This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Not sure where to start? Discover all our scripts

Talk to one of our experts here

Thank you for purchasing with Stagescripts

Shopping basket 0

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Products

Need help? Contact our team here

Pair with
Subtotal Free
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

Long Away And Far Ago

Robert Sheppard

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 8

Duration: 50 mins approx

Robert Sheppard | Drama | One Act | 4m, 4f

Short synopsis

A modern one-act family drama where long hidden secrets come to light over a celebratory meal. The father runs a failing businesses started by his wife’s ex-husband who died years ago in an unsolved hit-and-run incident. Who knew what and when? What secrets are being held back from the children? Complete with a 'Greek Tragedy' style chorus that adds weight and solemnity, and a sense of the inevitable.

The Cornish family are having a dinner to celebrate Edward and Joanna’s Silver Wedding anniversary. Their children – Edwin, Paul, Isobel and Anne – are all there for what is a rare family get-together. 

Edward is the chief executive of Lacey Hotels, a company founded by Joanna’s previous husband Rex Lacey, who was killed in an unsolved hit-and-run accident many years previously.  Also present is Charles Terris, an old family friend and Edward’s business consultant. The business has started to decline. Edwin, the eldest son, has no interest in carrying it on and Paul has joined a competitor. 

As the evening wears on, family conflicts become more intense and revelations about the past gradually come to light, partially fuelled by Charles’s somewhat sinister interventions.  Isobel and Ann respond in very different ways as the story unfolds and Joanna breaks down at the exposure of secrets long kept suppressed, with dramatic results. 

In the style of a Greek tragedy, there is also a Chorus on stage throughout the play who comment on the action but do not interact with the main characters, who remain oblivious to their shadowy presence. 

(4m, 4f)

  • Edward Cornish - 45, chief executive of Lacey Hotels
  • Joanna Cornish - 60, his wife, the widow of Rex Lacey
  • Edwin Cornish - 24, their elder son
  • Paul Cornish - 22, their younger son
  • Isobel Cornish - 20, their elder daughter
  • Ann Cornish - 18, their younger daughter
  • Charles Terris - 60s, a family friend
  • The Remembrancer - an older woman
  • The Watchers - men and women of any age
Type
Free

Applying for and paying royalties

To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.

To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.

[{"variant_id":"55495370965378" , "metafield_value":""}]

Long Away And Far Ago

Free
More information

If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Frequently asked questions

Can we try before we buy?

Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.

All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material  which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.

Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.

Do we need a Licence To Perform?

The simple answer is, yes.

Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.

Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?

When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.

Need help?

Contact us

If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Established for over 25 years

Unearthing future talent


Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.

We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.