Gloom, Doom and Soul-Crushing Misery (10 min.)

by Robin Rice

A Russian woman is terribly upset because she can't be despondent. (Good Russians are despondent, you know.) She had a happy dream last night and actually laughed. Her loving husband is patient, but he too is disappointed that she can't be appropriately Russian. A cheerful travel agent appears with a solution. When they aggressively dispense with the highly annoying travel agent, things look much better (or...

A Russian woman is terribly upset because she can't be despondent. (Good Russians are despondent, you know.) She had a happy dream last night and actually laughed. Her loving husband is patient, but he too is disappointed that she can't be appropriately Russian. A cheerful travel agent appears with a solution. When they aggressively dispense with the highly annoying travel agent, things look much better (or worse - which is better). (ten minutes in production)

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Gloom, Doom and Soul-Crushing Misery (10 min.)

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: Gloom, Doom and Soul-Crushing Misery (10 min.) by Robin Rice
    “

    So, when I first read the title of this play I thought I knew exactly what to expect, so imagine my surprise when I found myself smiling at the character descriptions alone! From there you are treated to a wonderfully humorous piece that celebrates...well the emotions we have vs the ones we want. It twists and turns, amusing you all the while before the fabulous shock with the ending! It offers a great chance for performers to play complex, yet wonderful characters in this wonderfully titled and constructed piece!

    So, when I first read the title of this play I thought I knew exactly what to expect, so imagine my surprise when I found myself smiling at the character descriptions alone! From there you are treated to a wonderfully humorous piece that celebrates...well the emotions we have vs the ones we want. It twists and turns, amusing you all the while before the fabulous shock with the ending! It offers a great chance for performers to play complex, yet wonderful characters in this wonderfully titled and constructed piece!

    ”
  • David Elendune: Gloom, Doom and Soul-Crushing Misery (10 min.) by Robin Rice
    “

    Some people are only happy when they're not... On another level perhaps this is a commentary on the 'tortured artist' phase we all seem to go thorough... For while some emerge into the sunshine, others prefer to wallow in the mud.

    Some people are only happy when they're not... On another level perhaps this is a commentary on the 'tortured artist' phase we all seem to go thorough... For while some emerge into the sunshine, others prefer to wallow in the mud.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Gloom, Doom and Soul-Crushing Misery (10 min.) by Robin Rice
    “

    Absolutely hilarious and wonderfully endearing for all fans of Russian theatre and literature. Highly recommend!

    Absolutely hilarious and wonderfully endearing for all fans of Russian theatre and literature. Highly recommend!

    ”

Character Information

MARUSHKA - Older than 15. No upper age limit. Depressed Russian. Wants to be MORE depressed.
ILLYA VENYANKO - Older than 15. No upper age limit. Around the same age as his wife, Marushka. A loving husband. Successfully depressed Russian.
SUNSHINE BEAMER - Age 16 or older. Any gender. Sticky sweet travel agent with a million-dollar, non-stop, highly annoying smile and 100 per cent positive attitude. Sings.
  • Marushka Venyanko - Older than 15. Russian. Trying to be MORE depressed in order to be a good Russian.
    Older than 15. Near her husband's age. Russian. Depressed. Wants to be more depressed in order to be a good Russian.
    Over 15.
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Illya Venyanko
    Older than 15. Around his wife's age. Loving husband. Successfully depressed Russian.
    Older than 15
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Sunshine Beamer
    16 or older. Any gender. Annoyingly cheerful travel agent. Sticky sweet. One-hundred per cent positive. Sings.
    16 or older Annoyingly cheerful travel agent. Sticky sweet. One-hundred per cent positive. Sings.
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Production History

  • Professional, South Korean theater, 2017