Gut

by Alexander Attea

FULL LENGTH: It's 1822. A fur trader named Alexis St Martin gets shot (on accident) and ends up with an open wound in his chest, opening directly to his stomach. His doctor, William Beaumont, uses him and his wound to conduct studies on digestion for the next 11 years. And yes, this really happened. Plus, there’s a framing device of a bunch of other fur traders telling each other this story and acting it out...

FULL LENGTH: It's 1822. A fur trader named Alexis St Martin gets shot (on accident) and ends up with an open wound in his chest, opening directly to his stomach. His doctor, William Beaumont, uses him and his wound to conduct studies on digestion for the next 11 years. And yes, this really happened. Plus, there’s a framing device of a bunch of other fur traders telling each other this story and acting it out while they travel. It’s a ride.

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Gut

Recommended by

  • Sophia Brazda: Gut

    One of the most interesting, wildly imaginative plays I've read in a long time. Lyrical in nature and constantly teetering between legend and history, science and humanity, 'Gut' reads like a fireside story and feels like a second or third-hand account of a great adventure. 10/10.

    One of the most interesting, wildly imaginative plays I've read in a long time. Lyrical in nature and constantly teetering between legend and history, science and humanity, 'Gut' reads like a fireside story and feels like a second or third-hand account of a great adventure. 10/10.

Character Information

  • EDOUARD
    Rambunctious and fun-loving. The stereotypical idea of voyageurs as singing, smoking, drinking, hard-working
    folk. Inseparable from Bernard, like brothers. They poke each other, they hang on each other. When they fight, it’s sharp, tender, and easily forgotten.
    Character Age
    20s - 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man
  • BERNARD
    Rambunctious and fun-loving. The stereotypical idea of voyageurs as singing, smoking, drinking, hard-working
    folk. Inseparable from Edouard, like brothers. They poke each other, they hang on each other. When they fight, it’s sharp, tender, and easily forgotten.
    Character Age
    20s - 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man
  • GIGI
    Plays Alexis in the story. The youngest, quietest member of the group. He’s new to being a voyageur. He has to learn how.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man
  • FRANCOIS XAVIER
    The leader of the voyageurs; the guide. Narrates the story. He’s been a voyageur for many years. He knows the waterways and routes like second nature. Warm, wise, in tune with the quiet of nature and the inner workings of people.
    Character Age
    Late 30s - 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man
  • JEAN
    Plays Beaumont in the story. Maybe a bit ambitious, doesn’t quite connect with the others. More heady and intellectual, in a stoic way.
    Character Age
    20s - 30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization International Museum of Surgical Science, Year 2022
  • Type Residency, Organization Mackinac State Historic Parks, Year 2022

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Platform (a production company), Year 2023