Or,

by Liz Duffy Adams

The neo-Restoration play Or, takes place (mostly) during one night in the life of Aphra Behn, poet, spy, and soon to be first professional female playwright. Sprung from debtors’ prison after a disastrous overseas mission, Aphra is desperate to get out of the spy trade. She has a shot at a production at one of only two London companies, if she can only finish her play by morning despite interruptions from sudden new love, actress Nell Gwynne; complicated royal love, King Charles II; and very dodgy ex-love, double-agent William Scott—who may be in on a plot to murder the king in the morning. Can Aphra save Charles’ life, win William a pardon, resist Nell’s charms, and launch her career, all in one night?

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Or,

Recommended by

Faith de Savigné: Or, by Liz Duffy Adams

“

This play presents the emerging friendship between Aphra Behn, former spy, aspiring playwright, and Nell Gwynne, former fruit seller, current star actor. With theatrical flair, this rom-com-bedroom-farce -dramedy has the characters stealthily negotiating the political intrigues of late 17th century London. It’s language and actions feel both timely and timeless as you’re never sure who is playing who.

This play presents the emerging friendship between Aphra Behn, former spy, aspiring playwright, and Nell Gwynne, former fruit seller, current star actor. With theatrical flair, this rom-com-bedroom-farce -dramedy has the characters stealthily negotiating the political intrigues of late 17th century London. It’s language and actions feel both timely and timeless as you’re never sure who is playing who.

”
Cheryl Bear: Or, by Liz Duffy Adams

“

A fantastic play for a passionate theatre professional as we watch the journey of Aphra from the spy trade toward becoming the first professional female playwright. Well done!

A fantastic play for a passionate theatre professional as we watch the journey of Aphra from the spy trade toward becoming the first professional female playwright. Well done!

”
John Wolbers: Or, by Liz Duffy Adams

“

Easily on my list of all time favorite plays! Like Ms. Behn herself, this play defies labels and truly explores what it means to be human from so many facets. Blending humor, drama, prose, poetry, sex, love, and everything in between; Ms. Duffy Adams has baked a veritable feast for the senses.

Easily on my list of all time favorite plays! Like Ms. Behn herself, this play defies labels and truly explores what it means to be human from so many facets. Blending humor, drama, prose, poetry, sex, love, and everything in between; Ms. Duffy Adams has baked a veritable feast for the senses.

”

View all 9 recommendations

Development History

Type Workshop, Organization New Georges, Year 2009
Type Workshop, Organization New Dramatists, Year 2007

Production History

Type Professional, Organization Round House Theatre, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization Hedgerow Theatre, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Shakespeare & Company, Year 2016
Type Professional, Organization Dobama Theatre, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Off the Wall Theater, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Vermont Stage Company, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Williamston Theatre, Year 2015
Type Professional, Organization Forward Theater Company, Year 2014
Type Professional, Organization Harlequin Productions, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Park Square Theatre, Year 2013
Type Professional, Organization Shaker Bridge Theatre, Year 2012
Type Professional, Organization Capital Stage Company, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Main Street Theatre, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Rep Stage, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Seattle Rep Theater, Year 2011
Type Professional, Organization Magic Theater, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Seventh Stage Theatre Productions, Toronto, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Stageworks on the Hudson, Year 2010
Type Professional, Organization Women's Project Theater, Off Broadway, Year 2009

Awards

San Francisco Chronicle 10 Best List

San Francisco Chronicle

Winner

2010
Lillian Hellman Award for Playwriting

The Lilly Awards Foundation, Inc.

Winner

2010

Genre

biography,

comedy,

docudrama/historic,

farce,

period,

romantic comedy

Subject Matter Keywords

Aphra Behn,

Restoration Comedy,

poetry

Length

60-90 minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

ages 18 and up

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters,

Centers LGBTQ Characters

Supporting Materials

Published Script

http://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=4203

Reviews

The San Francisco Chronicle

“
One of the considerable beauties of Liz Duffy Adams’ hilarious Or, is the effortless acuity with which time periods are layered upon each other… Hope prevails, in great waves of laughter. The darker strains beyond Behn’s writing chamber only reinforce the dedication to change.
”
TimeOut New York

“
[Adams] has written an Aphra-disiac valentine, not a stodgy bio-play.
”
The New York Times

“
A playful, funny and inventive comedy by Liz Duffy Adams… Her language has a natural period flavor and a formidable wit; her characters possess the spark of fully animated spirits; and she weaves into her story both biographical detail and cultural context with grace.
”