In Other Gardens

by emma joy hill

Francis makes intricate plans to steal the moon for the lady next door. With her birthday approaching, the other woman runs out of time to grow a family and her husband has violently warned her of the consequences. Francis works adamantly to concoct a lunar trap as a token of his blind and hopeless love. Meanwhile, Autumn adheres to her husband’s antics, watching him slip further away from her and from reality...

Francis makes intricate plans to steal the moon for the lady next door. With her birthday approaching, the other woman runs out of time to grow a family and her husband has violently warned her of the consequences. Francis works adamantly to concoct a lunar trap as a token of his blind and hopeless love. Meanwhile, Autumn adheres to her husband’s antics, watching him slip further away from her and from reality. After the death of their daughter, Francis has lost his sense of self and Autumn has lost him. His effort to forget being challenged by her effort to make him remember. Shadowed by the disturbing images of the couple next door and the memories of their own young romance, Autumn and Francis learn how the growth of love survives loss.

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In Other Gardens

Recommended by

  • T. M. Gadomski: In Other Gardens by emma joy hill
    “

    Listen. Take your time, and read this play. It feels a bit like reading a different language that you learn along the way. The flow is unmatched and the story itself is quite heartbreaking. Loved it.

    Listen. Take your time, and read this play. It feels a bit like reading a different language that you learn along the way. The flow is unmatched and the story itself is quite heartbreaking. Loved it.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: In Other Gardens by emma joy hill
    “

    This play absolutely took my breath away. It’s a domestic puzzle that doesn’t even get close to being solved until the very end. It’s a delight to follow all the threads and clues while also just letting these compelling characters expose themselves. Hill has created a play that is begging for artists to come and experiment. So many possibilities to interpret this work of art.

    This play absolutely took my breath away. It’s a domestic puzzle that doesn’t even get close to being solved until the very end. It’s a delight to follow all the threads and clues while also just letting these compelling characters expose themselves. Hill has created a play that is begging for artists to come and experiment. So many possibilities to interpret this work of art.

    ”

Character Information

  • Woman/Autumn
    Patient, in every possible way. Sees a lot of it. Holding on to all the threads.
    40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Man/Francis
    Mad, in every possible way. Nose that runs frequently. Pays very little mind.
    40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Younger Woman
    Covered in dirt.
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Younger Man
    Looking for it.
    20s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Other Woman
    Drained. Unworldly. Can smile and cry at the same time.
    50
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Other Man
    A blow torch in plaid. More in love than angry. But, still angry.
    40s
    Any (but probably white)
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, University of Connecticut , 2016
  • Reading, University of Connecticut, 2016