Suffering, Inc.

by Brendan Healy

Suffering, Inc, is a unique creation that encapsulates the absurdities of the modern day office environment and contemporary life, yet every line of dialogue has been sourced from the plays of Anton Chekhov. While themes and characters are familiar echoes of Chekhov's work--indeed their continued relevance is haunting--the story itself is original and takes place in current times. Set in the offices of a failing...

Suffering, Inc, is a unique creation that encapsulates the absurdities of the modern day office environment and contemporary life, yet every line of dialogue has been sourced from the plays of Anton Chekhov. While themes and characters are familiar echoes of Chekhov's work--indeed their continued relevance is haunting--the story itself is original and takes place in current times. Set in the offices of a failing investment and retirement firm called New Life Capitol, we see the characters struggle with work woes, money troubles, unrequited love, and the everyday occurrences of office life such as deadlines, birthday parties, coffee breaks, boredom, dismissal and more. The story takes place over a week in a three part structure--Monday morning, Wednesday at noon, and Friday late afternoon. As the play and the week progresses, the actions move from detailed depictions of office life to wild, fantastical events that reveal the inner hearts and hopes of the characters.

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Suffering, Inc.

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  • C. Meaker: Suffering, Inc. by Brendan Healy
    “

    I was just recommending this play to a friend who politely asked if it was on NPX. Lo and behold it is! Even several years later, I still think about this unique play and the experience of sitting in the office with the characters, trying to find a reason for the way we continue on even when things are the worst. This was Chekhov's bailiwick, of course, which is why Healy is a brilliant writer in the way he uses Chekhov's words to tell a modern story about the mundane and absurd quality of office work.

    I was just recommending this play to a friend who politely asked if it was on NPX. Lo and behold it is! Even several years later, I still think about this unique play and the experience of sitting in the office with the characters, trying to find a reason for the way we continue on even when things are the worst. This was Chekhov's bailiwick, of course, which is why Healy is a brilliant writer in the way he uses Chekhov's words to tell a modern story about the mundane and absurd quality of office work.

    ”