A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE
Bent
Full-Length Play, Drama / 11m
Martin Sherman
"Powerful and provocative." — The New York Times
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Cast Size
11m -
Duration
More than 120 minutes (2 hours) -
Subgenre
Docudrama/History -
Suggested Use
- Cutting Approved for Competition
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Target Audience
Adult
Accolades
- Nominee! 1980 Tony Award, Best Play
Named among the "10 most influential postwar British plays" by The Guardian
Details
Summary
In 1934 Berlin on the eve of the Nazi incursion, Max, a grifter and his lover Rudy are recovering from a night of debauchery with a SA trooper. Two soldiers burst into the apartment and slit their guest's throat, beginning a nightmare odyssey through Nazi Germany. Ranked lower on the human scale than Jews, the men as awoved homosexuals, flee. Desperate and on the run, Max asks his own "discreetly" homosexual Uncle Freddie for help as the older man offers little more than suggestions on how to live, as he does, practicing homosexuality on the side. Attempting their escape, Rudy is beaten to death as Horst, another homosexual prisoner, warns Max to deny his lover. Taken to a death camp at Dachau, Max and Horst branded with the "pink triangle", hope to survive with each other for comfort and courage but it is not to be. Richard Gere created the role of Max on Broadway.
History
Bent was first presented at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 3 May 1979. It was directed by Robrt Chetwyn. The play subsequently transferred to London's West End at the Criterion Theatre on 4 July 1979. The play premiered on Broadway at the New Apollo Theatre in New York City on 2 December 1979. It was directed by Robert Allan Ackerman.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
- Time Period 1940s/WWII
- Setting Nazi Berlin
- Features Period Costumes
- Additional Features Play with Music
- Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Cautions
- Intense Adult Themes
Media
REVIEWS
"Powerful and provocative." — The New York Times
"Brilliant [...] an explosive, overpowering experience." — Women's Wear Daily
RELATED ARTICLES ON BREAKING CHARACTER
A Nightmare Odyssey: Spotlight on Bent
by Eliza Skidgel
October 11, 2016
Music
- Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
- Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
Performance rights for this show are currently heavily restricted in the UK and Ireland. Please submit a licence request to determine availability - Optional Music/Media Fee: £10 per performance
Authors
