The Droll {Or, a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre}

It is one year after the End Of Theatre and fourteen-year-old Nim Dullyn has just witnessed his first DROLL - an underground performance of comedic excerpts from famous plays. Seduced by the magic of the stage, Nim sets out for the Cittie with this illegal theatrical troupe. He is pursued by the beastly Roundheads, fundamentalists who deem theatre an abomination during this time of Sicknesse and Troubles...

It is one year after the End Of Theatre and fourteen-year-old Nim Dullyn has just witnessed his first DROLL - an underground performance of comedic excerpts from famous plays. Seduced by the magic of the stage, Nim sets out for the Cittie with this illegal theatrical troupe. He is pursued by the beastly Roundheads, fundamentalists who deem theatre an abomination during this time of Sicknesse and Troubles. Inspired by the theatre closures of Puritan England, The Droll asks: what evil would you do in the name of laughter?

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The Droll {Or, a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre}

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  • Tony Tambasco: The Droll {Or, a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre}

    The Droll is an incredibly strong play that does so much more than speak to our present moment and present needs. Miroshnik poses thoughtful questions as to the nature of theatre, and the nature of apocalypses, grounded in the story of those who survived the end of their world. It's an engaging and thoughtful narrative with the heart that truly great plays require.

    The Droll is an incredibly strong play that does so much more than speak to our present moment and present needs. Miroshnik poses thoughtful questions as to the nature of theatre, and the nature of apocalypses, grounded in the story of those who survived the end of their world. It's an engaging and thoughtful narrative with the heart that truly great plays require.

  • Toby Malone: The Droll {Or, a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre}

    I read a lot of plays, yet I keep coming back to THE DROLL. And every time I do, I'm nagged by a thought: "IS this my FAVORITE play?" Do I love it because it restores all my faith in what the theatre can do? Because it inspires me with its wily cleverness, fantasticke stylization, yet intense modernity? Because it imagines a slice of history long-forgotten and still makes it so stunningly urgent? One that heaves my hearte into my mouthe as the very form of art is on the line? All doubts begone. This is my FAVORITE. Read. It.

    I read a lot of plays, yet I keep coming back to THE DROLL. And every time I do, I'm nagged by a thought: "IS this my FAVORITE play?" Do I love it because it restores all my faith in what the theatre can do? Because it inspires me with its wily cleverness, fantasticke stylization, yet intense modernity? Because it imagines a slice of history long-forgotten and still makes it so stunningly urgent? One that heaves my hearte into my mouthe as the very form of art is on the line? All doubts begone. This is my FAVORITE. Read. It.

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: The Droll {Or, a Stage-Play about the END of Theatre}

    A play about the end of theatre feels particularly relevant, but do not be daunted! The Droll is fantastically entertaining and enjoyable and relatable beginning to end. It is large, historical, complex and Nim is a gentle soul who I was rooting for from the start, and I love Doll Cutpurse! It feels as if there are many more than 7 characters for Miroshnik creates an entire authoritarian society where, more than asking what evil would you do, The Droll shows us how people can be driven to do evil.

    A play about the end of theatre feels particularly relevant, but do not be daunted! The Droll is fantastically entertaining and enjoyable and relatable beginning to end. It is large, historical, complex and Nim is a gentle soul who I was rooting for from the start, and I love Doll Cutpurse! It feels as if there are many more than 7 characters for Miroshnik creates an entire authoritarian society where, more than asking what evil would you do, The Droll shows us how people can be driven to do evil.

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Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Brown/Trinity Summer Rep, Year 2014

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Undermain Theatre, Year 2015