A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Penitent

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  1w, 3m

David Mamet

" The Penitent is timely and exciting and, in the best of ways, awfully depressing." - NBC New York

The Penitent

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
A renowned psychologist, Charles, is asked to testify on behalf of one of his former patients who has committed a shooting. At first he is hesitant, and as his lawyer and his wife begin to tell him how he should handle the situation, Charles clings more fervently to his morals and his ethics. However, the tighter he clings, the more his reputation and career hang in the balance, especially as more truths are revealed about his relationship to his patient.
History

The Penitent premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City in February 2017 under the direction of Neil Pepe.

Keywords
Performing Groups
CHARLES - a middle-aged psychologist.
KATE - middle-aged woman, his wife. 
RICHARD - a family friend. 
AN ATTORNEY
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting Multiple locations with chairs and a table
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS 

"Doctor-patient privilege, religion and infidelity are all worked into the mix, so much so that the story seems unbelievably loaded with twists, but that's part of the entertaining quality of it all, as are the elevated verbal rhythms that Mamet orchestrates so well into his dialogue." - BroadwayWorld, Read More 

"The Penitent is timely and exciting and, in the best of ways, awfully depressing." - NBC New York, Read More 

"You can still hear a little of that old MAMETIAN MAGIC. The language is both casual and formal and the result can be wonderful - like Schubert scoring a boxing match.” - The New York Times


Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

David Mamet

David Mamet
David Mamet is the author of the plays: Race, Keep Your Pantheon, School, November, Romance, Boston Marriage, Faustus, Oleanna, Glengarry Glen Ross (1984 Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award), American Buffalo, The Old Neighborhood, A Life in the Theatre, Sp ...
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