Commercials

Do you ever get the feeling that television commercials dominate our lives? Suppose those sometimes weird characters and animated cartoons could step out of your TV screen and accost you personally? That's what happens to the lady in this play. She's relaxing on the couch watching TV when suddenly a box of detergent from a commercial steps out of the screen and accosts her with a strong-armed sales pitch. That amusingly frightening episode is followed by other weird characters—even dog food and breath spray—doing the same thing. The young woman being attacked screams with fright, and audiences scream with delight. This play vividly portrays the outrageous and ridiculous nature of commercials to which television viewers are constantly exposed. Commercials also offers a rare opportunity for experimentation and creativity in designing costumes. The commercials can be real people holding the articles they are trying to sell, or the actors may be the product, costumed to represent the article. They may also be the kinds of creatures used in numerous TV commercials—a dancing raisin selling cereal, a cute teddy bear putting detergent in your washing machine, an animated candy bar, etc. The possibilities and fun are endless. In "About the Play" in the script, the author encourages creativity and adding more material if desired. You can even add your own singing commercials and jingles if you wish.