←Recommendations of A Good Year

As is typical for Philip, he gets right to the point with "A Good Year." He is unafraid to go there and make people see not only the vulnerabilities in his characters but the complications that hit them in the face so unforgivingly. If you are looking for a piece representing his work as a whole, this is one to look at. It's powerful, engaging, and of course, well-written. I highly recommend it.

Fleeing to a new job across the country after the dissolution of his long-term relationship, Marc is vulnerable to being manipulated into situations that threaten his job and his reputation. By the end of the play, lessons are learned, a villain escapes unscathed, a student finds his footing as an independent adult, and Marc finds that after adversity there is hope for future happiness. As a character, Marc is flawed but sympathetic. Another excellent, engaging work by Philip Middleton Williams.

Philip Middleton Williams has his own unique and highly effective style and it is on full display in "A Good Year." A young teacher lands his dream job but finds that it comes with a challenge or two. Or three. When trouble rears its head does he do the right thing or the convenient thing? Can he look the other way for a friend, or would that violate his own ethical standards? All this in the midst of a love triangle (or is it a love quadrangle?) he finds himself in. A fine piece by Mr. Williams.

PHILIP MIDDLETON WILLIAMS’ “A Good Year”, is a wonderful play and is highly recommended. I really enjoyed the love of teaching imbued by Marc, as he did what most teachers do: value their students, give all they can to encourage their students, and expect nothing less than the best from their students. The challenges of working in Marc’s “dream job” were more than he might have expected. Marc’s integrity, love of teaching, and his high moral standards were tested. There is much to like in this gem by a very talented playwright.

As someone who is studying to become a teacher, I am always intrigued by stories featuring teachers and stories set in a school and Philip Middleton Williams did not disappoint with his compelling drama. The dialogue is witty and engaging, the premise is gripping, and the character interactions put you on the edge of your seat. I loved the twists and turns as well as the love triangles that Philip sets up so well. Compelling and well done!

Philip Middleton Williams has once again proven that he is a master at dialogue story telling. This time through the eyes and interactions of Marc Griffen. The teacher is the student metaphor fits perfectly in a year in his life. This is different than his previous shows as tension and release ebb and flow throughout to give a true "A year in the life" type story. The word that keeps coming up for me is authentic. A Good Year is an authentic look into fictional characters.

We experience growth every day, but there are weightier moments, moments we can point to, where the things we encounter instill a resolve in us. These tests remind us not only of the people we are, but the people we hope to be. "A Good Year" is an unflinching example of what remaining true to your morals (whatever they may be) can cost. Money, friendship, dreams, in some cases...everything. But that resolve is something that never goes away. And that matters. Williams has a powerhouse piece of writing on his hands, and I eagerly await where it may go.

For Mark, the decision to report a plagiarizing student is no decision at all. His principles are unflinching. Nothing tempts him to cross the line. But Mark does have temptations in which the line isn’t so sharply drawn. Williams has written a wonderful story of men wrestling with decisions that have consequences. In the satisfying conclusion, Mark certainly leaves with some lessons learned. In that regard, it’s been a good year. Even more so for Brian, the HS senior who has lessons that he’ll carry with him for the rest of his life. A thought-provoking piece!

Taking elements of recent news stories, Middleton Williams creates a never predictable story and layers his own spin on the now familiar themes. In a tale of an almost-love-triangle in a privileged, competitive academic environment, he unravels compelling characters skilfully and manages the considerable feat of suggesting and then dodging stereotype and cliche.

Sex, plagiarism, and ethics are given a workout in this drama set in a prestigious high school. Philip Middleton William’s places his protagonist, a newbie teacher, as the ball in a sexual ping pong game between one of his students and the boy’s father – who is on the school’s board. When the student is caught plagiarizing his term paper, all hell breaks loose and no one emerges unscathed. There’s much to admire in this early draft, particularly William’s grasp on the milieu and the stakes involved; one looks forward to its further development.