Obituaries

by David Conville

Obituaries had 1 performance over 16 years ago (on the 12th of May 2008) at The Leatherhead Theatre

“Obituaries” was performed on BBC Television in 1992 with Ronnie Fraser and Ian Carmichael in the starring roles.

It is a modern comedy of intrigue where underhand influence is exerted to achieve a purpose. The dialogue is good, with the two main characters well drawn and contrasting. It has a black comedy ending with two tragic deaths making us laugh rather than saddening us. The challenge is to play the piece with pace and rhythm and to contrast the two men and establish a rapport between them. Sound effects are important.

The play is set in 1992 in a Nursing Home for the Retired and the hospital Bedroom in which the action takes place should be well represented and believable.

The title “Obituaries” is explained by virtue of the men playing a game using The Times newspaper as their base. A plot involving a Royal Visit ensues with disaster at the end but not before a lot of fun and nonsense has taken place.

This play is to be presented as part of the Leatherhead Drama Festival during the week of 12th to 17th May 2008. The play will open the adult week of the festival on Monday 12th May at 7pm. The adjudicator for the Festival is Helen E Sharman.

Tickets are £10.00 each but a discount of £2 per ticket can be obtained using discount vouchers available from Gillian Smithies 01344 843251 or gsmithies@toucansurf.com