Overview
Synopsis
Nadia, a Yale professor and former war correspondent, travels with her fiancé, Philip, to England to visit with his reclusive father, Oliver. A doctor and serial philanderer, Oliver welcomes the young couple to his remote home near the Welsh border. Throughout their stay, Nadia and Oliver engage in passionate discussions about love, death, marriage, family, and politics. Through these conversations, Nadia is forced to reevaluate her staunch beliefs and her relationship with Philip. Meanwhile, Philip struggles to balance his estranged relationship with his father and his blossoming relationship with Nadia. Examining the contradictions of personal philosophies and public politics, David Hare’s The Vertical Hour is an excellent choice for a small cast and a great star female vehicle,
Show Information
- Book
- David Hare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2006
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- Shropshire, UK and Yale University, 2010s
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.