In spite of my desperation I have been patient, in spite of my bewilderment I have been understanding, in spite of my feeling of utter abandonment ... I've been hanging on in there. Trying to help you come through this terrible thing.

While Eleanor wants a child, her willing partner, Richard, is too busy running the Dead Funny Society.

But in a week when British comedy heroes Frankie Howard and Benny Hill both kick the bucket, the society gather for a celebration, which promises to be full of hilarity and laughter - well, for everybody except the disgruntled Eleanor anyhow.

Terry Johnson's hilarious comedy of mortality and marriage was premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in January 1994. This edition was published for the West End revival in October 2016 at the Vaudeville Theatre, London.

Terry Johnson's hilarious comedy of mortality and marriage was premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in January 1994. This edition was published for the West End revival in October 2016 at the Vaudeville Theatre, London.

About the Author
Terry Johnson's work as a playwright includes a version of Edward Ravenscroft's The London Cuckolds, Dead Funny, and Hysteria. He is the recipient of major British theatre awards including Playwright of the Year 1995; Critics' Circle Best New Play 1995; Writers' Guild Best West End Play 1995; Olivier Award Best Comedy 1994; the Meyer-Whitworth Award 1993; and the John Whiting Award 1991. He also won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for his production of La Cage aux Folles. His play Piano/Forte premiered at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in 2006 and, most recently, his play Ken premiered at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in April 2016.

Reviews
A blazing theatrical event, a single piece of stunning energy and invention, Johnson combines wild laughter with terrible pain. At times you're not sure whether the tears running down your cheeks are because the piece is so funny or because it is so sad * Daily Telegraph *
Johnson has written another dazzlingly equivocal piece: one that questions the dubious sexual values of the great English drolls while invoking their hallowed memories and methods ... He pushes the frontiers of farce into areas of real pain ... An exhilarating play that is part custard-pie tragedy, part inquiring elegy for a vanishing music-hall tradition based on the principle that a dirty mind is a joy forever * Guardian *



Book Information
ISBN 9781350032255
Author Terry Johnson
Format Paperback
Page Count 112
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 98g