Knots
Two Act Drama - 4w/2m - Single Set
A play about brothers and sisters. What brings families together? What tears them apart?
Synopsis
Knots begins on a Saturday afternoon as a baby shower for May, the youngest Brown family sibling, ends. This is a very special weekend for May, it's also her birthday. The only present May has asked for is to have all her brothers and sisters under the same roof for one night. Separately the Browns are fine. They are humorous, upstanding people. Together they fight like cats and dogs and act like children. This is especially true for two siblings, Walter and Bella.
Unfortunately, the Brown can't keep it together, even for May. No matter what May does, she cannot get her siblings to have a civil conversation for five minutes. When the fighting escalates to a horrific accident, May decides she has had enough. She wants a real family, not separate relations with each sibling. She will no longer referee. She disowns her siblings.
This revelation is a slap in the face for the others. They realize they have lost all their second chances and if they want to maintain a relationship with May, they must work it out. The Browns are not perfect, nor is there instant forgiveness. But they all take steps to start over.
An intricate character drama that balances the trials and tribulations of the story, with wonderful moments of lightness and humour.
Characters
- Opal Godfrey (widowed, mid forties)
A high-strung perfectionist. Likes to play Mom. - Graham Brown (married, early forties)
An ex star athlete who has passed his glory days by. - Bella Brown (single, late thirties)
Former nurse, budding artist. Holds a grudge a long way. - Walter Brown (divorced, late thirties)
Hockey rink janitor who knows he hasn't measured up. - May Samuel (married, late twenties)
Stubbornly positive. Loves her family to a fault. - Ann Quinlan (single, early twenties)
A student with a secret.
Setting
The entire play takes place in the family room of the Brown Household. The furniture is well worn but not shabby looking.
History
Knots was developed through the Playwrights Lab program at the Factory Theatre, Toronto under the title Thicker Than Water.
Semi-finalist for the 2003 Eugene O'Neill Playwright's Conference.
Download a PDF of full script