Mobile Home, Sweet Home
“How’d you like to be on television?” This question, posed by future daughter-in-law Anne, takes Loff DuVall by surprise. After all, he and May June had been running the Hampton Court trailer park for more years than either would care to admit. The last thing he’d want now is to be in some reality TV show. In fact, he was hoping he and May June could get away for a while, take a long vacation from the place. He wouldn’t have to listen to Goose Halford’s long stories, such as how his grandpa has a metal plate in his head. “The kids used to catch him asleep and put ‘frigerator magnets on his forehead,” he confides in Loff. Or having to help Lydia Spagway’s grandkid who just got her hand caught in a toilet. Add to this Rhonda DeFalco’s gossip, Vonell Rafferty looking for buried treasure with her metal detector, and Etta Frobisher’s threat to close down his business, he’s really at the end of his rope. But Anne’s idea, coupled with the fact she’s practically engaged to son, Larry, shows Loff a way out. Except that, for the show to succeed, Loff can’t leave! Throw in a conniving producer, a retired lieutenant colonel and everyone showing up looking like run-over hillbillies and Loff or May June just don’t know what’s to become of them, their tenants, or the trailer park. This two-act comedy is full of oddball characters and will have your audience laughing and falling in love with all those at Hampton Court Trailer Park.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PAT COOK TALKS ABOUT MOBILE HOME, SWEET HOME
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: For some time now I had wanted to write a play which took place on a porch. Also I had thought many times about doing something with Reality TV. Then when my friend, Arthur, mentioned that he had another friend who managed a trailer park, this all came together.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE PLAY? WHY?
A: Probably the opening scene between LOFF and GOOSE. I swear I know these guys SO well! For a while there I was thinking this play may turn out to be "My Dinner with Goose."
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
A: Although not based on any one in particular, these are the kinds of folks I grew up with. Consequently, I am probably more at home writing this kind of play than any other.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: As mentioned I wanted to use a couple of ideas which had been stewing in my imagination for years now. Also, as always, I wanted to write something that would be both fun to watch and fun to do.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: Yes. Thank you for publishing this thing! My wife, Rose Ann, thinks the only reason I come into my office is to get out of a lot of household chores.