Full-Length Play
The Hudson Family Guide to Table Manners
A Play by William Ivor Fowkes
What do we pass on to our nearest and dearest?
Michael Hudson is a remarkable man. Even his detractors acknowledge the extent of his influence. For some his legacy is physical--the family business they would like to get their hands on. For others, it's psychological--the obsessions and urges that lead to a range of problematic behavior, from sexual compulsion to infidelity. In eight scenes--from Buenos Aires to Chicago, Santa Monica to London and beyond--we see his influence at work. When Michael dies prematurely, family secrets are revealed, and the heir to the company is announced.
LENGTH: 1 hour 45 minutes
CAST: 2M, 3F (23 characters)
SETTING: Restaurants, bars, and other public places in Chicago, Buenos Aires, Santa Monica, Mexico City, Lake Forest, London, Tribeca, and Evanston .
TIME: 2015
PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2018: READING, University Faculty Drama Club, Bloomington, IN.
2015: READING, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, NY.
PRODUCTIONS, READINGS, ETC.: The following excerpts have been produced, published, and/or broadcast:
"Table Manners in Chicagoland" (Scenes 1, 5, and 8): a production and a reading.
"Table Manners in Buenos Aires" (Scene 2): 2 productions.
"Table Manners in Santa Monica" (Scene 3): 3 productions, 2 radio broadcasts, and a publication.
"Table Manners in Mexico City" (Scene 4): a production and a radio broadcast.
"Table Manners in Lake Forest" (Scene 5): a reading.
"Table Manners in London" (Scene 7) : a publication.
"Table Manners in Tribeca" (Scene 7): 2 productions.
"A Remarkable Man" (Scene 8): a production.
HONORS
2020 INKSLINGER SEMI-FINALIST
Playwriting Competition, Southeastern Louisiana University.
2015 NEW AMERICAN VOICES SEMI-FINALIST
(as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
The Landing Theatre Company's reading series, Houston, TX
2013 REVA SHINER COMEDY AWARD FINALIST
(as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
Bloomington Playwrights Project, Bloomington, IN
2012 W. KEITH HEDRICK PLAYWRITING CONTEST FINALIST
(as A Field Guide to Table Manners)
HRC Showcase Theatre, Hudson, NY
2011 NEW WORKS PROJECT RUNNER-UP
(as Table Manners)
T. Schreiber Studio, New York City