Nonsense and Beauty

by Scott Sickles

[FULL LENGTH DRAMA]
2016 DAYTON PLAYHOUSE FUTUREFEST WINNER
2018 EDGERTON FOUNDATION NEW PLAY AWARD WINNER
2020 AMERICAN THEATER CRITICS ASSOCIATION STEINBERG AWARD FINALIST
2020 ST LOUIS THEATER CIRCLE AWARD FOR BEST NEW PLAY

In 1930, E.M. Forster met and fell in love with Bob Buckingham, a policeman 23 years his junior. Before long, fear of discovery forced Bob to court and marry May, a young nurse. The...

[FULL LENGTH DRAMA]
2016 DAYTON PLAYHOUSE FUTUREFEST WINNER
2018 EDGERTON FOUNDATION NEW PLAY AWARD WINNER
2020 AMERICAN THEATER CRITICS ASSOCIATION STEINBERG AWARD FINALIST
2020 ST LOUIS THEATER CIRCLE AWARD FOR BEST NEW PLAY

In 1930, E.M. Forster met and fell in love with Bob Buckingham, a policeman 23 years his junior. Before long, fear of discovery forced Bob to court and marry May, a young nurse. The ensuring love triangle, turbulent and unique, evolved until Forster’s death nearly forty years later.

2 acts; 120 minutes

(formerly titled "Shepherd's Bush")

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Nonsense and Beauty

Recommended by

  • Scott Cantrell: Nonsense and Beauty by Scott Sickles
    “

    THIS PLAY IS INCREDIBLE! The characters are so well written that you leave with a strong opinion on each of them, whether you like them or not. The romance keeps you invested throughout the entire play. The structure flows beautifully and fits the concept of a story being retold on the stage. And the dialogue is a masterclass in the difficult art of giving each character their own unique voice. Nonsense and Beauty is a gorgeous look back at LGBTQ+ history to show how far we've come and can go.

    THIS PLAY IS INCREDIBLE! The characters are so well written that you leave with a strong opinion on each of them, whether you like them or not. The romance keeps you invested throughout the entire play. The structure flows beautifully and fits the concept of a story being retold on the stage. And the dialogue is a masterclass in the difficult art of giving each character their own unique voice. Nonsense and Beauty is a gorgeous look back at LGBTQ+ history to show how far we've come and can go.

    ”
  • Benjamin Nickols: Nonsense and Beauty by Scott Sickles
    “

    I cannot recommend this play enough. I saw it when it was done in Seattle with Theatre22. Found it here and did a deep read. Sobbed during the performance and then again while I read. Truly a remarkable piece. The relationships built during the show feel so real and by the end they leave you wanting more. I recommend this play to everyone I know.

    I cannot recommend this play enough. I saw it when it was done in Seattle with Theatre22. Found it here and did a deep read. Sobbed during the performance and then again while I read. Truly a remarkable piece. The relationships built during the show feel so real and by the end they leave you wanting more. I recommend this play to everyone I know.

    ”
  • Christopher Soucy: Nonsense and Beauty by Scott Sickles
    “

    Scott Sickles is so brilliant that it I sometimes have to avert my gaze from his work. Here we have a prime example of a play that digs deeper and expresses more than the words could ever contain. It is a life. Full of tumult and pain, joy and love, and an unyielding beauty that is far from nonsense. I have a long standing grudge against genius writers, and Scott is right at the top of my list. It’s mostly pettiness on my part, but still…

    Scott Sickles is so brilliant that it I sometimes have to avert my gaze from his work. Here we have a prime example of a play that digs deeper and expresses more than the words could ever contain. It is a life. Full of tumult and pain, joy and love, and an unyielding beauty that is far from nonsense. I have a long standing grudge against genius writers, and Scott is right at the top of my list. It’s mostly pettiness on my part, but still…

    ”
View all 23 recommendations

Character Information

The characters' ages are based on their ages in real life. However, in 1930, people looked older than they do now, so everyone can be cast older.
Ackerley is pretty much ageless.

Historically, the characters are based on real people who were white. Diversity is encouraged.
  • E.M. Forster
    The English writer. Acerbic, witty, generous, bookish, either a cynical romantic or a romantic cynic.
    51 to 91
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Bob Buckingham
    Roguish young policeman with aspirations of being more. Forster's friend and lover. Darkly handsome, masculine, athletic and temperamental. Bob is very physically affectionate.
    28 to 68
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • May Buckingham
    Née May Hockey. Bob's fiancée and later his wife. A nurse. Strong willed, direct and patient. Never wears make-up.
    23 to 62
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • J.R. Ackerley
    Always looks like he’s in his 40s even when he’s 70. Friend of Forster & the Buckinghams. Strikingly handsome and distinguished radio producer and writer. Flamboyant homosexual.
    mid 30s to late 50s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Lily Forster
    E. M. Forster's mother. A very strong, often overbearing woman in her seventies and eighties.
    70s/80s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Repertory Theatre of St. Lous, 2018
  • Reading, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, 2016
  • Workshop, Gulfshore Playhouse, 2014
  • Reading, Eureka Theater, San Francisco, 1999
  • Reading, HB Playwrights, 1998
  • Workshop, Carnegie Mellon Drama Festival of New Plays, 1996
  • Reading, Carnegie Mellon Drama Festival of New Plays, 1995

Production History

  • Community Theater, Talking Horse Productions, 2025
  • Community Theater, Theatre22, 2022
  • Professional, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, 2019

Awards

  • Best New Play
    St. Louis Theater Circle Awards
    Winner
    2020
  • Harold and Mimi Steinberg /ATCA New Play Award
    American Theater Critics Association
    Finalist
    2020
  • St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, nominee
    Theater Circle
    2020
  • Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards
    Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
    2018
  • Ashland New Plays Festival
    Finalist
    2015
  • Mildred and Albert Panowski Playwriting Award
    Forest Roberts Theater, Northern Michigan University
    Semi-Finalist
    1996
  • Dayton Playhouse Future Fest
    Dayton Playhouse
    Winner
    2016