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Love Is A Four Letter Word

Janet Shaw

Genre: Black Comedy

Cast size: 14

Duration: Two Act

Janet Shaw | Black Comedy | Full-length | 5m, 5f, 1m/3f support

Short synopsis

Dave lusts after Jackie. Jackie yearns for romance. Jackie's mother yearns for perfection. Dave's mates lend a helping hand (or they interfere - depending on your viewpoint). The play stares the serious and sensitive subjects of marriage, relationships and responsibility firmly in the face, and doesn't blink or take a step backwards.

The play stares the serious and sensitive subjects of marriage, relationships and responsibility firmly in the face, and doesn't blink or take a step backwards.

Based loosely on the break-up of the writers own marriage, it graphically tells the tale of womanising Dave Marshall and his relationship with the virginal Jackie Simpson. With more than a little help from his friends, Dave manages to pull Jackie, to be followed in quick succession by marriage and a baby.

Dave strays with his boss (Linda), misses the birth of his first child whilst playing darts at the pub, and very quickly their marriage is headed for the rocks. He thinks and acts one way, Jackie expects and wants something quite different.

'Love Is A Four Letter Word' is written from a woman's point of view. It is at times subtle, is mostly 'in your face', but at all times it's very funny.

(5m, 5f + 1m/3f support)

  • Maddie- a pub barmaid.
  • Dave- mid 20's, a mans' man, has little understanding of women
  • Jackie- early 20's, Dave's girlfriend, then wife
  • Carol- early 20's, Jackie's friend
  • Jean- 45-55, Jackie's mother
  • Arthur- 50-60, Jackie's father
  • Alan- mid-20's, Dave's friend, always up for a laugh
  • Stuart- mid-20's, Dave's friend, also always up for a laugh
  • Geoff- mid-20's, Dave's friend, more serious and thoughtful
  • Linda- mid 30's, Dave's assertive boss, attractive (and she knows it)
  • Girl Dancer - non-speaking, 'strippergram'-type
  • Girl 1 - non-speaking, Alan's girlfriend
  • Girl 2 - non-speaking, Stuart's girlfriend
  • A Man - an effeminate male

Free

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Love Is A Four Letter Word

Free
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