alphabetical author index

Respectable Funeral, A

  • Jimmie Chinn
  • Short Play, Drama, Contemporary
  • 1M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780573122323

Three middle-aged sisters are gathered at the house of their dead mother. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who looked after their mother, has failed to turn up. From the sisters' gossip it appears that Mother was no saint.

  • Short Play
  • Drama
  • 40 minutes

  • Time Period: Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Interior Set
  • Cautions: No Special Cautions

  • Performance Group:
  • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, College Theatre / Student, Senior Theatre
A Respectable Funeral is one of the the first one-act plays from the sensitive and humorous pen of Jimmie Chin. It was presented and performed as a double bill - with one of Mr Chinn's other plays, From Here to the Library -- under the title of Back to Back in Oldham. Boys plays can be performed separately or as an entertaining double bill.

Evadne, Joyce and Greta, three middle-aged sisters, are gathered at the house of their deceased mother, following the funeral. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who had looked after their mother after she was widowed, has failed to turn up. As the sisters talk and gossip, it becomes apparent that their late mother was no saint, being neither a faithful wife nor a loving parent. All the women have plans for the money that they will inherit when their mother's house will be sold; but then suddenly, Charlie arrives -- with a request that will put pay to all their dreams...

This sharp and often very funny play gives us an intimate glimpse of four lives, family relationships and the effect of one woman's' selfishness. 

Premiere Production: The play was first presented by Teddington Theatre Club at Hampton Court Theatre on November 2nd 1983.
  • Casting: 1M, 3F

Name Price
Respectable Funeral, A Script Order Now

A Respectable Funeral is one of the the first one-act plays from the sensitive and humorous pen of Jimmie Chin. It was presented and performed as a double bill - with one of Mr Chinn's other plays, From Here to the Library -- under the title of Back to Back in Oldham. Boys plays can be performed separately or as an entertaining double bill.

Evadne, Joyce and Greta, three middle-aged sisters, are gathered at the house of their deceased mother, following the funeral. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who had looked after their mother after she was widowed, has failed to turn up. As the sisters talk and gossip, it becomes apparent that their late mother was no saint, being neither a faithful wife nor a loving parent. All the women have plans for the money that they will inherit when their mother's house will be sold; but then suddenly, Charlie arrives -- with a request that will put pay to all their dreams...

This sharp and often very funny play gives us an intimate glimpse of four lives, family relationships and the effect of one woman's' selfishness. 

$24.95