A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Love and Understanding

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  1w, 2m

"This is one of the best plays I've seen, ever, at this powerhouse of new writing ... tough, eloquent, bruising." - Sunday Times

Live-in lovers Neal and Rachel are overworked doctors. They rarely see each other, and their relationship suffers for it. Enter Neal's old g…

Love and Understanding

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 2m
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Live-in lovers Neal and Rachel are overworked doctors. They rarely see each other, and their relationship suffers for it. Enter Neal's old good-for-nothing friend, Richie, for a surprise visit, straight from South America - or somewhere. He needs a place to stay and Neal is too weak to say no. Rachel doesn't want him either, but Richie manipulates her, creating a sexual tension between them. Richie immediately uses this charge to stir up trouble between the couple, insinuating that Neal is boring and that Rachel needs a good time with a black sheep like himself.

Neal, twenties
Rachel, twenties
Richie, twenties

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    Various simple settings

  • Cautions
    • Drugs

Media

"This is one of the best plays I've seen, ever, at this powerhouse of new writing ... tough, eloquent, bruising." - Sunday Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place in Major Cities. Please submit a licence application to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Joe Penhall

Joe Penhall lives in London. His first play, WILD TURKEY, was performed at the Old Red Lion as part of the 1993 London New Play Festival. SOME VOICES (1994, Royal Court Theatre Upstairs) won him a Thames Television Bursary and the John Whiting Award in 1995 and was short-list ...
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