Tag Archives: plays about losing a child

Waiting for John – drama about a family torn apart by a son’s death

WAITING FOR JOHN – DRAMA ABOUT A FAMILY TORN APART BY A SON’S DEATH

Fred has a son called John. He’s all grown up now, but still a good lad. Fred and John spend hours together, but what they like to do best is watch the stars, naming all the constellations. Today Fred is getting the tea ready for John and his wife, Edith. He likes to do this whilst he’s waiting for John. He should be home soon. Any minute now.
Edith had a son called John. He isn’t coming home, not ever again. Not since he got in that car. But she’ll wait as well, wait for her husband to come back to her. A drama about a family torn apart by a son’s death.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

Waiting for John won best play in the 2018 Franklin and Friends one act play festival in Roosevelt Park.
Schultz Theater Off Broadway Players, VA, USA – 2020
Western Nebraska Community College, NE, USA – 2022

Watch a Production by the Off Broadway Players, 2021

Author: Spencer Rowley

Type: One act play

Genre: Drama about a family torn apart by a son’s death

Cast: 1M 2F

Ages of the actors: Mains: middle aged up. Nurse: Any adult age

Suitable for: All ages to watch and teens up to perform.

Length: Twenty minutes

Set: The set is quite simple; no walls or doors, except for a shelf which splits the stage centrally into two parts left and right, and which can be accessed by either character. The shelf is otherwise see-through and must be designed in such a way that it does not affect the audience’ concentration or view. Each character has a chair (Edith’s is a rocking chair). Fred has a trunk containing toys or mementos of his son. Each side has a tea-making facility with kettle/cups/etc., and a small side-table. Each side table has a framed photograph of John, placed so that the audience can see. In the picture John is a young man/teenager.

Level of Difficulty: 7/10 – simple character portrayal is the essence of this award winning play

Read a Sample of the Script




Cost is $10 for this award winning digital play

Contact Off the Wall Plays with any queries about Waiting for John

Copyright © March 2019 Spencer Rowley and Off The Wall Play Publishers

Like this play? Other family dramas you may enjoy:

Daughter like you – family drama about a couple trying to cope with losing a young child
Love, Norman. Norman is about to take his life when his family arrives with an unusual request
Memory Palace – poignant drama surrounding the life of a family as they sell their home