A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
The Actress (Quilter)
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 5w, 2m
The Actress dramatises the events backstage as a colourful, complicated actress makes her emotional farewell performance. Various people from her life invade her dressing room to say their goodbyes, declare their love, roar with laughter, spit insults, grab a final embrace and renew old battles.
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Cast Size
5w, 2m -
Duration
105 Minutes -
Subgenre
Romantic Comedy -
Target Audience
Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14-18)
Details
Summary
“The last show is always a very strange affair. It’s like a party, a great buzz of excitement. But then each actor will leave, with laughter still ringing in the air and a cheery wave. Then it stops. And as you watch each of them walk down the street, they look terribly lonely. That’s the thing about it, you see. After all the applause and elation, we walk home alone. And that’s who actors are – the happiest, saddest people you’ll ever meet.”
A touching and hilarious comedy about an actress making her farewell performance.
History
The Actress had its world premiere at the Woodinville Repertory Theatre in September 2014. It has since had productions in Germany, Brazil, Russia, the UK and Australia.
Cast Attributes
- Time Period Not Applicable
- Setting
A dressing room backstage at a theatre. The time period is flexible.
- Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
- Additional Features Physical Comedy
- Duration 105 Minutes
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Media
“A smart, intelligent and very amusing play.” – The Mercury
“The audience was thrilled and greatly moved by the show.” – Dez Minutos de Arte
“A huge success... The applause just didn’t want to end... The play is full of witty dialogue that is also philosophically profound... A smart, intelligent and very amusing play.” – The Mercury
“This play is so rich... Quilter’s characters ring true.” – Woodinville Weekly
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
Women and Show Biz: A Conversation with Playwright Peter Quilter
by Jim Colleran
14 June 2024
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
Authors
Peter Quilter
Peter Quilter’s plays have been produced in 40 countries around the world and translated into 30 languages. He has had three successful shows in London’s West End and a hit run on Broadway, and has twice been nominated for the Olivier Award, for Best New Play and Best New Com ...