Of Kings And Queens

by Garrett W. Martin

Two lifelong friends, Ernie and Walt, meet weekly for a chess game, accompanied by their spouses, Maggie and Sabrina. The spouses take a walk through the park during their time together and discuss their hardships. Ernie, battling the challenges of dementia, struggles to recall most details of his life and even the faces of those around him, except for Walt, whose presence remains vividly familiar. As the story...

Two lifelong friends, Ernie and Walt, meet weekly for a chess game, accompanied by their spouses, Maggie and Sabrina. The spouses take a walk through the park during their time together and discuss their hardships. Ernie, battling the challenges of dementia, struggles to recall most details of his life and even the faces of those around him, except for Walt, whose presence remains vividly familiar. As the story unfolds, flashbacks guided by the characters reveal the rich tapestry of Ernie and Walt’s enduring friendship and the defining moments of their lives. Through these glimpses into the past, the play explores the profound emotional toll that dementia exacts on families and friendships, illuminating the resilience and heartache of those bound by love and memory.

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Of Kings And Queens

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  • Craig Houk: Of Kings And Queens by Garrett W. Martin
    “

    Garrett W. Martin’s Of Kings and Queens is a moving look at friendship, memory, and the strength it takes to care for someone you love. Set in a city park and brought to life with creative staging, the play draws us into the world of Ernie and Walt, two lifelong friends whose regular chess games become a lifeline in the face of Ernie’s advancing dementia. Very nice work.

    Garrett W. Martin’s Of Kings and Queens is a moving look at friendship, memory, and the strength it takes to care for someone you love. Set in a city park and brought to life with creative staging, the play draws us into the world of Ernie and Walt, two lifelong friends whose regular chess games become a lifeline in the face of Ernie’s advancing dementia. Very nice work.

    ”
  • Kathy Rasmussen: Of Kings And Queens by Garrett W. Martin
    “

    This is a heartfelt play that provokes joy and grief simultaneously. The dynamic between Walt and Ernie showcases the kind of respect two men can have for each other after a life of shared memories. Very nicely done.

    This is a heartfelt play that provokes joy and grief simultaneously. The dynamic between Walt and Ernie showcases the kind of respect two men can have for each other after a life of shared memories. Very nicely done.

    ”
The play has flashbacks that I intended the actors playing the roles of the older characters to do simple onstage costume changes or go right into the flashback. However the director could substitute in younger actors for flashback. There isn't much room for ensemble, but if you feel differently that is perfectly acceptable.