CRACKED

by Gwydion Suilebhan

Just another episode of a run-of-the-mill cooking show transforms into an intricate, otherworldly grief ritual as the program’s hostess—or is she some kind of middle-class priestess?—devises increasingly elaborate ways in which to defer the simple act of cracking an egg. When it’s finally time for the demonstration, will she actually be able to just… let go?

“A tonally subversive solo piece… the overall effect...

Just another episode of a run-of-the-mill cooking show transforms into an intricate, otherworldly grief ritual as the program’s hostess—or is she some kind of middle-class priestess?—devises increasingly elaborate ways in which to defer the simple act of cracking an egg. When it’s finally time for the demonstration, will she actually be able to just… let go?

“A tonally subversive solo piece… the overall effect is beguiling.” — David Ian Lee, NYTheatre.com

“Gwydion Suilebhan has created a tour de force… A marvelous little structured piece, full of music and nuance.” — Susan Galbraith, DC Theatre Scene

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CRACKED

Recommended by

  • Natasha Conti: CRACKED by Gwydion Suilebhan
    “

    A lovely gem—or egg. Particularly fabulous spoken imagery, and ends with a nice little theatrical tech puzzle with intriguing possibilities. It's the first one-woman show I'd be excited to perform, which is saying a great deal.

    A lovely gem—or egg. Particularly fabulous spoken imagery, and ends with a nice little theatrical tech puzzle with intriguing possibilities. It's the first one-woman show I'd be excited to perform, which is saying a great deal.

    ”
  • David Hansen: CRACKED by Gwydion Suilebhan
    “

    In this short play, this six page monologue, Suilebhan presents a lyric and gentle rumination on the nature of existence, bundled into a small, delicate spheroid. A provocative, promised “demonstration” takes the shape of a sermon, through which the egg represents all things, and no thing. It’s a gorgeous piece of surprising depth, and I highly recommend it.

    In this short play, this six page monologue, Suilebhan presents a lyric and gentle rumination on the nature of existence, bundled into a small, delicate spheroid. A provocative, promised “demonstration” takes the shape of a sermon, through which the egg represents all things, and no thing. It’s a gorgeous piece of surprising depth, and I highly recommend it.

    ”

Character Information

  • Woman
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, The Welders, 2013
  • Reading, The Disreputables, 2012
  • Commission, The Intentional Theatre Group (NY), 2008

Production History

  • Professional, Accidental Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Warner International Playwrights Festival, 2014
  • Fringe, Minnesota Festival of Shorts, 2010
  • Professional, Intentional Theatre Group/Midtown International Theatre Festival, 2009
  • Professional, Point of Contention Theatre, 2009

Awards

  • Best Production
    Midtown International Theatre Festival
  • Best Production
    Minnesota Festival of Shorts