Barrymore
by William Luce

Barrymore Book Cover
Barrymore Cover

Highlights

90 mins1940s/WWIIStrong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)Interior SetPeriod CostumesAmerican

What readers are saying

Readers find 'Barrymore' to be a compelling exploration of a once-great actor's struggles. The play's dramatic narrative set in the 1940s offers insight into themes of fame and decline. However, some feel the single-character format limits its overall impact.

Engaging portrayal of a legendary actorInteresting historical contextStrong dramatic elementsSingle-character format feels limiting

Synopsis

Christopher Plummer won a Tony for his portrayal of John Barrymore in the acclaimed Broadway production of this work by the master of one-character biographies for the stage.

Press Reviews

"A dazzler! A portrait of riveting complexity and paradox that finds the balletic elegance in a drunken stagger, the poetry in a blue joke and the churning guts in rarefied verse. As [Barrymore] walks toward his own death it's with the jaunty panache of a boulevardier off to meet his new mistress."

— The New York Times

"As good as one-man shows get."

— The New Yorker

"A staggering success [...] Must be seen, must be savored."

— New York Post

"A perfect image of Barrymore."

— New York Daily News

Characters

Character
Prompter

an offstage male voice

John Barrymore

the famed actor

Publication

PublisherSamuel French
Year1998
BindingPaperback
Pages56
LanguageEnglish
ISBN-139780573642401
ISBN-100573642400
LCCN2006471074
LCCPS3562.U254 B37 1998

Barrymore is a American play written by William Luce and published by Samuel French (1998).

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Rating

3.7

29 ratings·3 reviews

Review

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee:Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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