Overview
Synopsis
Inadmissible Evidence is arguably John Osborne’s most personal play, written at a time when he was governed by fear and anxiety. The play revolves around Bill Maitland, a seedy, sex-obsessed lawyer in middle-aged meltdown. Plagued by neurotic headaches and endlessly searching for pills that he can never find, Bill is Osborne’s Everyman coming apart in the dawn of new technologies and hopelessly trying to figure out his place in the world. As the play opens, Bill is trapped on trial in the courtroom of his own mind for the terrible crime that is his own mediocre existence. He has come to realize that his life is an utter disaster. He is bored with the family he has created and the women he keeps on the side, and the sordid divorce cases that dominate his flatlining career. His cruelty towards them and his colleagues brings justice upon his head when he is ultimately abandoned by everyone who shares his life in some way.
Both compelling and provocative, Inadmissible Evidence shows us a man in the midst of tearing apart his own life and unable (and unwilling) to put it back together. It is a challenging role for a lead male actor to get their teeth into, with many lengthy monologues throughout the play.
Show Information
- Book
- John Osborne
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1964
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A lawyer's office, England, 1964
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
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:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher