Unhanging
Jamie Lakritz
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 2
Duration: 40 mins approx
Jamie Lakritz | Drama | One Act | 2m
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
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In 1996, on the opening night of an exhibition, Simon wanders into an art gallery feeling like an impostor. He knows nothing about art, but a single, monumental painting stops him in his tracks: Helen Embleton’s ‘Supersedure’. His raw, emotional reaction to the piece catches the attention of Nick, the Gallery’s Director of Collections, sparking an unlikely connection. This chance encounter is the catalyst for a life-changing love story between Simon and the painting's unseen artist, Helen, and a deep, enduring friendship between Simon and Nick.
Over more than two decades, the Gallery’s Jarman Room becomes the backdrop for the pivotal moments in their lives. We witness Simon's nervous proposal to Helen on the eve of a new millennium, and the quiet evolution of his bond with Nick, built on shared moments in front of Helen's masterpiece. The painting remains a constant, a silent observer to love, celebration, and the inevitable passage of time.
However, the art world is unforgiving. As tastes change and new talents emerge, Helen’s work begins to be replaced, a painful reflection of the painting’s own title, which represents an older queen bee being replaced by a younger one. As Helen battles a degenerative illness, Simon confronts Nick, whose professional obligations clash with his personal loyalty. The play powerfully explores the struggle for relevance, the pain of being left behind, and the quiet dignity of facing loss.
'Unhanging' is a poignant, funny, and deeply human story that culminates in a final, quiet farewell. It examines how art intersects with our lives, shaping our relationships and defining our memories. It is a meditation on love, friendship, and grief, asking what truly lasts - in art and in life-long after the lights in the gallery have been turned off and the walls are bare.
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