A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Living Room in Africa

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 4m

"Ms. Doran has mapped out a situation worthy of a Conrad or Naipul novel." - The New York Times

"Bathsheba Doran's direct, thought-provoking Living Room in Africa
aims to shine the flickering light of Western attention on the
so-called Dark Continent, and especially on the suffering wrought there
by AIDS." - Time Out New York"

Living Room in Africa

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 4m
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary
Childhood friends, Edward and Marie, have moved to a village in Africa while Edward is setting up a museum there with money from the West. Within weeks it becomes apparent that they have moved to an area devastated by AIDS. Questions about their own personal and political responsibilities become impossible to ignore and as Edward becomes increasingly anxious to leave, Marie makes the unexpected decision to stay there without him. When news of Edward's imminent departure reaches Anthony, the African contractor for the gallery, he goes to beg Edward, for the last time, to help him escape to America, forcing the couple into a final analysis of what their experience in Africa means to them, and what they mean to each other.
History

Living Room in Africa premiered at Gloucester Stage in Gloucester, MA in August 2005 under the direction of Danny Goldstein.

MARIE - late twenties/early thirties
EDWARD - late twenties/ early thirties
MARK -  mid twenties
ANTHONY - mid twenties
NSUGO - late twenties/early thirties
MICHAEL LEE - early sixties


  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting Africa
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS

"Ms. Doran has mapped out a situation worthy of a Conrad or Naipul novel." - The New York Times

"Bathsheba Doran's direct, thought-provoking Living Room in Africa aims to shine the flickering light of Western attention on the so-called Dark Continent, and especially on the suffering wrought there by AIDS." -Time Out New York

"Definitely a writer worth watching, starting with this play." - CurtainUp

"Doran is a terrific playwright who never resorts to sermonizing. Moreover, her attention to character and detail is excellent." -TheaterMania

Videos

  • Bathsheba Doran on Living Room in Africa youtube thumbnail

    Bathsheba Doran on Living Room in Africa

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

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Authors

Bathsheba Doran

Bathsheba Doran’s play THE MYSTERY OF LOVE AND SEX received its world premiere at Lincoln Center this spring under the direction of Sam Gold, starring Diane Lane and Tony Shalhoub. Her critically acclaimed play KIN received its world premiere in spring 2011 at Playwrights Hor ...
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