Private Eyes

by Steven Dietz

3M, 2 F. PRIVATE EYES is a comedy of suspicion in which nothing is ever quite what it seems. Matthew's wife, Lisa, is having an affair with Adrian, a British theatre director. Or perhaps the affair is part of the play being rehearsed. Or perhaps Matthew has imagined all of it simply to have something to report to Frank, his therapist. And, finally, there is Cory—the mysterious woman who seems to shadow the others—who brings the story to its surprising conclusion. Or does she? The audience itself plays the role of detective in this hilarious "relationship thriller" about love, lust and the power of deception

Genres: Plays, Drama

72 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Steven Dietz is an American playwright whose work is largely performed regionally, i.e. outside of New York City. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dietz graduated in 1980 with a Theater degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He is the recipient of the PEN U.S.A. Award in Drama (for Lonely Planet); the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award (Fiction and Still Life With Iris); and the Lila Wallace/Reader's Digest Award (The Rememberer). Halcyon Days is one of his other successful plays. Many of his plays are very political. He lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Leta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very consciously theatrical script about the nature of suspicion. The play is great fun as with every scene the audience has to unlearn what they think they know.

[Sydney]

Brilliant. I mean, truly, I was left reeling.

Great for 2 person scenes for sure.

[Av S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class. Not many thoughts.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nesting doll of a play involves a play about adultery; a real life affair between a director and the lead in his play, carried out before the eyes of her husband, the play's other actor; a detective on the trail of a philandering director husband; a man in therapy trying to cope with his wife's suspected infidelity; and a counter affair between an actor and a detective.

This might be one of those plays that would be more fun to act in than it would be to watch. The many transitions between stories might be intriguing for an audience, but then again, they might just be befuddling. I think it would take some gifted direction and acting to make those transitions clear. But it would be fun to try!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for monologues... so this is what I am currently sticking my nose in... anyone have any suggestions of a monologus I should do?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting exploration of point of view.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading this with two other people.

[Marcel · Rating 2 out of 5]

yeah so i did only skim this mostly reading stage directions for a class but im logging it regardless idc idc idc