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Does it Bring You Joy? (A Monologue) by Nora Louise Syran

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  • Scott Sickles:
    5 Aug. 2023
    “ An elegant, measured, often hilarious… rant? Outcry? Bemoaning? Lamentation?

    Any or all might do!

    In Edith, Syran has captured the bitter inner snob in all of us. When I say “all of us,” I mean “me,” but that level of honesty DOES NOT BRING ME JOY, so I’m including all of you.

    Vividly real, a prisoner of her own indulgences and jealousies, and just as big a pain in the ass to be married to as her husband.

    I’m glad I’m not at the dinner party with her but I enjoyed the minutes I’ve spent! ”
  • Andrew Martineau:
    29 Oct. 2022
    “ A great monologue can reveal character in just a few seconds and give an actor a real person to embody, and wow, Nora Louise Syran does that in spades with Edith! I love that she gives the Kondo
    Method of tidying up a try and trips up (literally) on her indulgences. The lint vacuuming by Hank is hysterical, as well as Edith’s disgust in his practicality. This monologue definitely brought me joy! ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    18 Apr. 2022
    “ Like Sondheim’s Ladies Who Lunch, Edith in Does it Bring You Joy? Is not a happy person. She’s jealous of her presumably younger and fitter neighbor, her husband annoys her, and anything foreign seems like too much of a bother. Even the KondoMari Method can’t bring Edith joy. But in this short monologue, Nora Louise Syran manages to make Edith a sympathetic character. There is humor to be found, but it merely highlights the sad state of Edith’s life. A great challenge for an actor! ”
  • Christopher Plumridge:
    21 Mar. 2022
    “ I'm instantly taken in by Edith and her clothing predicament which I'm sure she's found herself in so many times before that maybe she's lost count. This monologue is very clever, on the outside you see a lady struggle with the mundanities of life yet underneath you see a sadness which plucks at your heart. Lots here for an actor to work with in a short, striking monologue. ”
  • Samantha Marchant:
    15 Mar. 2022
    “ I dig the rhythm of this monologue that captures the feeling of the whole she's dug herself into. She clearly wants our sympathy but the subtleties Syran has included makes me wonder about her... ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    15 Mar. 2022
    “ This wonderful monologue is a brilliant snapshot that finds you in the life of Edith as she exclaims about having nothing to wear! Its a conundrum that many women face as well as the dreaded idea of the 'clear out' but Nora brilliantly sculpts the circle of the story so that Edith tells the story of her clothes, her conundrum and the final conclusion of doing exactly what she wants to do. Its just a wonderful piece. ”
  • Paul Donnelly:
    4 Mar. 2022
    “ Poor abandoned Edith. Her dilemma isn't funny to her, but it sure amused me. This is a clever and sure character portrait of a character I wouldn't enjoy spending time with in life, but who is most engaging on the page. ”
  • Ross Tedford Kendall:
    15 Feb. 2022
    “ I particularly like how authentic the voice in this monologue sounds to the ear, with every word revealing what is actually going on underneath. A masterful piece. ”
  • David Patton:
    12 Feb. 2022
    “ I consider myself incredibly fortunate not to have an Edith in my family...circle of friends or anyone I know, except the Karen pages on Facebook. Nora has perfectly captured this woman's life with its jumbled, new-age fads and beliefs. With no sense of self, and not an ounce of empathy running through her cold, cold heart. I loved the piece, and Nora successfully encouraged me to loathe her creature. Great piece for an actress. ”
  • Vivian Lermond:
    12 Feb. 2022
    “ A wonderfully crafted monologue delivered in a most believable voice! I particularly enjoyed the staccato rhythm of the piece, which helped define Edith and her angst so well. A masterful piece with emotional range for an actor! ”