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Man of the Moment

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  5f, 6m

Alan Ayckbourn

"A masterpiece [by] Ayckbourn at the peak of his powers using comedy to say harsh, true things about our society." - The Guardian

"Marvelous, moving and memorable." - Time Out

Man of the Moment

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5f, 6m
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
Accolades
Accolades

  • 1990 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award

    1990 Olivier nomination for Play of the Year

Details

Summary
Television producer Jill Rillington is taping a documentary which will reunite Vic Parks with Douglas Beechey. Seventeen years ago, Douglas inadvertently foiled Vic's last bank robbery, during which Vic shot a teller in the face. Vic, a callous boor, served his time and then exploited his celebrity status to become a wealthy television personality. Douglas married the maimed teller and hero and victim fell into shabby obscurity. Now, at Vic's luxurious Mediterranean villa, Jill's hopes for a fiery confrontation are fading because amiable Douglas shows no envy or bitterness and happy people make rotten telly material. Will Vic ever receive his just deserts?
Keywords

    Media

    "A masterpiece [by] Ayckbourn at the peak of his powers using comedy to say harsh, true things about our society." - TheGuardian

    "Marvelous, moving and memorable." - Time Out

    "Ayckbourn is without doubt the living miracle of our modern theatre." - Daily Mail

    Videos

    • Alan Ayckbourn on Ideas youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on Ideas

    • Alan Ayckbourn on the Difference Between Then and Now youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on the Difference Between Then and Now

    • Alan Ayckbourn on Writing a Well Made Play youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on Writing a Well Made Play

    • Alan Ayckbourn on Growing As a Dramatist youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on Growing As a Dramatist

    • Alan Ayckbourn on Comparisons youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on Comparisons

    • Alan Ayckbourn on How to Approach His Plays youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on How to Approach His Plays

    • Alan Ayckbourn on Getting Started youtube thumbnail

      Alan Ayckbourn on Getting Started

    Show more +

    Licensing & Materials

    • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
      This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

    Scripts

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    Authors

    Alan Ayckbourn

    Alan Ayckbourn

    A playwright and theatre director, to date Alan Ayckbourn has written 89 plays – Family Album attracted four-star reviews when it premiered in September 2022 at the Stephen Joseph, where nearly all his plays are first staged.

    However, this year he will stage his 88th play Welc ...

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