Bedfellows

LATE 18TH CENTURY FRANCE: Anne has been Louise-Clothilde’s lady’s maid her whole life. Every morning she dresses her, all day she hears of her woes and fancies, and at night she sleeps beside her for comfort. Whatever Louise-Clothilde needs- a friend, a punching bag, a nurse, a mother, a husband- Anne becomes. Yet, as the Revolution approaches the power in their relationship is turned on its head.

LATE 18TH CENTURY FRANCE: Anne has been Louise-Clothilde’s lady’s maid her whole life. Every morning she dresses her, all day she hears of her woes and fancies, and at night she sleeps beside her for comfort. Whatever Louise-Clothilde needs- a friend, a punching bag, a nurse, a mother, a husband- Anne becomes. Yet, as the Revolution approaches the power in their relationship is turned on its head.

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Bedfellows

Recommended by

  • Zach Barr: Bedfellows

    Much can (and should, and has) been said about the play's careful, successful depiction of a love story shaped by gender, class, trauma, and more. But what truly makes this script gripping is how richly drawn the bond between the women is – even as the relationship is doomed to end how it does, the audience never abandons their naive, adolescent hope that things might work out. The result is a story that feels just as sorrowful as it does inevitable, a Greek tragedy in Rococo wigs.

    Much can (and should, and has) been said about the play's careful, successful depiction of a love story shaped by gender, class, trauma, and more. But what truly makes this script gripping is how richly drawn the bond between the women is – even as the relationship is doomed to end how it does, the audience never abandons their naive, adolescent hope that things might work out. The result is a story that feels just as sorrowful as it does inevitable, a Greek tragedy in Rococo wigs.

  • Shaun Leisher: Bedfellows

    Beyond the decadent outfits and times of political unrest, this is at its core a story of two young women that are struggling to understand their place in the world. Two young women that deeply love each other but will always be separated by their social standing. I loved how this play allows these women to dream of a world outside of the strict boxes society has placed them. It broke my heart when I realized they could never escape them though. I loved the physicality of this play and how much was said in glances and embraces.

    Beyond the decadent outfits and times of political unrest, this is at its core a story of two young women that are struggling to understand their place in the world. Two young women that deeply love each other but will always be separated by their social standing. I loved how this play allows these women to dream of a world outside of the strict boxes society has placed them. It broke my heart when I realized they could never escape them though. I loved the physicality of this play and how much was said in glances and embraces.

  • Avery Ingvarson: Bedfellows

    Bedfellows avoids so many of the pitfalls that often befall historical fiction, particularly that which means to explore queerness throughout history. Senese-Grossberg's dialogue is delightfully direct, without ever veering too anachronistic nor overbearingly period. A perfect middle ground. I was heavily invested in all the characters and their dynamics from start to finish.

    Bedfellows avoids so many of the pitfalls that often befall historical fiction, particularly that which means to explore queerness throughout history. Senese-Grossberg's dialogue is delightfully direct, without ever veering too anachronistic nor overbearingly period. A perfect middle ground. I was heavily invested in all the characters and their dynamics from start to finish.

View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Matthieu and the Comte should always be played by the same actor
  • Anne
    16 in act one, 23 in act two, a lady's maid, a poor girl who is supporting her entire family, practical and reserved
    Character Age
    16-23
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Louise-Clothilde
    16 almost 17 in act one, 23 in act two, a baron’s daughter and later a Comte’s wife, beautiful and self indulgent
    Character Age
    16-23
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Matthieu
    A handsome trouble making manservant around Anne’s age, later a radical revolutionary (doubles as the Comte)
    Character Age
    16-23
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • The Comte
    Middle aged, unappealing, and cruel, a powerful aristocrat, Louise-Clothilde’s husband (doubles as Matthieu)
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization LimeFest at The Tank, Year 2025
  • Type Workshop, Organization The Firebird Project, Year 2024

Awards

  • Rootstock Reading Festival
    Good Apples Collective
    Finalist
    2024