In a Dark Dark House: A Play [Paperback]

Neil LaBute (Author, Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

Two brothers meet on the grounds of a private psychiatric facility. Drew, has been court-confined for observation and has called his older brother, Terry, to corroborate his claim of childhood sexual abuse by a young man from many summers ago. Drew's request releases barely-hidden animosities between the two: Is he using these repressed memories to save himself while smearing the name of his brother's friend? Through pain and acknowledged betrayal, the brothers come to grips with and begin to understand the legacy of abuse, both inside and outside their family home.

 

In a Dark, Dark House is the latest work from Neil LaBute, American theater's great agent provocateur. The play will have its world Premiere in May 2007, Off Broadway at New York's MCC Theater.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is no playwright on the planet these days who is writing better than Neil LaBute." -- John Lahr, The New Yorker

"The most legitimately provocative and polarizing playwright at work today." --David Amsden, New York magazine

"[LaBute's] view of modern men and women is unsparing . . . [He] is holding up a pitiless mirror to ourselves. We may not like what we see, but we can't deny that--if only in some dark corner of our souls--it is there." --Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News (White Plains, New York)

"Like a chiropractor of the soul, LaBute is looking for realignment, listening for a crack." --John Istel, Elle

About the Author

Neal LaBute's most recent works for the stage include This Is How It Goes (Faber, 2005) and Fat Pig (Faber, 2004), which won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber; Revised edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865479836
• ISBN-13: 978-0865479838
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neal LaBute's most recent works for the stage include This Is How It Goes (Faber, 2005) and Fat Pig (Faber, 2004), which won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off Broadway Play.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A dark dark story...and impact, July 25, 2007

By 

S. P. Riordan (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In a Dark Dark House: A Play (Paperback)

I am a true admirerer of the work of Neil LaBute. I've seen many of his plays in New York and have seen all of his films (Even Hollow Man...Ugggh). In a Dark, Dark House is a very valid addition to his repertoire. Recently I have found his plays have become a bit predicatble, possibly due to the rapidity in which he writes. His recent works have also had a tendency to hit you with an unapologetic ton of bricks with the theme or "moral." However, this one took me by surprise. Not only by the original structure and pattern but also by the incredibly intricate characterization. Both leads are an actor's dream and I wish I was in New York when it was playing. It would have been interesting to see what was done. Bottom line, it's a good and surprising read folks, especially if you are a LaBute aficionado.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neil Labute's most personal work, July 26, 2007

By 

Coco Pazzo (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In a Dark Dark House: A Play (Paperback)

Another disturbing but impossibe to put down play by the young heir to Tennesse Williams, Edward Albee and Mamet. A must-read for LaBute aficionados.