

Woyzeck pulls out the knife and reveals it.

WOYZECK
Red. Like a bloody blade.

MARIE
Franz...

Maybe he stabs her again. She falls over and

dies. Woyzeck watches the moon for a moment
than rises. The Carnival Barker enters with a
couple of assistants. The assistants place Marie
on a stretcher or gurney and wheel her offstage
as the Carnival Barker addresses the audience.

CARNIVAL BARKER
I know what you’re thinking. How could he? How could a man do such an act? But
maybe, we should ask, how or why did I make this a part of our show? But if we didn’t
incorporate this. Would we really see the descent on the human mind? Would our show
really live up to its name without this? After-all, what causes a human to reach their
breaking point? To what point does one say enough is enough? Would I have done this?
No. Would you? No. Most of us wouldn’t. But somewhere, deep within the mind, others
let it break their spirit and will. However, we are now about to witness the real, Finale.

Woyzeck enters.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Woyzeck. We’ve been waiting for you.

The stage clears. We’re back at the battle.

Everyone’s dead. Andres enters and sits in the
river.

WOYZECK
I... I...

CARNIVAL BARKER
Oh, we know Franz. We know.
 29.

He glances around, realizing he’s all a part of

the show.

WOYZECK
Is this all... just a part of the show?

CARNIVAL BARKER
A very real show, Franz.

EVERYONE
A very real show.

WOYZECK
I don’t want to be a part of this show anymore. How do you make it stop? I wan’t it to
stop.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Talk to him. He knows.

Woyzeck spots Andres.

WOYZECK
Andres...

Woyzeck crosses to Andres as The Barker

reveals a sign that reads, “THE FINALE.”
Everyone hums the carnival theme as Woyzeck
crosses. They all lay down and resume the
battlefield.

WOYZECK
Andres.

ANDRES
Woyzeck. You’re here again.

Silence.

ANDRES
Did you stop the dancing, Woyzeck?

WOYZECK
I did. With this.

He presents the knife.

 30.

ANDRES
Now what?

WOYZECK
I want it all to stop. I want the show to end. I want the voices to go away. I want them to
shut up.

Andres smiles. He has an idea.

ANDRES
First. You remove your boots and socks.

Woyzeck does.

ANDRES
Now, you take it back... and...

WOYZECK
And....

ANDRES
And join me in the river.

Woyzeck glances into the river. He’s afraid of

the reflections.

WOYZECK
I saw you Andres. In the river. You looked...

He gestures with his hands.

ANDRES
I know.

Everyone on stage slowly rises and marches

towards them. Carnival music plays gently
through the speakers. Woyzeck’s aware of
everything but none of it makes sense. He
suffers completely.

WOYZECK
Was this always my destiny, Andres?
 31.

ANDRES
A man has the power of free will, Woyzeck. Sometimes, life prevents us from choosing
wisely but that’s nor here or there. You chose what you chose.

WOYZECK
The voices, Andres. I want to stop the voices.

ANDRES
Then stop them.

Silence. Woyzeck picks up the knife. He

examines it. After a long contemplation he stabs
himself and falls into the river. It turns all red.
Andres watches on.

ANDRES
You’re finally in the river, Woyzeck. Finally in the river.

The soldiers watch on. The Carnival Barker

emerges from the crowd.

CARNIVAL BARKER
Well, well, well, there we have it. The descent of the human mind. Human suffering at its
finest. Thank you all for coming to our show. Any and all tickets for our future shows
will be available in the lobby. We hope you enjoyed your stay at our Carnival and hope to
see you back. Our next show is sure to dazzle.

Carnival music plays. Lights down. End of play.