A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Arthur and Esther

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  1w, 1m

A play of two worlds. This elemental and affecting two-hander explores love, its loss, and the lives we inherit and impose on others.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    75 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

In the wake of public spending cuts, Arthur wrestles with the methods set out in Montgomery Swank’s "28 Ways to Terminate Your Existence and Questions You May Have", the one book he has salvaged from the closure of his beloved library.

In the wake of her own death, his wife Esther reconciles the ghosts of the past with a hope for the future.

A play of two worlds. This elemental and affecting two-hander explores love, its loss, and the lives we inherit and impose on others.

British playwright Ross Howard is an Edward F. Albee Foundation Fellow.

History

First performed at The Studio at Cherry Lane Theatre, New York.

**A US version of the script is available to perform. **

ARTHUR HUEY – Long-serving community librarian. Mid 50s.
ESTHER HUEY – His wife in life. Now deceased and eternally youthful. Mid 20s

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 75 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS

"Howard's script sprints along with observation and humor... this is a special script..."- Las Vegas Review Journal

“ ….full of both outrageous dark comedy and deep sincerity….an ultimately compelling night of theatre” - nytheatre.com

"Their story is tragic, but is told with warmth and hope. The language is poetic with hauntingly beautiful rhythms that capture the spectator's imagination with vivid imagery." - Theatre Is Easy

Videos

  • Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Ross Howard

Ross Howard's work has been seen in London (Theatre 503, Old Vic Tunnels, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Riverside Studios, Menier Gallery, Old Red Lion, Park Theatre, Finborough Theatre, Canal Cafe Theatre, Southwark Playhouse), New York City (Cherry Lane Theatre, Theatre Row, A ...
View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences