Gentlemen

by Arthur M Jolly

Ten minute play. Four men meet at the urinals of a restaurant bathroom - and clash over politics, physical attributes, the meaning of masculinity... and of life.

Ten minute play. Four men meet at the urinals of a restaurant bathroom - and clash over politics, physical attributes, the meaning of masculinity... and of life.

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Gentlemen

Recommended by

  • Philip Middleton Williams: Gentlemen

    The hardest part about writing a recommendation for a play about four men using urinals is trying not to throw out double entendres or just plain bathroom jokes. That said, Arthur M. Jolly takes this most male moment and turns it into a seminar on the human condition: psychological, philosophical, and even medical. This short piece may have elements of adolescent humor, but what it really gets to is the basic need for us to feel comfortable with what we have, and it is in our hands to live with.

    The hardest part about writing a recommendation for a play about four men using urinals is trying not to throw out double entendres or just plain bathroom jokes. That said, Arthur M. Jolly takes this most male moment and turns it into a seminar on the human condition: psychological, philosophical, and even medical. This short piece may have elements of adolescent humor, but what it really gets to is the basic need for us to feel comfortable with what we have, and it is in our hands to live with.

  • Douglas Gearhart: Gentlemen

    This a such a delight, from the initial stage notes ('let's mime this' - God, I hope so!) to the twists and surprising reveals from each character.

    This a such a delight, from the initial stage notes ('let's mime this' - God, I hope so!) to the twists and surprising reveals from each character.

  • Donald E. Baker: Gentlemen

    "The Gentlemen's Rules of Restroom Etiquette" are usually unspoken but no less sacrosanct. In this play by Arthur M. Jolly, the rules--for example, always leave a vacant urinal between you and the next guy--are not only spoken but debated. And just to what extent a guy does or does not obey the rules turns out to say a lot about him in all sorts of political and cultural ways. This little comedy contains a number of cogent, shall we say, "observations." It would delight and titillate any audience.

    "The Gentlemen's Rules of Restroom Etiquette" are usually unspoken but no less sacrosanct. In this play by Arthur M. Jolly, the rules--for example, always leave a vacant urinal between you and the next guy--are not only spoken but debated. And just to what extent a guy does or does not obey the rules turns out to say a lot about him in all sorts of political and cultural ways. This little comedy contains a number of cogent, shall we say, "observations." It would delight and titillate any audience.

View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

4 m.
  • THIRD
    Private. Suffers from a medical condition he'd rather not talk about - or even admit to himself.
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • FOURTH
    Hot headed, inconsiderate and resentful. Drives a large truck. With lifted wheels.
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • FIRST
    Lonely, philosophical. At peace with his comparatively smaller genitalia.
    Character Age
    adult
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • SECOND
    A chef, on a short break. Particular about which urinal to use, proud of his rather larger genitalia, but a decent guy about it.
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Pier One Theatre, Alaska, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Acorn Theatre, Three Oaks, Michigan, Year 2018
  • Type Professional, Organization Short + Sweet Festival, Brisbane, Australia, Year 2018
  • Type Professional, Organization Sacred Fools Theater, Los Angeles, Year 2017