Park Benches

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a...

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a possible new future with a chance for closure, or will he be stuck in the agony of the present?

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Park Benches

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: Park Benches

    I have read/recommended this play once before but having been provided with an updated version I was given the privilege to bring this characters to life for Theatrical Shenanigans. They very raw emotion and real characters made bringing this play to life easy and it holds an audience captive as you get to discover the heartache that is going on in poor David's life. Like many of Darrin's play it gives so much emotionally that it won't fail to tug at the heartstrings, beautifully constructed!

    I have read/recommended this play once before but having been provided with an updated version I was given the privilege to bring this characters to life for Theatrical Shenanigans. They very raw emotion and real characters made bringing this play to life easy and it holds an audience captive as you get to discover the heartache that is going on in poor David's life. Like many of Darrin's play it gives so much emotionally that it won't fail to tug at the heartstrings, beautifully constructed!

  • Michele Clarke: Park Benches

    A moving script - and one that may take courage on the part of a director and actors not to rush it. Because these words are so well written that experiencing their full strength - all the emotion and poignancy - will mean also letting the spaces between the characters breathe.

    A moving script - and one that may take courage on the part of a director and actors not to rush it. Because these words are so well written that experiencing their full strength - all the emotion and poignancy - will mean also letting the spaces between the characters breathe.

  • Nora Louise Syran: Park Benches

    Lovely. As David grapples with accepting the inevitable passing of his wife who is "in-between" this life and the next, he is joined on a park bench by Agnes. "It's okay. I'm Agnes." I love the simplicity of this. The light in the darkness. The hope. And her character serves as a beautiful tool of exposition allowing us to understand David's predicament without him hardly saying a word. Bravo.

    Lovely. As David grapples with accepting the inevitable passing of his wife who is "in-between" this life and the next, he is joined on a park bench by Agnes. "It's okay. I'm Agnes." I love the simplicity of this. The light in the darkness. The hope. And her character serves as a beautiful tool of exposition allowing us to understand David's predicament without him hardly saying a word. Bravo.

View all 21 recommendations

Character Information

All roles can be cast as any race or color. Any male-identifying person may be cast as David.
  • DAVID
    A good man facing an unspeakable sorrow.
    Character Age
    30s+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • AGNES
    A woman from another place.
    Character Age
    50s+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Broken Arts Entertainment, Year 2026
  • Type Professional, Organization The Art of Becoming: Gala , Year 2026
  • Type Professional, Organization Bridges and Stages 10-Minute Play Festival, Year 2025
  • Type Professional, Organization The Becoming Arts Collective, Year 2025
  • Type Professional, Organization Theatrical Shenanigans, Year 2025
  • Type Professional, Organization Equity Library Theatre Festival, Year 2024