A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Nightingales

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 2m

The Nightingales
by Peter Quilter

"A heartwarming play, effervescent and witty, yet also with depth ... The highlight of the season" - The Epoch Times
“Comedy, satire, and a happy ending that pulls out all the stops" - The Express

It is the 1950s and this charming comedy introduces the Nightingales, members of a theatrical family who perform more at home than they d…

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

It is the 1950s and this charming comedy introduces the Nightingales, members of a theatrical family who perform more at home than they do on the stage. Jack is a cabaret star, as in love with his piano as he is with his silk dressing gowns. His parents, Charlie and Beatrice, are old Music Hall stars, full of hilarious tales of life on the road. Maggie performs with Jack in the evenings and regularly visits his house to rehearse, drink tea, and tell the sorry tale of her latest romantic disaster. If only she and Jack realized that their true love was right in front of them. The sudden arrival of Charlie and Beatrice, asking to stay with Jack for a few days, throws his and Maggie's lives into chaos. They promise to be gone by Christmas, but this provides little comfort given that it is only January 7th!
Jack's housekeeper Geraldine copes masterfully with the ensuing disruption, but then Beatrice unexpectedly disappears. It seems that this was not a simple visit, but an opportunity for her to leave Charlie and run off to another liaison in France. The question is, will anyone find their true love? Are there such things as happy endings? And what do performers do once the spotlight goes out? This is a very funny, touching showbusiness comedy, bursting with one-liners and lovable characters.

History
Premiere in Bonn, Germany December 2011, followed by productions in the UK, Australia, USA and Canada.
JACK - 40s/50s.
MAGGIE - 40s/50s.
CHARLIE - Jack's father, 60s/70s.
BEATRICE - Jack's mother, 60s/70s.
GERALDINE - Jack's housekeeper, 30s/40s.
  • Time Period 1950s
  • Setting

    The living room of the theatrical Nightingale family, 1950s.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"A heartwarming play, effervescent and witty, yet also with depth ... The highlight of the season"             - The Epoch Times

“Comedy, satire, and a happy ending that pulls out all the stops" - The Express

"Enthusiastic applause greeted this charming showbusiness comedy filled with dry laconic humour,    lovable crazy fun, and a touching dash of nostalgia" -  General Anzeiger

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

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

Scripts

Available Formats:

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 ...

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