A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

A Respectable Funeral

Short Play, Drama  /  3w, 1m

A Respectable Funeral
by Jimmie Chinn

Three middle-aged sisters are gathered at the house of their dead mother. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who looked after their mother, has failed to turn up. From the sisters' gossip it appears that Mother was no saint.

A Respectable Funeral

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    40 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

A Respectable Funeral is one of the first one act plays from the sensitive and humorous pen of Jimmie Chinn. It was presented and performed as a double bill - with one of Mr Chinn's other plays, From Here To The Library - under the title of Back To Back in Oldham. Both plays can be performed separately or as an entertaining double bill.   

Evadne, Joyce and Greta, three middle-aged sisters, are gathered at the house of their deceased mother, following the funeral. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who had looked after their mother after she was widowed, has failed to turn up. As the sisters talk and gossip, it becomes apparent that their late mother was no saint, being neither a faithful wife nor a loving parent. All the women have plans for the money that they will inherit when their mother's house will be sold; but then suddenly, Charlie arrives - with a request that will put pay to all their dreams......

This sharp and often very funny play gives us an intimate glimpse of four lives, family relationships and the effect of one woman's selfishness.

History
The play was first presented by Teddington Theatre Club at Hampton Court Theatre on November 2nd 1983.
M1 (50s) F3 (50s)
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting A Living Room in Northern England.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

A very untidy room, full of the clutter of the appalling departed mother, was the appropriate setting for the three women to argue, laugh and reminisce in a totally believable sisterly way........... and when Charlie arrived, there was a change of pace aboutwho had perhaps come off worst in this difficult family arena. A beautifully judged piece with the humour and pathos."
[Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald]

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £40 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Jimmie Chinn

James 'Jimmie' Chinn was born in Middleton, Lancashire on March 30th 1940 - the only son of his beloved mother, Edie. His early years, although not always easy, were to shape his writing in the future, and this often difficult time compounded his determination to achieve grea ...

View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences