Audience
by Michael Frayn

Name: Audience
Brand: Michael Frayn
SKU: 9780573620683
Rating: 3.05 (23 reviews)

Highlights

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Large Cast

Female

Male

One Act60 minsPresent DayEnsemble CastInterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican Comedy

Why we like it

"Michael Frayn's 'Audience' cleverly examines the relationship between performers and their audience, blurring the lines between reality and performance."

From: Satirical Plays

What readers are saying

Readers have mixed feelings about the play. Some find it hilarious and appreciate its commentary on audiences in the 60s, while others struggle to connect with it and feel disappointed compared to the playwright's previous work.

Hilarious commentaryFunny to watchBest when seen liveConfusing to readDisappointing compared to NOISES OFF

Synopsis

This amusing satire about audiences by the author of Noises Off, Copenhagen and other acclaimed plays takes place in the stalls (orchestra) of a West End theatre.

The cast includes an usherette, audience members and a playwright in agony over crinkling candy wrappers, talking out loud, and inattention to his play.

The characters in Michael Frayns metatheatrical comedy are actually watching the audience, expecting them to perform, and comedy ensues as Frayn holds a mirror up to the audience and they see their our own foibles as audience members.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Joan An elderly woman taken to see a show by her daughter Helena.	female	—	An elderly woman taken to see a show by her daughter Helena.
Helena A woman in her thirties or forties taking her mother Joan out to see a play.	female	—	A woman in her thirties or forties taking her mother Joan out to see a play.
Charles A very suave man who is taking his girlfriend Amanda out on a date to the theater.	male	—	A very suave man who is taking his girlfriend Amanda out on a date to the theater.
Amanda A very beautiful woman who is being taken on a date with her boy friend Charles to the theater while her husband is in Germany.	female	—	A very beautiful woman who is being taken on a date with her boy friend Charles to the theater while her husband is in Germany.
Quentin A man who enjoys going to the theater and only came to see this show in order to see this one actor he adores.	male	—	A man who enjoys going to the theater and only came to see this show in order to see this one actor he adores.
Lee Quinton's protégé, he is taking AP Drama and has to sit through a play with Quinton.	male	—	Quinton's protégé, he is taking AP Drama and has to sit through a play with Quinton.
Merrill A senile old man that cannot help but fall asleep all the time.	—	—	A senile old man that cannot help but fall asleep all the time.
Bobbie Merrill's elderly wife who spends most of her time and energy keeping her husband in line.	female	—	Merrill's elderly wife who spends most of her time and energy keeping her husband in line.
The Usherette An Usherette who doesn't quite like her job and just tries to get it done with haste.	female	—	An Usherette who doesn't quite like her job and just tries to get it done with haste.