The Divorce Game
Scot and Jann, Sitting in a Tree

by Lou Furman

3 women, 2 men, unit set. 50 minutes . $ 6.50

Plays about substantive issues like divorce don't have to be deadly serious or even realistic to be able to ring with truth. They can be full of stylized theatrical invention. They can warp time, parody TV game shows, even turn the custody battle into a frantic competition over which parent can give the child the most toys in a five minute span of time.

The Divorce Game does all of the above, and more. But make no mistake. It is a compassionate, compellingly honest look at the world of a family in divorce. Jessica, a 10 year old, has been thrust into the middle of her parents' conflict. Daniel, a neighboring teen, allies himself with her in an attempt to derail the divorce. Predictably--and realistically--they fail. But in the process, both families emerge with new insights.

The Divorce Game is a piece to challenge the best talents of a college or young professional company. Yet, surprisingly, high school students, when given a chance, have taken it as their own.

Our production of Divorce Game proved to be successful beyond our expectations. I anticipated that the text would speak to the audience, as it is so audience friendly, and clearly written. The action of the play underscores the messages, and thus the audience received it well. But I didn't anticipate the extent of the play's communication. Sosme of our audience members asked me if we could do an additional performance, because they had a number of divorced friends who "needed" to see it. Another audience member shared with me that it provided a sense of healing. And finally, perhaps most importantly for our production, we cast a mother and daughter who were going through a messy divorce at the time rehearsals begin. The play helped both of them get some insight, and gave them a space and a reference in which to communicate with each other. This was a rewarding, somewhat therapeutic experience for all of us!
Ginny Quidley, Columbia Basin College