True Will by William Triplett

Full-length: It's spring of 1941, and the Nazi blitz that has overrun mainland Europe is on the verge of destroying Britain. Why then does Rudolf Hess suddenly drop in – literally – wanting to talk peace? Is it a trick, or is he merely, as he appears to be, insane?

And why does Winston Churchill allow the raging occultist/mystic Aleister Crowley to interrogate Hess?

Worse, why...
Full-length: It's spring of 1941, and the Nazi blitz that has overrun mainland Europe is on the verge of destroying Britain. Why then does Rudolf Hess suddenly drop in – literally – wanting to talk peace? Is it a trick, or is he merely, as he appears to be, insane?

And why does Winston Churchill allow the raging occultist/mystic Aleister Crowley to interrogate Hess?

Worse, why are an unknown officer named Ian Fleming (still a great disappointment to his mother) and a famous actor-playwright – Noel Coward, of all people – supervising this dubious venture?

Add in the sudden appearance of the ghost of Fleming's former fiancée, a blithe spirit if there ever was, and suddenly the fate of the entire United Kingdom – not to mention the new play Coward is trying to come up with and Fleming’s impending wedding – are all on the line.

A historical spoof of alliances, patriotism, egos, magic, artistic inspiration, the origins of James Bond, and the sexual aspects of yoga, all of which lead Fleming to make a life-changing discovery and decision.
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True Will

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    15 Oct. 2022
    “ You always know you're onto a winner when the character list makes you smile. From there you are catapulted into a brilliantly funny (laugh out loud funny) play with wonderfully witty back and forth dialogue ("Ah, yes. Noël Coward and the lesser Fleming. This cannot be good." - Fabulous!) This play is one that carries its audience through a fabulously funny story constructed of unique characters and great dialouge. Its that perfect mixture that makes a reader wants to see it live! ”
  • Christopher Plumridge:
    11 Oct. 2022
    “ To bring such varied historical characters together like this is truly inspired! Triplett brings us such a strong, believable character analysis of Noel Coward, and I couldn't help but smile as I saw the story of Blythe Spirit unfold. Indeed this whole play had me smiling throughout, I would love to see this staged, it would be hilarious! There's even one section where the characters find the whole story so unbelievable that they assume they might be in a play themselves! BRILLIANT! ”
  • Jean Ciampi:
    31 Jul. 2020
    “ Smart, sharp and impossible to step away from, "True Will" is masterfully woven and hilarious in an intelligent way. In a script that could easily have lost its way, Triplett has enviable control and produced a great show that audiences and actors will love. ”
View all 7 recommendations

Four men, two women; any race/ethnicity.

Development History

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Summer Playwrights Festival
,
The Road Theatre Co.
,
2017
Winner
,
Panndora's Box New Works Festival
,
Panndora Productions
,
2016