A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Nature of Captivity

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Matthew Paul Olmos

Winner! 2011 BBC Top Prize of the Americas
In part one, a put'upon family is run from their home by a settlement of people. In part two, a settlement of people get a surprise guest while simply trying to run a put'upon family from their home.

The Nature of Captivity

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2011 BBC Top Prize of the Americas

Details

Summary

Inspired by the Dog Catcher Riots. In part one, a put'upon family is run from their home by a settlement of people. In part two, a settlement of people get a surprise guest while simply trying to run a put'upon family from their home.

History

The Nature of Captivity was first presented as a workshop production as part of Mabou Mines/SUITE Resident Artist Program at Performance Space 122 in New York City in March 2011. It was directed by Victor Malana Maog. Mentored by Ruth Maleczech and Terry O'Reilly, Mabou Mines Co-Artistic Directors

Keywords
Performing Groups
1st Act
JUSTUS - the alpha
NELLIE – the one that needs protectin’
LULU – the one always out the house
GOOCH – in love with Lulu

2nd Act
JUSTIN - same actor as Justus
ELEANOR - same actress as Nellie
LUCY - same actress as Lulu
GOON - same actor as Gooch

The actors in the first act play differerent, but related characters, in the second act. 

  • Time Period Not Applicable
  • Additional Features Stage Combat
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language

Media

"In this fascinating and intelligent play we are not given shades of grey, but absolute force being punched through defeating utterly last survivors. In the first act a quartet of actors are a makeshift family who are tyrannized by incoming settlers. In the second act the play inverts with the same actors playing the settlers. We know they are the same people. Now they drive the grinding machines that once were out to kill them.

This world is a firefight with explosions of laughter and outbreaks of kindness in the relentless progression of destruction and survival at any cost.

Everyone brings their own story to The Nature of Captivity with the feeling we are in the presence of the deepest of secrets." - Terry O'Reilly, Co-Artistic Director, Mabou Mines

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Matthew Paul Olmos

Matthew Paul Olmos

Matthew Paul Olmos is a Mexican-American playwright who focuses his work on the creation of space for marginalized and underrepresented communities. While always personal, his work is aimed at reaching across sociopolitical boundaries, showing the ridiculous of how separate o ...

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