A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Garden Party

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 4m, 1boy(s)

Jimmie Chinn, Hazel Wyld

The Garden Party
by Hazel Wyld and Jimmie Chinn

It's Richard's seventieth birthday. To his home come his children: Sam, unhappily married; Charlie, a discontented alcoholic; and Ben, whose generosity and sense of fun hide a mystery in his life. With Ben comes an unexpected addition to the party: B…

The Garden Party

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 4m, 1boy(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

THE GARDEN PARTY

The Garden Party focuses on family relationships. It is Richard's seventieth birthday. To his Isle of Wight home come his children - Sam, unhappily married, and bringing her autistic son, Miles; Charlie, a discontented alcoholic with numerous chips on his shoulder; and Ben, whose generosity and sense of fun draw attention away from a mystery at the heart of his life. With Ben arrives Brice, an expected addition to the party and, in some quarters, an unwelcome one: for Brice was the first husband of Richard's wife, Jan, and is the real father to her children. The scene is set for a day and a night of revelations, arguments and moments of tenderness as the family seeks to resolve its difficulties and to put the past behind all of its members.       

The play was written as a collaboration between two wonderful writers - Jimmie Chinn and Hazel Wyld.

History

The play was first presented by Teddington Theatre Club at Hampton Hill Playhouse on the 12th of June 1999 - and enjoyed a special Gala Performance in the presence of HRH Princess Alexandra on the 15th June 1999.

Keywords
Performing Groups
M4 (30s, 50s-70) F4 (30s-70s), 1 boy.
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting A garden of an old house on the Isle of Wight - and it is summer.
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

'' The two writers have such distinct personalities but the result combined their talents in ways which were truly complimentary. The seams were unnoticeable even though the fingerprints of each author could be recognized in a turn of phrase or the presentation of the strong characters...I hope that other companies will take up the challenge of this far from easy but deeply attractive and moving play.'' Middlesex Chronicle

''There is laughter of recognition from the audience for this dysfunctional family...A highly enjoyable, often very funny, sometimes touching, play.'' Richmond and Twickenham Times

 

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:
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Authors

Jimmie Chinn

Jimmie Chinn

James 'Jimmie' Chinn was born in Middleton, Lancashire on March 30th 1940 - the only son of his beloved mother, Edie. His early years, although not always easy, were to shape his writing in the future, and this often difficult time compounded his determination to achieve grea ...

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Author

Hazel Wyld

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