A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Burning Ship

Short Play, Drama  /  1m

David Rabe

David Rabe’s chilling, contemporary monologue – adapted from his short story published in The New Yorker – is a nightmare sequence blending fears of climate change, politics, war and betrayal.

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The Burning Ship

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    45-50 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

A haunting sequence blending fears of climate change, politics, war and betrayal, The Burning Ship, adapted from Rabe’s short story “Suffocation Theory,” is a nightmare of a world crumbling around an unnamed central character. As the TV blares news of climate crisis, shootings and war, the man’s immediate surroundings grow equally sinister. Events become increasingly absurd and dreamlike as a new gun-wielding roommate calls for an escalation of the violence and several sinister strangers arrive, including a woman identifying herself as Cassandra of Troy.

History

David Rabe’s short story “Suffocation Theory” was first published in The New Yorker on 5 October 2020. The stage adaptation premiered online on 7 April 2021 in a filmed presentation produced by Undermain Theatre in Dallas, Texas. Directed by Jake Nice, the production starred Bruce DuBose.

Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    A simple setting or bare stage. The present.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 45-50 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language

Media

“A chillingly dark monologue... a dazzling piece of theatrical work.” – The Wall Street Journal

“A terrifying story [told] almost matter-of-factly, which only enhances its chilling menace... Part of the play’s power lies in the viewer constantly having to ask himself how much of the dystopia described is already here and how much is around the corner. Nothing sounds beyond the near future. Are we taking the danger we’re in for granted? Are we so inundated with the inevitability of our demise that we’ve grown weary or cynical of it? Suffocation Theory doesn’t sink under the weight of this burden because of Rabe’s aforementioned prowess with description... The play’s dreamlike quality grows as the action becomes more absurd and threatening.” – The Dallas Morning News

“A chillingly dark monologue... Suffocation Theory is the surrealistic fantasy of a man who has been overwhelmed by the ceaseless flow of violently bad news of all kinds – terrorism, mass shootings, bombings – and has become obsessed with the ‘irresistible idea’ shared by the perpetrators of these monstrous crimes that ‘killing a bunch of strangers would solve whatever problem they thought they couldn’t solve in any other way’... a dazzling piece of theatrical work.” – The Wall Street Journal

Videos

  • Suffocation Theory – Undermain Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Suffocation Theory – Undermain Theatre Trailer

  • Suffocation Theory – Behind the Scenes at Undermain Theatre youtube thumbnail

    Suffocation Theory – Behind the Scenes at Undermain Theatre

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

David Rabe

David Rabe
Born in Iowa, David Rabe graduated from Loras College and started work on a M.A. in Theater in the Villanova University graduate program. After dropping out, he was drafted into the Army in 1965 and he then spent 1966 in Vietnam. Returning to the States, he went back to Villa ...
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