How to Get Rid of Your Husband, Circa 1910

One-Acts 45

By: Heather Lynn
Cast: 5 M, 5 F, 2 flexible (With doubling: 4 M, 3 F, 1 flexible)
Performance Time: Approximately 45-60 mins, 43 pgs.

COMEDY/DRAMA. Adapted from the plays “The Twelve Pound Look” and “Half an Hour” by J.M. Barrie. In “The Twelve Pound Look” the wealthy Harry Sims is to be knighted in a few days and is flooded with congratulatory letters. He hires a typist to reply to the letters but is horrified when the person who shows up turns out to be his ex-wife, Kate. A showdown between the independent Kate and the arrogant, egotistical Harry ensues, and when the dust settles, Harry’s second wife appears keenly interested in Kate’s typewriter. In “Half an Hour,” Lilian yearns to leave her abusive husband. After Hugh Paton proposes that she sail with him to Egypt, Lilian realizes this is her chance to escape. Due to sail within half an hour, Lilian rushes to join Hugh at his flat. When Hugh leaves to hail a cab, he is struck by an automobile and killed. A friend of Lilian’s husband finds Hugh’s body in the street, notifies Lilian of the death, and then makes his way to Lilian’s home for a dinner party. Plays may be produced singly.

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