Cast

SPIDER, the oldest – a dismal school record reflected in his behaviour and dress (totally inappropriate for something as formal as a Matric Farewell). He wears a casual jacket, its lapels covered in badges. He also wears a school cap.

JESSICA, a school prefect with a mind of her own. She knows the rules, but still plays the game her own way.

COXIE, head boy and rugby star – the only one wearing a ‘tux’.

MYRTLE, the youngest – she has made her ‘Pamela Ewing’ dress herself and is very proud of the fact.

ALLIE, bespectacled, the class boffin. His ‘straight’ suit is worn in a way that suggests a total ignorance of hip, as does his body language.

Boo to the Moon was first performed by NAPAC's Loft Theatre Company in the Loft Theatre (Natal Playhouse) on 12 November 1986. Greg Melvill Smith played Spider, Judy Broderick, Jessica, Christopher Wells, Coxie, Simon Heale, Allie, and Annie Harvey, Myrtle. The production was directed by Paul Slabolepszy.

The play was subsequently performed throughout 1987 by PACT who toured it nationally. The production opened at Johannesburg's Windybrow Theatre in May 1987, with Stephen Jennings as Spider, Susan Danford as Jessica, Bruce Alexander as Coxie, Glenn Swart as Allie, and Anna-Mart van der Merwe as Myrtle. The production was directed by Bobby Heaney.

The entire play takes place in and around a crashed medium-to-small saloon car – mid to late seventies vintage (a four-door Fiat 128?). The wreck, mildly battered and with a flat rear wheel, stands at an angle on an open patch of veld. We are to imagine that the vehicle has tumbled from the Durban–South Coast highway (off stage and up a steep incline).

Since the actual accident only happens in the first beat of the play, it is important that the incoming audience does not see the car. Where there is no proscenium arch, the vehicle should be covered with a tarpaulin or stage cloth. As the auditorium lights dim and the theatre becomes totally dark, we hear the all-encompassing cacophony of a motor accident.