The Altruists - Acting Edition by Nicky Silver

by Nicky Silver

THE ALTRUISTS revolves around a dedicated, if disorganized and demented, group of young radicals. These are the kids who protest. They protest arts funding and arms funding. They protest school cutbacks and AIDS cutbacks and welfare cutbacks. They march for gay rights and children's rights and Women Against Drunk Drivers. But their morality is put to the test one day when Sydney, a shallow, anorexic soap-opera actress, fires a gun into the hulking body of her sleeping boyfriend. Terrified, she looks to her brother, Ronald, the center of this merry band of radicals, for help. Ronald, a social worker, wants to aid his sister, but at the moment he's consumed with love. The object of his affection? A young runaway prostitute, Lance. It is Ethan, Ronald's cohort, who points out that they need Sydney without her money they can do no good in the world. After all, "firebombs don't grow on trees." And when Sydney pressures him, revealing her vulnerability and her real affection for the first time, Ronald acquiesces. He makes the ultimate sacrifice, that of his own happiness for the greater good. And this group of altruists frames Lance, never noticing the irony as they head off to protest the unjust outcome of a trial involving a young man who resembles Lance in every way.

Genres: Plays, Theatre

Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mickdemaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man can write, dialogues fast and implacable, there's room for rwflection on youth an mankind. A damn fine play, as usual from Mr. Silver.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny play! It was nice to see where my monologue came from.

[Rhys Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is a fantastic comedy/drama mix that will have everyone rolling in tears (maybe) and laughter. I first saw this play translated in Greece and the performance was stupendous. In fact it stayed with me for six years and now that I read the original it didn't fail to bring up the same emotions.
The Altruists is about five characters, revolutionaries, who rally for good causes, but when Sydney, the self-obsessed soap opera actress kills her husband it brings a whole set of events in motion resulting in the false incrimination of one character as they step out of the house to rally for the death penalty of another falsely accused man.
The play is ironic, witty, fast paced with its heartbreaking moments shining all the way through. Highly recommended.

[Andy Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start but great finish. TAlks about the "sacrifices" we make for the people and causes we "love" but along the way, the play exposes that most choices are self-serving. Good ironic fun sprinkled all over. Some compelling monologues. Definitely going to read more of her plays.

[Mack Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

HILARIOUS!

[Rachel Dalton]

Serio-comedy. Lots of good monologues.