Dilemmas: two plays, different choices: what would you do?
Dilemmas is the title of two short plays presented at the Acorn Studio Titchfield Festival Theatre this month. Both characterise the often difficult choices people have to make in their life: one a secret agent, another is a doctor.
The first play is George Bernard Shaw’s classic The Doctor’s Dilemma. London’s finest physician, at the peak of his career, is on the horns of a dilemma – having discovered a miracle cure for tuberculosis, should he treat a penniless fellow doctor or save a talented yet unscrupulous artist?
A keen-eyed examination of medical morals and malpractice, The Doctor’s Dilemma is a witty, compassionate and timely classic by the master playwright.
Today, doctors are unlikely to face the same dilemma as Dr Colenso Ridgeon; medical consultation, treatment and medicines are free at the point of delivery, whereas in 1903 if you could not afford it, you went without.
Director Teresa Crawley says, “Although The Doctor’s Dilemma was written more than a century ago, the basic issue of the play: how to choose between two options is timeless.
“For this production, we have reduced it to one-act from a full-length play; however we have kept the crux of the playwright’s words and ideas intact. The period is a fascinating one, with widespread social change, including the launch of the suffragette movement.
My grandmother was a suffragette and I am full of admiration for what they did – and audiences will appreciate just how different our society and values have changed.”
The second production is called What's Left Of The Flag written by Jimmy Murphy and directed by Dave Lee. Dave also acts in the play in the role of Jacob.
New recruit Yossi has just graduated from the Mossad training academy in Tel Aviv, the Midrasha, and is sent to Dublin on his first mission. He’s teamed up with soon to retire veteran field agent Jacob, who is on his last mission. As the minutes tick away and the target nears Yossi discovers that a conscience is a luxury he can no longer afford. A spy with a dilemma and a job to be done but what would you do?
Dave Lee says, “We looked at a number of short plays with two actors, but What’s Left of the Flag really stood out. It has a simple setting and is uncomplicated in terms of staging – however, it has fascinating and contrasting characters. During the play we get to learn more about the two agents before finally being posed with the question ourselves: could we really do that?”
Dilemmas opens on Monday 20th May until Saturday 25th May 2019 at 7.30pm in the Acorn Studio, Titchfield Festival Theatre, St Margarets Lane, Titchfield PO14 4BG.
For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.