

The Dreamer Examines His Pillow
John Patrick Shanley
In Dreams , two very unlikely individuals become aware of each other and eventually come to fear each other by means of their very real nightmares and daydreams.
A young lawyer awakens in terror and dread.
He has been in an abandoned building; a sadistic policeman was beating him, demanding to know where he had hidden the stolen drugs.
The woman at his side, who says she is his wife, the mother of his two children, comforts him.
She says, "It was just a dream."
A moment later, a young drug addict awakens in throbbing pain.
His wounds from a beating are being tended to by a man who says he is his friend.
The drug addict tells him about the woman and the two children.
The friend says, "It is just a dream."
Which is a dream?
Which is reality?
What is truth?
What is illusion?
What is their connection?
As the play unfolds, their lives become more and more entwined, leading to a final gripping encounter.
"When intermission time came, no one in the audience wanted to leave their seat.” - Star Sentinel“Mystery duel...with a touch of chill.” - Chicago Sun Times“...extremely clever melodrama...ingenious...a cracking good puzzle..."
— Chicago Daily News“...unusual, imaginative and potent.” - WFMT, Chicago
| Character |
|---|
| DAVID TAGGART an ex-drug user, a dreamer |
| DAVID ROSS an attorney, a dreamer |
| MEREDITH Taggart’s sister / FRAN - Ross’s wife |
| PEPITO Taggart’s best friend, also an ex-drug user / JACK - Ross’s best friend, an attorney |
| ANITA Taggart’s mistress / BECKY - Ross’s secretary |
| SLIGO a rogue policeman / PEMBERTON - a psychiatrist |
| BLACKMAN a drug pusher / CHARLIE BISHOP - an attorney |
Dreams (Sharkey) is a play written by Tom Sharkey and published by Samuel French .
No community reviews yet
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
Apply for RightsPlays with similar themes, style, and content.
More plays from Tom Sharkey that we think you'll enjoy.