A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Brute

Short Play, Comedy  /  1w, 2m

Mrs. Popoff, widow of a landowner, has vowed never to remarry and abjures the company of men forever. Then Smirnoff, one of her late husband’s creditors, forces himself into her presence. He’s had some little experience with women and also sworn off love. So...

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 2m
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
    • UIL Approved
    • Competition or audition material

Details

Summary
Mrs. Popoff, widow of a landowner, has vowed never to remarry and abjures the company of men forever. Then Smirnoff, one of her late husband’s creditors, forces himself into her presence. He’s had some little experience with women and also sworn off love. So – they seem groomed for quarrelling, and they do, to the point where the anti-feminist Smirnoff challenges her to a duel. To his surprise and delight – she accepts. The misogynist creditor suddenly becomes a suitor, and by the end it’s realized Mrs. Popoff’s widowhood is also about to end.

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Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance

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Authors

Eric Bentley

Eric Bentley was born in England in 1916, became an American citizen in 1948, in 1998 was inducted into the (American) Theatre Hall of Fame, and in 2011 won a gold medal from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Scholar, critic, teacher, performer, translator and, final ...
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