←Recommendations of The Deal

A young White convict, Stu, new to the penal system, has become the cellmate of Vince, an older Black convict with a violent history. Through sly dialogue and monologues, Vince skillful plays on Stu's fears of what will happen to him if the gangs get hold of him. Once Stu is thoroughly terrified, Vince makes him an offer. It's never stated openly, but one can guess. Is it an offer Stu can't refuse? Vince is one of the most chilling characters you'll ever encounter. A devil indeed. Good work!

That was chilling. To watch the younger Stu slowly fall under Vince's spell. No violence, no physical force, just the underlying threat and the implications of it, simply stated. Ken Love has written some devastating dialogue here, and the characters are both instantly relatable. Vince may not be the "real" Devil, but he sure knows how to deal like one.

'The Deal' by Ken Love conjures up so many emotions in me as a reader. While the circumstances that the characters are in is not something I have experienced, the tension in the dialogue allowed for my imagination to take over. Suddenly, this became relatable. Chillingly and excellently written. As an audience member, I would love to see this unfold on stage.

The Deal, by Ken Love, is a chilling psychological thriller that effectively illustrates the brutal realities of prison life, where survival often depends on forming alliances. The action of the play takes place in a prison cell where a guilt-stricken new prisoner meets the manipulative psychopath who will be his new roommate. The tension between these two characters is palpable and it would be interesting to watch this unfold on a stage.

Chilling scenario with some shady characters makes for an uncomfortable short in Love's "The Deal". You needn't look far to understand with whom the understanding is made - and what it means. This play will leave you ill at ease in all the best ways. And looking for a way out. Just like Stu. A tense, two-person drama.

This gripping play is set in a prison cell with tension between two convicts, Vince and Stu, who negotiate their shared confinement. The character's interactions reveal layers of vulnerability and cunning. The play balances darkness with moments of unexpected connection. Love masterfully guides them through morality, camaraderie, and survival. It is a compelling snapshot of life behind bars!

To be the new kid on the block, cell block that is, has to be unnerving. And Ken Love paints a frightening picture of the power dynamic between veteran prisoner, Vince, and the new kid, Stu. It’s a testament to Love’s writing that we experience the dissonance of knowing Stu deserves his punishment and also worrying about what’s in store for him. Well done!

This is dark and fills the audience with discomfort. Stu definitely earned his discomfort, but we still see his vulnerability and have a sense of pity for him. But we also know, there's really nothing he can do but bow to his new bunkmate and his rules. Stu has a tough road ahead. Not sure any of us would be ready for this awful journey.

Ken Love masterfully stirs up a chilling sense of dread in the audience as he slowly reveals what (and who) Stu is up against, and the characters vividly come to life. We can easily imagine the horror of this young man who – whether guilty or innocent – finds himself locked up with hardened criminals. Vince's psychological warfare hits its mark, and perhaps Stu feels momentary relief... but our concern for him only grows. The unsettling unspoken ending tells us all we need to know.

The sense of MENACE in this play was just so well done. Love raises the stakes and the tension so well throughout the piece that you're left a bit shaken at the conclusion of it. Life on the inside is certainly hard, as Stu is about to find out. A harrowing 10-minute prison piece that leaves its mark on you after reading or viewing.