Bedford and Squalor

by Joshua Hill

Allie is a struggling writer in 1990's West Village, running a failing zine with his friend Kenneth and trying to make something of his life. When his cousin, Rachel, a clarinet prodigy, arrives to audition for Juilliard, Allie's life is upended as he is faced with his own limitations and uncertain future.

NOTE: After a developmental reading this play is currently going through a revision. The current version...

Allie is a struggling writer in 1990's West Village, running a failing zine with his friend Kenneth and trying to make something of his life. When his cousin, Rachel, a clarinet prodigy, arrives to audition for Juilliard, Allie's life is upended as he is faced with his own limitations and uncertain future.

NOTE: After a developmental reading this play is currently going through a revision. The current version is the version presented for development in 2022.

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Bedford and Squalor

Recommended by

  • Chima Chikazunga: Bedford and Squalor

    “Bedford and Squalor” has a distinct curiosity that follows in every scene, and for me, that’s the appreciation of art. Throughout there’s a shift that happens between these two men when a woman enters their space, it’s both hugely obvious, yet subtle… Though, Hill moves quickly with his dialogue m, we soon discovery why within the second act of the play the importance of art for Hills play as he asks the question…” what price are you willing to pay to be an esteemed artist?”
    I’d love to see this play on its feet soon.

    “Bedford and Squalor” has a distinct curiosity that follows in every scene, and for me, that’s the appreciation of art. Throughout there’s a shift that happens between these two men when a woman enters their space, it’s both hugely obvious, yet subtle… Though, Hill moves quickly with his dialogue m, we soon discovery why within the second act of the play the importance of art for Hills play as he asks the question…” what price are you willing to pay to be an esteemed artist?”
    I’d love to see this play on its feet soon.

  • Jeffrey James Keyes: Bedford and Squalor

    I loved this play and Hill’s smooth grasp of dialogue and storytelling. I’m impressed with the way Bedford and Squalor captures the spirit & energy of the young artist’s journey through the complicated landscape of NYC. The conversation around success and failure and interrogation of what success means is engaging, powerful, and deeply poignant. I look forward to reading (and seeing) more work by this fine dramatist. Well done!

    I loved this play and Hill’s smooth grasp of dialogue and storytelling. I’m impressed with the way Bedford and Squalor captures the spirit & energy of the young artist’s journey through the complicated landscape of NYC. The conversation around success and failure and interrogation of what success means is engaging, powerful, and deeply poignant. I look forward to reading (and seeing) more work by this fine dramatist. Well done!

  • Michael C. O'Day: Bedford and Squalor

    The story of young artists trying to Figure Things Out may be timeless, but there's a canny brilliance in Hill's setting his tale in the New York of the early 90s - the last generation to wrestle with manual typewriters, who can't solve their problems with a single text message, who lament the loss of the opportunities which a previous generation took for granted, without realizing just how ephemeral their own golden age will prove to be.

    Stylish and smart - and the final lines of dialogue will break your heart.

    The story of young artists trying to Figure Things Out may be timeless, but there's a canny brilliance in Hill's setting his tale in the New York of the early 90s - the last generation to wrestle with manual typewriters, who can't solve their problems with a single text message, who lament the loss of the opportunities which a previous generation took for granted, without realizing just how ephemeral their own golden age will prove to be.

    Stylish and smart - and the final lines of dialogue will break your heart.

Character Information

  • Rachel
    Allie's cousin, a prodigy on the clarinet. Sheltered, in town for her Juilliard audition.
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Allie
    A failed writer, trying desperately to keep up appearances.
    Character Age
    Late 20s, Early 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Kenneth
    A young writer of color, a disciple of Allie.
    Character Age
    18 to Early 20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    BIPOC
    Character Gender Identity
    Male