Benefactors (play)
Encyclopedia
Benefactors is a 1984 play by Michael Frayn
. It is set in the 1960s and concerns an idealistic architect David and his wife Jane and their relationship with the cynical Colin and his wife Sheila. David is attempting to build some new homes to replace the slum housing of Basuto Road and is gradually forced by circumstances into building skyscrapers despite his initial aversion to these. This is set against the backdrop of 1960s new housing projects. Sheila becomes his secretary but it is unclear if she is helping him or the other way around. As the title of the play suggests it is about helping people and explores some of the difficulties inherent in this or in being helped.
Awards
Nominations
. It stars Heather E. Cunningham, David Ian Lee, Matthew Semler and Kristen Vaughan.
Michael Frayn
Michael J. Frayn is an English playwright and novelist. He is best known as the author of the farce Noises Off and the dramas Copenhagen and Democracy...
. It is set in the 1960s and concerns an idealistic architect David and his wife Jane and their relationship with the cynical Colin and his wife Sheila. David is attempting to build some new homes to replace the slum housing of Basuto Road and is gradually forced by circumstances into building skyscrapers despite his initial aversion to these. This is set against the backdrop of 1960s new housing projects. Sheila becomes his secretary but it is unclear if she is helping him or the other way around. As the title of the play suggests it is about helping people and explores some of the difficulties inherent in this or in being helped.
Awards and nominations
Awards
- 1984 Evening Standard Award for Best Play
- 1984 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play
- 1984 Plays and Players London Theatre Critics Award for Best Play
- 1986 New York Drama Critics' CircleNew York Drama Critics' CircleThe New York Drama Critics' Circle is made up of 24 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization was founded in 1935 at the Algonquin Hotel by a group that included Brooks Atkinson, Walter Winchell, and Robert Benchley...
Award for Best Foreign Play
Nominations
- 1986 Drama Desk Award for Best Play
- 1986 Tony Award for Best Play
Productions
The most recent revival of this play is opening November 3, 2010 in New York City. It is being produced by the Off-Off Broadway company Retro ProductionsRetro Productions
Retro Productions is a New York City based Off-Off-Broadway theater company. It's artistic director is Heather E. Cunningham, an actress and producer whose performance as Cheryl in the Retro production Still Life by Emily Mann was recently named a Performance to Remember, 2007 by Marc Miller of...
. It stars Heather E. Cunningham, David Ian Lee, Matthew Semler and Kristen Vaughan.