Bang

by Dan Born

Bang is a monologue delivered by the apparition of Joan Vollmer, immediately after she was shot by William Burroughs, her common law husband, in Mexico City in 1951. As she waits for the ambulance to arrive, she reflects on her relationship with the famous writer, on the passionate nucleus that launched the Beat movement, and on a murder in that close-knit group of artists, presaging her own death.

Bang is a monologue delivered by the apparition of Joan Vollmer, immediately after she was shot by William Burroughs, her common law husband, in Mexico City in 1951. As she waits for the ambulance to arrive, she reflects on her relationship with the famous writer, on the passionate nucleus that launched the Beat movement, and on a murder in that close-knit group of artists, presaging her own death.

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Bang

Recommended by

  • Ryan Bernsten: Bang

    A funny, emotionally-fulfilling piece of Beat history - Bang manages to combine accurate historical storytelling with a likable, fully-realized narrator. BANG is well-researched for those with extensive knowledge of the Beat generation and entertaining those who are less familiar. With great flexibility for music to be involved, this monologue would make an excellent evening of theatre or a tour-de-force monologue for an ambitious actress to tackle.

    A funny, emotionally-fulfilling piece of Beat history - Bang manages to combine accurate historical storytelling with a likable, fully-realized narrator. BANG is well-researched for those with extensive knowledge of the Beat generation and entertaining those who are less familiar. With great flexibility for music to be involved, this monologue would make an excellent evening of theatre or a tour-de-force monologue for an ambitious actress to tackle.

Character Information


  • Joan
    Character Age
    25-30
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Chorus
    Single person
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Fishtank Performance Studio, Kansas City, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Percolator, Lawrence KS, Year 2014

Production History

  • Type Fringe, Organization KC Fringe, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Kansas City Public Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization E.M.U. Theatre, Year 2016

Awards

  • Semi-Finalist
    O'Neill Playwrights Conference
    2015