Overview
Synopsis
Nicholas Wright’s The Reporter begins with a suicide note: “I can’t bear it anymore, though I don’t know what it is.” Protagonist Jim Mossman is a successful reporter with the BBC in the prime of his career. He is well-liked, good at what he does, but struggles with his success being somewhat contingent on his remaining closeted about his homosexuality. The play details the events leading up to Jim’s suicide: the coverage of Vietnam; seven unrelated deaths; a relationship with Louis - an erratic and mentally unstable potter who eventually overdoses; and many friendships that are gained and deepened over time. In the end, Jim’s choice to kill himself leaves more questions than answers, but perhaps... that is the point.
Show Information
- Book
- Nicholas Wright
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1997
- Genres
- Drama
- Time & Place
- 1963-1971, east anglia, saigon, london, san francisco
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Nick Hern Books
- Ideal For
- professional theatre, university theatre, community theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Silent |
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
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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