POE

A play by John Hardy

Production Details

The play is boldly theatrical; non-literal with heightened language. The play can be performed with as few as five actors or as many as fifteen. Sets, props and costumes are minimal. Poe can be performed as a full-length play with intermission, or, in one-act. Running time without intermission: approximately 75 minutes. POE is recommended for general audiences, junior high school age and above.

About the Play

THE PLAY consists of two adaptations of Poe's work with a prologue, epilogue and transition which integrate the life of Poe with the work of Poe. The two adaptations are:

• WILLIAM WILSON The life of an evil young man who rules those around him with an iron fist. He is foiled by the appearance of another, who shares his name and countenance. He is hounded by this alter ego until he is driven to murder. When he kills his look-alike he finds that he has killed himself.
  
  
• THE TELLTALE HEART A servant believes he is stalked by the pale, blue eye of his master. Driven to near insanity, he attempts to relieve his torment by taking the life of his innocent master. After the deed is done, the man finds that the master's heart continues to beat beneath the floorboards where the body has been entombed. The police investigate and the increasing volume of the dead man's heart drives the servant to confession.
  
  

Royalty Fees

FULL LENGTH PLAYS (running time of over one hour)

• First two performances: $75 each
• Subsequent performances: $50 each

ONE ACT PLAYS

• First two performances: $50 each
• Subsequent performances: $30 each