A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Penalty

Short Play, Drama  /  1w, 1m

Stephen Smith

Penalty
by Stephen Smith

In a hotel room in Azerbaijan, Howard wakes up with a monster hangover. Proffering English tea and sympathy is ministry official, Yellena. Slowly, it emerges that Howard, who is to referee an important international football match, has disgraced hims…

Penalty

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    40 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior

Details

Summary

In a hotel room in Azerbaijan, Howard wakes up with a monster hangover. Proffering English tea and sympathy is ministry official, Yellena. Slowly, it emerges that Howard, who is to referee an important international football, has disgraced himself the previous evening at a dinner to welcome the UEFA officials. Or has he ? Yellena plays Howard like a fish, first cajoling then trying to blackmail him into agreeing to award a penalty to the Azerbaijan team at the evening`s match. And just when Howard thinks he`s in control, Yellena springs another surprise...

Award winning two hander in which the author played the role of Howard in the premiere. Inspired by his five year stint as a football referee. Two very strong and satisfying acting roles that keep the audience`s attention right up to the shock ending. In 2012 translated into Romanian and performed by the National Theatre of Bucharest.

History
First performed on March 23rd 2002 at the Sawston, Cambridgeshire Drama Festival.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

As Yellena very charming, believable, innocent so it is no surprise that Howard falls for her and wants to help her. Smart in appearance and able to switch emotions when necessary. At the end very matter of fact when her true identity is revealed. She is a professional actress and a very good one.

Howard believes in rules and doing everything by the book. Very shocked and embarrassed at what he might have done the previous evening. Has unhappy home life and enjoys the attention that Yellena gives him but wants to do the right thing. Is terribly torn with his emotions throughout and deeply shocked and angry when Yellena`s true identity is revealed. At the end depressed and not sure if he wants to go on.

Yellena needs to be able to have a convincing russian accent.

Howard needs to look reasonably fit with a playing age of no more than early forties.

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 40 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Mild Adult Themes

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: £30 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith started writing plays in 1985 and has so far had fifteen published. He either directs or appears in every play and has won numerous Best New Play Awards. His plays have been produced not only throughout the UK but in many overseas countries as well, with Parentc ...

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