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Belles: A play in two acts and thirty-nine phone calls
play
- GenresFiction
89 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
71 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dunn
66 books207 followersMark Dunn is the author of several books and more than thirty full-length plays, a dozen of which have been published in acting edition.
Mark has received over 200 productions of his work for the stage throughout the world, with translations of his plays into French, Italian, Dutch and Hungarian. His play North Fork (later retitled Cabin Fever: A Texas Tragicomedy when it was picked up for publication by Samuel French) premiered at the New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRC) in 1999 and has since gone on to receive numerous productions throughout the U.S.
Mark is co-author with NJRC composer-in-residence Merek Royce Press of Octet: A Concert Play, which received its world premiere at NJRC in 2000. Two of his plays, Helen’s Most Favorite Day and Dix Tableaux, have gone on to publication and national licensing by Samuel French. His novels include the award-winning Ella Minnow Pea, Welcome to Higby, Ibid, the children’s novel The Calamitous Adventures of Rodney and Wayne, Under the Harrow and Feral Park.
Mark teaches creative writing and leads playwriting seminars around the country, in addition to serving as Vice President of the non-profit PULA (People United for Libraries in Africa), which he founded with his wife, Mary, in 2002.
(modified bio courtesy of http://njrep.org/playwrights.htm)
Mark has received over 200 productions of his work for the stage throughout the world, with translations of his plays into French, Italian, Dutch and Hungarian. His play North Fork (later retitled Cabin Fever: A Texas Tragicomedy when it was picked up for publication by Samuel French) premiered at the New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRC) in 1999 and has since gone on to receive numerous productions throughout the U.S.
Mark is co-author with NJRC composer-in-residence Merek Royce Press of Octet: A Concert Play, which received its world premiere at NJRC in 2000. Two of his plays, Helen’s Most Favorite Day and Dix Tableaux, have gone on to publication and national licensing by Samuel French. His novels include the award-winning Ella Minnow Pea, Welcome to Higby, Ibid, the children’s novel The Calamitous Adventures of Rodney and Wayne, Under the Harrow and Feral Park.
Mark teaches creative writing and leads playwriting seminars around the country, in addition to serving as Vice President of the non-profit PULA (People United for Libraries in Africa), which he founded with his wife, Mary, in 2002.
(modified bio courtesy of http://njrep.org/playwrights.htm)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 5, 2009
Wow, this was a surprising little treat. Having read two of Mark Dunn's novels ("Ella Minnow Pea" -- which is one of my all-time favourite pieces of prose ever -- and "Ibid") and enjoying them thoroughly, I bought this play on a whim. And I'm quite glad I did.
First of all, Mr. Dunn is pretty great at writing female characters. His writing is precise, creatively layered and almost flowery, which makes for a literary environment conducive to the masterful show-don't-tell development of three-dimensional and amusingly engaging female protagonists. He also has a way of glossing over the less-appealing foibles peculiar to women (because, come on gals, you know we're all a little imperfect in all the same ways) and, instead, infusing his leading ladies with a very palpable kindness and wryly intellectual humour. This isn't to say they're entirely without fault -- the six sisters wouldn't be believable characters if that were the case -- but their individual shortcomings and familial squabbles are highlighted just enough to help the plot move along while contributing to the subtle exposure of a backstory.
Secondly, Dunn's a writers' writer. His command of the English language is nothing short of intimidating, and he knows how to paint a beautiful, vivid image with his arsenal of ten-dollar words and awesomefabulous metaphors.
Yep. Mark Dunn's just as solid of a playwright as he is a novelist -- that is to say, a really, really great modern writer whose works should be required reading for humanity.
First of all, Mr. Dunn is pretty great at writing female characters. His writing is precise, creatively layered and almost flowery, which makes for a literary environment conducive to the masterful show-don't-tell development of three-dimensional and amusingly engaging female protagonists. He also has a way of glossing over the less-appealing foibles peculiar to women (because, come on gals, you know we're all a little imperfect in all the same ways) and, instead, infusing his leading ladies with a very palpable kindness and wryly intellectual humour. This isn't to say they're entirely without fault -- the six sisters wouldn't be believable characters if that were the case -- but their individual shortcomings and familial squabbles are highlighted just enough to help the plot move along while contributing to the subtle exposure of a backstory.
Secondly, Dunn's a writers' writer. His command of the English language is nothing short of intimidating, and he knows how to paint a beautiful, vivid image with his arsenal of ten-dollar words and awesomefabulous metaphors.
Yep. Mark Dunn's just as solid of a playwright as he is a novelist -- that is to say, a really, really great modern writer whose works should be required reading for humanity.
February 4, 2009
Nice structure. Could be a lot of fun to produce.
July 10, 2011
Not only did I read this play, I performed as Anise at the Firehouse theater in LaBelle, FL. Great character. The story may be a bit dated, but what's wrong with that? I loved it.
April 25, 2015
A character study with a couple good parts and some nice monologues, but sorely lacking in plot. Requires some strong actresses. 2.5 stars
March 8, 2011
Derivative and dated.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews