A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

A Single Man

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 3m

Based on the book by Christopher Isherwood
Adapted by Simon Reade

California, 1962. College professor George is grieving the death of his long-term partner Jim. As a middle-aged gay Englishman living in the Los Angeles suburbs, he is an outsider in every way. Haunted by his past and unable to move forward, we follow him on one very ordinary day. But for George, this is going to be a day like no other…

A Single Man

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

“I make myself remember. I am afraid of forgetting. I will have to forget if I want to go on living.”

California, 1962. College professor George is grieving the death of his long-term partner Jim. As a middle-aged gay Englishman living in the Los Angeles suburbs, he is an outsider in every way. Haunted by his past and unable to move forward, we follow him on one very ordinary day. But for George, this is going to be a day like no other…

A Single Man features in the Guardian’s 100 Best Novels Written in English, where it is described as ‘a work of compressed brilliance.’ Known to many through Tom Ford’s film, Christopher Isherwood’s masterpiece is now given a wry and compassionate retelling in Simon Reade’s new adaptation for the stage.

Powerful and sexy, A Single Man is a darkly amusing study of grief, love and loneliness from the celebrated writer of Goodbye to Berlin, the inspiration for Cabaret.

History
This adaptation of A Single Man premiered at Park Theatre on Wednesday, 19 October 2022, produced by Ashley Cook for Troupe Productions Ltd. Directed by Philip Wilson, the production featured Theo Fraser Steele, Olivia Darnley, Miles Molan, Phoebe Pryce and Freddie Gaminara.

The play can be performed by a cast of as few as five:

GEORGE – (Geo, pronounced Jee-oh), 58
CHARLEY – (Charlotte), 45
KENNY POTTER – (Kenneth), 20 / JIM
FEMALE PARAMEDIC / MRS STRUNK – 30s / MARIA / DORIS – 20s
MALE PARAMEDIC / MR STRUNK – (Brad) 35 / ALEX / NURSE / BARTENDER

  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting One Friday and Saturday in Santa Monica, California, November 1962.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Piercing” – The Stage

“Breezy and engaging.” – Attitude

“The text is efficiently riddled with dark humour and sarcasm.” – Broadway World

“Poignantly effective and witty adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s iconic 1964 novel about love, loss and loneliness.” – The Stage

“Intriguing.” – TimeOut

“Simon Reade's stage play is most likely to appeal to anybody who loved the original book.” – WhatsOnStage

“The ending is hugely touching and really quite beautiful as the lights go down.” – Everything Theatre

“An excellent adaptation of a great novel that feels refreshed almost 60 years after it was published.” – Pocket Size Theatre

Videos

  • A Single Man – Park Theatre Teaser Trailer youtube thumbnail

    A Single Man – Park Theatre Teaser Trailer

Licensing & Materials

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

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Christopher Isherwood

Christopher Isherwood
Christopher Isherwood was a novelist, playwright, screen-writer, autobiographer, and diarist. He was homosexual and made this a theme of some of his writing. He was born near Manchester in the north of England in 1904, became a U.S. citizen in 1946, and died at home in Santa ...
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Simon Reade

Simon Reade
Simon Reade has adapted Private Peaceful as an internationally touring award-winning one-man show, for schools and youth theatres, for BBC Radio 4, and as a feature film starring George Mackay and Jack O’Connell. His other Morpurgo adaptations include An Elephant in the Garde ...
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