Doctor Voynich and Her Children

by Leanna Keyes

Doctor Rue Voynich and her apprentice Fade travel the American Heartland dispensing herbal medications. Covertly, they perform abortions--long ago made illegal. Fade tries to help local youth Hannah complete her abortion, using knowledge from an ancient manuscript, before her mother and the sheriff can nail them for the “attempted murder of an unborn person.”
>>This post-Roe v. Wade play about mothers and...

Doctor Rue Voynich and her apprentice Fade travel the American Heartland dispensing herbal medications. Covertly, they perform abortions--long ago made illegal. Fade tries to help local youth Hannah complete her abortion, using knowledge from an ancient manuscript, before her mother and the sheriff can nail them for the “attempted murder of an unborn person.”
>>This post-Roe v. Wade play about mothers and daughters is poetic, sexy, vulgar, queer, and a little too real.

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Doctor Voynich and Her Children

Recommended by

  • Noah Good: Doctor Voynich and Her Children by Leanna Keyes
    “

    This play is absolutely incredible. Brilliant world-building (which feels all too real), complex relationships between characters, and a sweet and sexy budding queer relationship. A must read!

    This play is absolutely incredible. Brilliant world-building (which feels all too real), complex relationships between characters, and a sweet and sexy budding queer relationship. A must read!

    ”
  • Gracie Everett: Doctor Voynich and Her Children by Leanna Keyes
    “

    This play was taught in my college dramatic literature class, and HO-LY SHIT. I am astounded to see that it only has three reviews, because from the way it was presented to us, I had every reason to believe it was a part of the contemporary theatrical canon (which it should be!). Keyes creates a theatrical hellscape far away enough to be dystopian, but close enough to be fathomable. Not to mention the existence of queer and trans women in a way that does not turn us into spectacles, but instead, shows us as the resilient human beings we are.

    This play was taught in my college dramatic literature class, and HO-LY SHIT. I am astounded to see that it only has three reviews, because from the way it was presented to us, I had every reason to believe it was a part of the contemporary theatrical canon (which it should be!). Keyes creates a theatrical hellscape far away enough to be dystopian, but close enough to be fathomable. Not to mention the existence of queer and trans women in a way that does not turn us into spectacles, but instead, shows us as the resilient human beings we are.

    ”
  • Jolie Frazer-Madge: Doctor Voynich and Her Children by Leanna Keyes
    “

    LOVE this play! The world building is impeccable and the characters were so charming!!

    LOVE this play! The world building is impeccable and the characters were so charming!!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

No one in this play needs to be white or pretty or skinny. Rue is a trans woman. Please cast responsibly.
  • RUE
    An herbalist
    40s
    Trans woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • FADE
    An apprentice
    Late teens
    Female,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • HANNAH
    A young woman seeking an abortion
    Late teens
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • JESS
    A mother
    40s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • HARRISON
    An officer of the law
    50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Production History

  • Community Theater, Susquehanna Stage, 2024
  • University, Linfield College, 2022
  • University, Ohio University, 2022
  • Community Theater, Uprising Theatre Company, 2020
  • University, Rhodes College, McCoy Theatre, 2018
  • University, Stanford University: [wit]: a gender conscious theater company, 2018

Awards

  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2018
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2018