Overview
Synopsis
Amy’s View takes the audience on a tense and emotional journey between a strong mother and her loving daughter. Beginning in 1979, Amy Thomas finds herself caught between a mother she adores, but who also represents the past, and Dominic, the problematic love of her life and questionable symbol of the future. Esme Allen is a well-known West End actress who is navigating the moment when the West End’s theatres are failing to offer actors a regular way of life. Her introduction to Dominic during a visit sets in motion a running argument about the value of the arts which becomes inextricably bound up with marital relations, love, fidelity, and integrity. Amy’s View is a powerhouse of a play demanding two tour-de-force performances from its female leads.
Show Information
- Book
- David Hare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1997
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Berkshire, London, 1979-1995
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Small Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult, Elderly Characters
Context
Amy’s View premiered at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre in June 1997. Judie Dench led the cast as Esme, supported by Samantha Bond, Eoin McCarthy, and Ronald Pickup. The production was directed by Richard Eyre and subsequently transferred to the Aldwych Theatrein the West End. Amy’s View was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Play, but lost out to Patrick Marber’s Closer. Dench was also nominated for her performance.
Amy’s View opened on Broadway at the Ethel Merman
to read the context for Amy's View and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The play opens in 1979. Amy and her boyfriend, Dominic, have come to visit her mother, Esme. Esme is performing on stage in London and Amy is amazed to hear that she comes home to Berkshire every evening by taxi. While they wait, Dominic tinkers with an old bicycle he has found and Amy’s grandmother, Evelyn, bustles in and out. Evelyn cross-examines Dominic in the way that only old ladies can, and openly asks Amy if she is sure she is with the right man. As they chat, we are told
to read the plot for Amy's View and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
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:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher