Mary in Ephesus: A One Act Play

By J.M. Miles

This is a one act play in three scenes with no scenery changes. It features three female roles and four male roles. It takes about thirty minutes to read, so maybe fifty to sixty minutes to perform.
The story takes place on a goat herder's farm on the side of a mountain just outside of the city of Ephesus. It is about
42 C. E. but to the story's principals it is several years after the crucifixion of Jesus and during the reign of Herod Agrippa in Israel. Aris, Dara, and Papou are ethnically Greek and Adeem is from a region of Africa south of Egypt.

Scene one opens with Adeem center stage, half hidden. From stage left Aris enters on a run, out-of-breath. Observed by Adeem he smashes a statuette of Artemis. Aris's mother has just died and Aris is furious that the goddess of Ephesus did not save her. Adeem had left his father's home in Alexandria. His family originated in a region that is now Ethiopia. He left home and a job in the library of Alexandria to travel the Roman world. Having been deceived by a ship's captain, he deserted the ship in Ephesus and fled the city.
Aris tells Adeem they could possibly shelter at his grandfather's hut (which is on the right side of the stage). They are taken in by Aris's grandfather, Papou, who is delighted by Adeem's literary and language knowledge.
In scene two Aris's sister, Dara, arrives at Papou's hut. She furious with her brother for attacking the Artemis statue sellers. This causes Aris to become sullen. Adeem reveals to Dara the real reason he'd left his home in Alexandria. While walking from Ephesus to the house of Simon - further up the mountain - John and Mary stop at the hut. Mary consoles Dara on the loss of her mother. Dara is entranced by the mother of Jesus. John tells Adeem and Papou who Jesus is, what he taught, and the immense significance of his death and resurrection. Aris remains sullen and refuses to listen.

In scene three, Dara and Adeem return to the hut and Aris. They try to convince him to come to the banquet being held at Simon's house up the mountain. He argues and refuses. Mary Magdalena appears and talks to Aris. She is joined by Mary and together they invite Aris to join the banquet. Aris is unsure.

The role of Aris can be changed to female with just a few changes to the script.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G436CTK3
• ISBN13: 9798274797733
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"