A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 4w, 2m
Based on a true story, this hilarious and heartwarming comedy tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a delusional and joyously happy socialite who, despite having no singing ability, performed enthusiastically for bemused audiences in 1940s New York.
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Cast Size
4w, 2m -
Duration
120 minutes (2 hours) -
Subgenre
Biography -
Target Audience
Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
- Nominee! Laurence Olivier Award as Best New Comedy
Details
Summary
Hilarious comedy of the worst singer in the world. In 1940s New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Known as “the first lady of the sliding scale,” she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics. Instead, she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.
Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence's charity recitals and extravagent balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heartwarming comedy. For more information, click here.
Find video clips of Glorious in performance around the world here
History
- Time Period 1940s/WWII
- Setting New York City, 1944.
- Features Period Costumes
- Additional Features Physical Comedy, Play with Music
- Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Media
“Delightful and blissfully funny.” – Daily Telegraph
“Hilarious and touching.” – Daily Mail
“A glittering comedy with a heart... lunatically funny.” – Sunday Times
“In Peter Quilter’s touching play... what begins as a joke becomes a lesson in how to live your dream.” – The Daily Express
“Comically sublime.” – The Guardian
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
Women and Show Biz: A Conversation with Playwright Peter Quilter
by Jim Colleran
14 June 2024
From Maureen Lipman to Meryl Streep: The Story of the Worst Singer in the World
by Peter Quilter
18 August 2016
To see more videos of productions of Glorious!, check out Peter Quilter's Vimeo page.
Videos
Clip from the Fulton Opera House production
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Austrian premiere of Glorious!
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 ...