DALLOWAY

by Lindsay Joelle

Clarissa is a tree-climbing, free-spirited Victorian teenager with no interest in entertaining the slew of suitors found by her money-strapped father. But when she unexpectedly falls for a charismatic and plucky suffragette, she must decide if her heart is brave enough to forge a new path. A stand-alone rom-com prequel to Virginia Woolf’s beloved "Mrs. Dalloway." (2F, 2M, 90 min.)

Clarissa is a tree-climbing, free-spirited Victorian teenager with no interest in entertaining the slew of suitors found by her money-strapped father. But when she unexpectedly falls for a charismatic and plucky suffragette, she must decide if her heart is brave enough to forge a new path. A stand-alone rom-com prequel to Virginia Woolf’s beloved "Mrs. Dalloway." (2F, 2M, 90 min.)

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DALLOWAY

Recommended by

  • Mark Helfman: DALLOWAY by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    Smart, layered, and well-paced, the script feels thoroughly contemporary, with strong leading characters and sharp dialogue. I particularly enjoyed Sally Seton. She's strategic, queer, unapologetic, and perfectly drawn. Great work!

    Smart, layered, and well-paced, the script feels thoroughly contemporary, with strong leading characters and sharp dialogue. I particularly enjoyed Sally Seton. She's strategic, queer, unapologetic, and perfectly drawn. Great work!

    ”
  • Zach Barr: DALLOWAY by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    At a climactic moment, Joelle writes the stage direction "Everyone falls in love with everyone just a little bit." I can't think of a better summation of this floridly romantic script, a tone poem of yearning for freedom, a quiet rage against the social spheres of the late Victorian era. Familiarity with "Mrs. Dalloway" is not required, though it does illuminate the script in subtle ways, gesturing towards Woolf's own recurring themes of autonomy and desire. This one sticks with you.

    At a climactic moment, Joelle writes the stage direction "Everyone falls in love with everyone just a little bit." I can't think of a better summation of this floridly romantic script, a tone poem of yearning for freedom, a quiet rage against the social spheres of the late Victorian era. Familiarity with "Mrs. Dalloway" is not required, though it does illuminate the script in subtle ways, gesturing towards Woolf's own recurring themes of autonomy and desire. This one sticks with you.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: DALLOWAY by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    This is an incredible play about the age of becoming in an era when one is unable to be their true self. Sadly as true in 1890 as it is in 2025. I know little about the book Mrs. Dalloway or about Virginia Woolf herself and neither of those facts lessened my enjoyment of this great play. In fact, it made me more curious and interested in reading the book and learning about the author. This play is incredibly well constructed, cleverly written, and full of beautiful and poetic imagry.

    This is an incredible play about the age of becoming in an era when one is unable to be their true self. Sadly as true in 1890 as it is in 2025. I know little about the book Mrs. Dalloway or about Virginia Woolf herself and neither of those facts lessened my enjoyment of this great play. In fact, it made me more curious and interested in reading the book and learning about the author. This play is incredibly well constructed, cleverly written, and full of beautiful and poetic imagry.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations
Clarissa Parry: 18. Kind. Innocent. Slightly feral -- hair loose, callouses on her feet from climbing trees. After her sister's untimely death the previous summer, Clarissa's father withdrew the family from society to their country home, leaving Clarissa to fend for herself until she reached an age to be married off.

Peter Walsh: 19. Anglo-Indian. The intense and mercurial university student who unexpectedly got cute and is hoping Clarissa will notice. With parents in India, the Parrys are Peter's surrogate family for school holidays. His clothing attempts to match the latest Oxford fashion, but the quality of the fabric betrays a perpetual lack of funds.

Sally Seton: 18. Charismatic and plucky. Captures hearts. With parents who have gambled away her dowry, she must rely on her wit and moxie to secure a position for herself in society. Under the bravado lies a deep vulnerability.

The Slew 20-40. (quadruple-cast)
*Mr. Parry: Clarissa’s inattentive upperclass father.
*Hugh Whitbred: An Oxford dandy.
*Joseph Breitkopf: A flamboyant German opera conductor.
*Richard Dalloway: Earnest. A bit socially awkward. First impressions can be stiff and serious, but underneath, he's gentle and kind. It takes a minute to see him clearly.

Development History

Production History

Awards

  • Manhattan Arts Grant
    LMCC
    Selection
    2026
  • FutureNow Fellowship
    Drama League
    Finalist
    2026
  • Second Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2023