Absurd Person Singular (1972)

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World Premiere: 26 June 1972
Venue: Theatre in the Round at the Library Theatre, Scarborough
London Premiere: 14 July 1973
Venue: Criterion Theatre, London
New York Premiere: 8 October 1974
Venue: Music Box Theatre

Play Number: 12
Published: Samuel French, Vintage Classics
Other Media: Television; Radio

Short Synopsis: Set in three kitchens over three Christmases, the play charts the relentless rise of the socially aspiring Hopcrofts at the expense of two other couples.

Availability
Amateur: Apply to Concord Theatricals.
Professional: Apply to Casarotto Ramsay.

Absurd Person Singular quote
"I mean, this may sound ridiculous, but I've never to this day really known what most women think about anything. Completely closed book to me. I mean, God bless them, what would we do without them? But I've never understood them."

Writing Absurd Person Singular

An accompanying website looks at archival discoveries in 2022 which altered the understanding of how Absurd Person Singular developed and was written. This website - produced in conjunction with the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York - can be accessed by clicking the button.

Writing The Play

All research and original material in the Absurd Person Singular section of Alan Ayckbourn's Official Website is by Simon Murgatroyd M.A. and copyright of Haydonning Ltd. All other material is copyright of the named copyright holder. Please do not reproduce any material without permission of the copyright holder. For enquiries, email: archive@alanayckbourn.net

This section of the website is dedicated to Jeannie Swales.