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

 

AN EXCERPT

  


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