REVIEW:
“The Summer Display was the standout of the evening. A woman plants her window box and repairs her life as her husband desperately searches for the neighbours’ dog that has gone missing. The mild mannered English lady covers her seeds and a possibly dastardly deed. The performances were subtle, poignant and very funny. (5 hearts)” aussietheatre.com.
SYNOPSIS:
Humphrey thinks gardening is a harmless pastime, but he has no idea what his wife, Prudence, is about to dig up. – On a personal note, this is one of my favourites.
CHARACTERS:
Humphrey: M, 50s
Prudence: F, 50s
SETTING:
Their garden in Kent, England. One of those pleasant, late March days. Perfect for gardening.
RUNNING TIME:
10 Minutes
PRODUCTION HISTORY:
Short + Sweet, Sydney – Joint First Place, Jury Selection
Off Cut Festival, London
Duncan Armitage as Humphrey, in Sydney
SAMPLE DIALOGUE:
Prudence at a flower bed, digging and turning over soil. Humphrey enters.
HUMPHREY: Prudence-
PRUDENCE: Be a pet, and pass me those pansies, would you, Humphrey?
HUMPHREY: I’ve lost the dog.
PRUDENCE: Those pansies there. The purple ones.
HUMPHREY: These?
PRUDENCE: The purple-
HUMPHREY: Ah-
PRUDENCE: (Disapproving) That’s mauve.
HUMPHREY: The dog?
Robert Gill in London Production
Rehearsal Room
Theatre
