A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Semblance of Madness!
Short Play, Drama / 3f
Semblance of Madness!
by John H. Newmeir
Three women in a psychiatric hospital meet for a therapeutic drama lesson. Jones, an ex-professional actress, adopts the role of teacher. The other two women - Dawn, a neurotic day-dreamer, and Hannah, an apparently "normal" dispassionate person - po…
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Cast Size
3f -
Duration
40 minutes -
Subgenre
Mystery/Thriller -
Target Audience
Adult
Details
Summary
Three women in a psychiatric hospital meet for a therapeutic drama lesson. Jones, an ex-professional actress, adopts the role of teacher. The ease with which she slips between three other "characters" The other two women - Dawn, a neurotic day-dreamer, and Hannah, an apparently "normal" is both frightening and baffling. Are they, as she claims, just characters she has dramatically created, or in fact, asthe doctors believe, schizophrenic personalities? The other two women - Dawn, aneurotic day-dreamer, and Hannah, an apparently "normal" dispassionate person - portray her students. From the outset we learn that the lesson is carefully controlled to extract information regarding a gruesome murder. Each woman declares she is a trained pschiatrist and that the other two are inmates. The suspicion constantly transfers between the three as the tension builds. It is not until the very end that the truth is discivered.
History
First performed by Adelphi Platers at the Focus Theatre, Southend-on-Sea on 2nd March, 1998.
Cast Attributes
Performing Groups
- Time Period Present Day
- Setting
A psychiatric hospital.
- Additional Features Not Applicable
- Duration 40 minutes
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Media
None
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £30 per performance plus VAT when applicable.