A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Philanthropist

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  3w, 4m

"A very witty comedy. A good evening of high class theatrical high jinks." - The New York Times

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 4m

Details

Summary
A singular play that begins in the parlor of a professor of philology where two men are listening to a dramatic reading of a third's play. Donald is kind in his remarks; the other, Philip, asserts that he found the play incredible, especially at the point where the protagonist commits suicide. Arguing for credibility, John, the playwright, reenacts the scene again, this time with a live gun, and accidentally blows his brains out. This sets the scene for a gathering with the dead man's fiancee Celia, and vulgar, supercilious novelist Braham Head, who is contemptuous of all work excepting his own. This party ends with the novelist captivating Celia, and even the philanthropist obliging by going to bed with her.

Media

"A very witty comedy. A good evening of high class theatrical high jinks." - The New York Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Christopher Hampton

Christopher Hampton became involved in theatre while studying French and German at Oxford University, and wrote a play in his first year.

The Royal Court's subsequent production was so successful that it transferred to the Comedy Theatre while he was still a student, making hi ...

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