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2-3 person plays

Question:

you may want to try Life in the Theatre by Mamet~- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was also looking at small cast plays and came accross the play "Art" listed with dramatist I think. Does anyone know about this play? I mean either seen it produced or been involved with a production of it? the description sounds interesting. also interested on info for: The Big Slam Deep Sleepers Thanks, Richard Jackson "Art", by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton "Sleuth", by Anthony Shaffer Actually, both Dramatists and Samuel French organize their catalogues by the size of the cast, so you can thumb through and look and see what looks interesting.  Dramatist’s catalogue, for instance, has around 25 pages of 2 and 3 character plays. Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

"Art" is fresh off Broadway (it may have closed, I’m not sure).  I saw the original NY cast – Alan Alda, Victor Garber, Alfred Molina.  It is VERY funny, especially a huge speech that the Alfred Molina character gives about halfway through; it’s about three pages long, and given almost in one breath. It has an extremely simple set, very little lighting effects, almost no props, modern dress, and three equally sized parts for middle aged men.  Set, lighting, and costumes were all black and white (except for a bowl and a hand towel near the end of the show, which were green – I don’t know why).  It won tons of awards while on Broadway. Reza, the playwright, is French.  The play is about three friends, one of whom goes out and buys a very expensive piece of modern art (white on white) by a chic painter, and the effect this painting has on their friendship.  It is very French (who else would get so emotional over a painting?), and Chris Hampton’s translation left the setting in France (the characters have French names, places mentioned are in France, money is francs, etc.), but the NY production chose to do it with NY accents, even though one of the actors (Molina) is British.  All of which makes this play extremely accessible for all levels of theater, assuming you have the acting talent to cover three big parts.  (It also has some cursing, if that is a consideration.) Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was also looking at small cast plays and came accross the play "Art" listed with dramatist I think. Does anyone know about this play? I mean either seen it produced or been involved with a production of it? the description sounds interesting. also interested on info for: The Big Slam Deep Sleepers Thanks, Richard Jackson "Art", by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton "Sleuth", by Anthony Shaffer Actually, both Dramatists and Samuel French organize their catalogues by the size of the cast, so you can thumb through and look and see what looks interesting.  Dramatist’s catalogue, for instance, has around 25 pages of 2 and 3 character plays. Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

Who’s it by? Check out the play "Doubles". Four men and one woman. It takes place in a tennis club. It’s pretty hilarious and says a lot as well. regards, Jim

Dear Knapman’s:     Sorry I didn’t remember at the time who wrote "Doubles", but your latest question "who’s it by", foreced me to get off my can and go look. Thanks. And by the way, it was written by David Wiltsie. regards, Jim

Response:

I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production)

I suggest you go to www.dramatists.com and check out our PlayFinder feature, which is a search engine that will search our entire catalogue of plays.  You can search by cast size and key words and find the plays that will suit you. By clicking on the titles you can get full descriptions of the plays and script order information. Craig Pospisil Dramatists Play Service

Response:

"Art", by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton "Sleuth", by Anthony Shaffer Actually, both Dramatists and Samuel French organize their catalogues by the size of the cast, so you can thumb through and look and see what looks interesting.  Dramatist’s catalogue, for instance, has around 25 pages of 2 and 3 character plays. Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

I was also looking at small cast plays and came accross the play "Art" listed with dramatist I think. Does anyone know about this play? I mean either seen it produced or been involved with a production of it? the description sounds interesting. also interested on info for: The Big Slam Deep Sleepers Thanks, Richard Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Art", by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton "Sleuth", by Anthony Shaffer Actually, both Dramatists and Samuel French organize their catalogues by the size of the cast, so you can thumb through and look and see what looks interesting.  Dramatist’s catalogue, for instance, has around 25 pages of 2 and 3 character plays. Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

The play has been running in London for ages. It’s a huge cash cow for the producers, David Pugh and Sean Connery. I think it will be a long time before they release the rights to anyone else. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Art" is fresh off Broadway (it may have closed, I’m not sure).  I saw the original NY cast – Alan Alda, Victor Garber, Alfred Molina.  It is VERY funny, especially a huge speech that the Alfred Molina character gives about halfway through; it’s about three pages long, and given almost in one breath. It has an extremely simple set, very little lighting effects, almost no props, modern dress, and three equally sized parts for middle aged men.  Set, lighting, and costumes were all black and white (except for a bowl and a hand towel near the end of the show, which were green – I don’t know why).  It won tons of awards while on Broadway. Reza, the playwright, is French.  The play is about three friends, one of whom goes out and buys a very expensive piece of modern art (white on white) by a chic painter, and the effect this painting has on their friendship.  It is very French (who else would get so emotional over a painting?), and Chris Hampton’s translation left the setting in France (the characters have French names, places mentioned are in France, money is francs, etc.), but the NY production chose to do it with NY accents, even though one of the actors (Molina) is British.  All of which makes this play extremely accessible for all levels of theater, assuming you have the acting talent to cover three big parts.  (It also has some cursing, if that is a consideration.) Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania I was also looking at small cast plays and came accross the play "Art" listed with dramatist I think. Does anyone know about this play? I mean either seen it produced or been involved with a production of it? the description sounds interesting. also interested on info for: The Big Slam Deep Sleepers Thanks, Richard Jackson "Art", by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton "Sleuth", by Anthony Shaffer Actually, both Dramatists and Samuel French organize their catalogues by the size of the cast, so you can thumb through and look and see what looks interesting.  Dramatist’s catalogue, for instance, has around 25 pages of 2 and 3 character plays. Aaron Gould Forge Theatre Phoenixville, Pennsylvania I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

— Out of Joint Graham Cowley, Producer Tel: +44 (0)20 7609 0207 Fax: +44 (0)20 7609 0203

Response:

Check out the play "Doubles". Four men and one woman. It takes place in a tennis club. It’s pretty hilarious and says a lot as well. regards, Jim

Response:

Try Slight Accident by James Saunders

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

THanks both of you for your quick replies – I will look at the plays you suggested.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

Try Slight Accident by James Saunders

don’t know that one…any idea when it was published and who by?…easily the most underestimated playwright in the language :) eric "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

Tooting my own horn, here:  My play SPADES has three characters, all men, a black comedy set in a Vietnam morgue. It’s available from Samuel French. It’s a short play, though. Jim Beaver

Response:

Who’s it by?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Check out the play "Doubles". Four men and one woman. It takes place in a tennis club. It’s pretty hilarious and says a lot as well. regards, Jim

Response:

"Zoo Story" by Albee. "The Lonely Impulse of Delight" by John Patrick Shanley That play that features the Chicago hood who winds up living with the two brothers…..Title is escaping me right now.  Brain is tired. Ed Hooks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male

Response:

"Zoo Story" by Albee. "The Lonely Impulse of Delight" by John Patrick Shanley That play that features the Chicago hood who winds up living with the two brothers…..Title is escaping me right now.  Brain is tired.

"Orphans" by Lyle Kessler. Great play. Really intense stuff. There’s a very good film version starring Matthew Modine, Kevin Anderson and Albert Finney D.M. If you want to feel superior, watch Jerry Springer. If you want to *be* superior, read Shakespeare.

Response:

I have it in an edition called Neighbours and Other Plays publ. Andre Deutsch 1968.  It’s a wonderful black comedy and I agree with you about James Saunders being underestimated! Kindest regards Deirdre

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try Slight Accident by James Saunders don’t know that one…any idea when it was published and who by?…easily the most underestimated playwright in the language :) eric "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I believe "Man with the Flower In His Mouth" is, in fact, Pirandello.  You might want to check out a very funny 4 man, very brief play called "The Still Alarm" by Geo. S. Kaufman. Two veddy, veddy proper gentlemen in a hotel room are informed by the bellhop that "The hotel is on fire, sir".  In their very genteel way, they proceed to dither about the best way one ought to leave until, of course, the place burns down. Awww!  You spoiled the ending!  (Just kidding, one would hope any work is good enough to enjoy whether you know the ending or not.) Steve

Don’t worry Steve, We still saw Titanic, even though we knew the ship was going to sink. We all knew that, …didn’t we? Hmmm, do you think Confuscious was thinking about "The Still Alarm" when he said those profound words. Something to think about.. Drama Queen — True Nobility lies not in being superior to another, …but lies in being superior to your former self.                          –Hindustan proverb–

Response:

I believe "Man with the Flower In His Mouth" is, in fact, Pirandello.  You might want to check out a very funny 4 man, very brief play called "The Still Alarm" by Geo. S. Kaufman. Two veddy, veddy proper gentlemen in a hotel room are informed by the bellhop that "The hotel is on fire, sir".  In their very genteel way, they proceed to dither about the best way one ought to leave until, of course, the place burns down.

Awww!  You spoiled the ending!  (Just kidding, one would hope any work is good enough to enjoy whether you know the ending or not.) Steve

Response:

You could also try another vastly underestimated British plawright: Peter Barnes. His "Noonday Demons" is just one of many small cast plays that he’s written. Much as I love James Saunders’ work, I think Barnes has a slight edge in his use of the language. Simon Dunmore — <http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.dunmore/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try Slight Accident by James Saunders don’t know that one…any idea when it was published and who by?…easily the most underestimated playwright in the language :) eric "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

Yup, it is Pirandello. Try his collection of one act plays – mostly all suitable for small casts. It’s trans. by William Murray.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s by Pirandello – I think. Simon Dunmore — <http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.dunmore/ I remember seeing a two-man play entitled ‘The Man with the Flower in his I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

It’s by Pirandello – I think. Simon Dunmore — <http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.dunmore/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I remember seeing a two-man play entitled ‘The Man with the Flower in his I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

I believe "Man with the Flower In His Mouth" is, in fact, Pirandello.  You might want to check out a very funny 4 man, very brief play called "The Still Alarm" by Geo. S. Kaufman.   Two veddy, veddy proper gentlemen in a hotel room are informed by the bellhop that "The hotel is on fire, sir".  In their very genteel way, they proceed to dither about the best way one ought to leave until, of course, the place burns down.

Response:

"The Public Eye" or "The Private Ear" by Peter Shaffer.  Great plays.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

I remember seeing a two-man play entitled ‘The Man with the Flower in his – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

I am looking for plays to fit 2-3 people (can go to four). All characters have to be male (problem getting female actors in area for small profit share production) Has to be a modern play (at least modern in style) Can be a comedy but only if it has strong characters and not just punchlines It can have gay characters but I dont want it to be a play focused on that. Doesn’t have to be a well known author but has to be easy enough to get hold of scripts/performance rights. Thanks, Gareth Knapman — Gareth www.w-mids.freeserve.co.uk

Response:

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