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Overview

Synopsis

At almost five hours long, Eugene O’Neill’s epic nine-act play is one of his most experimental pieces, using regular soliloquies to delve into each characters’ psychology. It depicts 25 years of the life of Nina Leeds and the important men within it. As a young woman, Nina loses her beloved fiancé during World War I. Nina subsequently blames both herself and her father for failing to marry him before he left and therefore consummate the marriage. In an effort to rid herself of guilt, she throws herself into the arms of every man she comes across until finally entering a loveless marriage with Sam Evans. While pregnant with Sam’s child, Nina learns that insanity runs in the Evans family. She takes the decision to abort their child and quickly falls pregnant once more, this time by her friend and physician Ned Darrell. Nina’s marriage continues with Sam believing the child to be his, but behind closed doors Nina and Ned embark on a passionate affair. When Sam dies, Nina chooses not to marry Ned but instead finally fulfills the wishes of her most ardent supporter and admirer, Charles Marsden, who honestly believes that he has finally won her heart. The play ends with Nina’s description of life as simply a “strange interlude” that occurs between birth and death.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
9
First Produced
1928
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
New England, New York, 1920s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Charles Marsden

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Nina Leeds

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Edmund 'Ned' Darrell

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Professor Henry Leeds

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Sam Evans

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Amos Evans

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Gordon Evans

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Madeline Arnold

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Songs

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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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

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Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher