Lesson Plans

Five great plays with dynamic duologues

Publish Date: Edit Date: Plays for Study
In each issue of D&T we bring you five suggested plays for studying or mounting with your students. In this edition, Isabelle Tyner looks at plays that feature brilliant duologues
 Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell in The Effect at the National Theatre
Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell in The Effect at the National Theatre - Marc Brenner

Cast: 2 females

Synopsis: A Streetcar Named Desire continues to be a widely studied and revived play, if you have two actors who are willing to give the southern accent a try, this duologue is both moving and dynamic. Set in New Orleans, Blanche turns up unexpectedly to visit her sister Stella hoping to confine in her about the loss of their family estate in Mississippi, only to find out that she has married a polish immigrant, Stanley Kowalski.

Why it's great: All the character's true colours are exposed throughout the play within the small and shabby apartment as Blanche has to adjust from her well-off upbringing to her sister's poor living conditions and questionable relationship. Scene four presents a gritty duologue for Stella and Blanche, as Blanche confronts Stella about the life she's chosen. What makes this duologue so compelling is the stark difference in both the sisters' perspective and emotional reaction. Stella is calm, content and happy with her life. Blanche is frantic, paranoid and anxious.

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