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Six strangers find themselves in an airport VIP departures lounge. Gradually we learn more about each of them, but as the play progresses it becomes clear that none of them can remember where they’re going. As the play approaches its climax, it becomes clear that the situation is not at all what it had seemed.

Departures

Robert Sheppard

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 6

Duration: 45 mins approx

Robert Sheppard | Drama | One Act | 3m, 3f

Short synopsis

Six strangers find themselves in an airport VIP departures lounge. Gradually we learn more about each of them, but as the play progresses it becomes clear that none of them can remember where they’re going. As the play approaches its climax, it becomes clear that the situation is not at all what it had seemed.

Brian, a faded clerk, Molly, a nervous retired schoolteacher, Paula, a doctor. Dennis, a flashy salesman, Emma, a girl in an abusive relationship and Jack, a businessman, variously arrive in an airport VIP departures lounge. They are all strangers to each other and the relationships between them are, at first, brittle and edgy. We learn something of the background for each of them, but when a mysterious announcement from the PA tells them that their journey has been delayed, and they discover they are locked in, the situation begins to take a more sinister turn. And then it becomes clear that none of them can actually remember where they’re going. As each struggles with this strange revelation, their individual stories gradually come to light, and the reality of the situation becomes blindingly clear both to the characters and the audience.

(3m, 3f)

  • Brian - middle-aged (m)
  • Emma - early 20s (f)
  • Molly - mid to late 40s (f)
  • Dennis - 30s (m)
  • Paula - about 40 (f)
  • Jack - mid 50s (m)
Type
Free

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Departures

Free
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