Dirty Laundry

by Mathilde Dratwa

Following the unexpected loss of her mother and simultaneous discovery of her father’s infidelity, an adult daughter juggles grief and anger. Her dad attempts to put into words his complicated feelings about love, loss, and lust. Meanwhile, the “other woman” ponders: What is an affair when it's no longer an affair? In Dirty Laundry, Mathilde Dratwa explores the absurdity and messiness of life and death.

Following the unexpected loss of her mother and simultaneous discovery of her father’s infidelity, an adult daughter juggles grief and anger. Her dad attempts to put into words his complicated feelings about love, loss, and lust. Meanwhile, the “other woman” ponders: What is an affair when it's no longer an affair? In Dirty Laundry, Mathilde Dratwa explores the absurdity and messiness of life and death.

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Dirty Laundry

Recommended by

  • Brynn Hambley: Dirty Laundry

    This play is a reminder that traditional structure and format are not the right choice for every story told upon a stage. The very nature and emotional life of the characters is translated not only through their dialogue with each other and the chorus's comments upon it, but through how the text is laid out. Dratwa is brutally honest and vulnerable in this piece, voicing a lot of the inner thoughts of those of us who have grieved someone or something very deeply. A healing piece, indeed.

    This play is a reminder that traditional structure and format are not the right choice for every story told upon a stage. The very nature and emotional life of the characters is translated not only through their dialogue with each other and the chorus's comments upon it, but through how the text is laid out. Dratwa is brutally honest and vulnerable in this piece, voicing a lot of the inner thoughts of those of us who have grieved someone or something very deeply. A healing piece, indeed.

  • Shaun Leisher: Dirty Laundry

    Really loved this play. Me and her father have such an authentic relationship as they deal with issues like loss and betrayal. Loved the use of the chorus and how they moved the play along. This play has a really great ending that refuses to tie things up neatly. It's a well-earned ending that is filled with truth.

    Really loved this play. Me and her father have such an authentic relationship as they deal with issues like loss and betrayal. Loved the use of the chorus and how they moved the play along. This play has a really great ending that refuses to tie things up neatly. It's a well-earned ending that is filled with truth.

  • Emma Gibson: Dirty Laundry

    This is a fantastic play. Heartbreaking, funny, gorgeously structured and brutally honest in its depiction of death, grief and motherhood. Would love to see this fully realized on stage. Brava!

    This is a fantastic play. Heartbreaking, funny, gorgeously structured and brutally honest in its depiction of death, grief and motherhood. Would love to see this fully realized on stage. Brava!

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Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Playwrights' Center, Year 2022
  • Type Commission, Organization Audible, Year 2021