Oleanna
by David Mamet

Name: Oleanna
Brand: David Mamet
SKU: 9780413626202
Rating: 3.61 (9482 reviews)

BroadwayOff-BroadwayWest End

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

75 mins1990sStrong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)Interior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican

What readers are saying

Readers have mixed feelings about the play's intensity and themes. Many appreciate the powerful dialogue and its exploration of complex dynamics between the two characters. However, some find the writing frustrating and believe it lacks clarity in its messaging. Overall, it sparks debates and reflections on gender and power dynamics, though not all responses are positive.

Powerful themes of gender and powerIntriguing dialogue that sparks discussionChallenging and thought-provokingStrong character dynamicsFrustrating writing styleCharacters can be unlikableConfusing narrative at times

Synopsis

"An ear for reproducing everyday language has long been David Mamet's hallmark and he has now employed it to skewer the dogmatic, puritannical streak which has become commonplace on and off the campus.

With Oleanna he continues an exploration of male-female conflicts begun with Sexual Perversity in Chicago in 1974.

Oleanna cogently demonstrates that when free thought and dialogue are imperilled, nobody wins."

(Michael Wise, Independent) In Oleanna "John and Carol go to it with hand-to hand combat that amounts to a primal struggle for power.

As usual with Mamet, the vehicle for that combat is crackling, highly distilled dialogue unencumbered by literary frills or phony theatrical ones."

(Frank Rich, International Herald Tribune)

ThemesAmerican Drama