A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Mourners' Bench

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 2m

George Brant

An emotional puzzle-play that skips back and forth in time as it tells the story of a living room and its three sets of inhabitants, all struggling to overcome the tragedy that took place within its walls.

The Mourners' Bench

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

An emotional puzzle-play that skips back and forth in time as it tells the story of a living room and its three sets of inhabitants, all struggling to overcome the tragedy that took place within its walls.

History

The Mourners' Bench premiered at Trinity Repertory Company, in Providence, Rhode Island in March of 2012, under the direction of Michael Perlman.

Keywords
Performing Groups

MELISSA - early 30’s, tightly wound, a survivor

BOBBY - two years younger than Melissa, alcoholic, childish, occasionally maudlin 

WILMA - mid-30’s, a kind woman, feels everything deeply

CAROLINE - early 40’s, direct force of nature, attractive in a severe way

SARAH - late 40’s - early 50’s, deeply in love, glows despite ill health

JOE - 50’s, deeply in love, generous, understanding

All pairs of characters share a common emotional language.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, 1990s
  • Setting

    A living room. 

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission, Stage Combat
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language

Media

“Shattering…hypnotic…a poetic, evocative play that manages to pack an emotional punch. Its construction is almost as masterful as its dialogue.” - The Providence Journal

"First-rate...a gleaming gem...haunting." - The Boston Globe

“Remarkable…a breathtaking piece of modern American theater…explosive…a must see.” – The Sun Chronicle

“Powerful...an exquisitely performed sonata…why regional repertory theaters came to exist in the first place.” – Providence Phoenix

“Touchingly humorous…absorbing and thought provoking…will stay in your memory.” – The Woonsocket Call

“Brilliant…seldom does a new play come along that challenges the audience in such a positive, thoughtful way.” – Warwick Beacon

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

George Brant

George Brant

George Brant’s plays include Grounded, Marie and Rosetta, Into the Breeches!, The Prince of Providence, Elephant’s Graveyard, The Land of Oz, Tender Age, The Mourners’ Bench, Any Other Name, Salvage and Grizzly Mama. An Affiliate Writer at the Playwrights’ Center, his scripts ...

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