Overview
Synopsis
Based on a true story, The Insanity of Mary Girard is a dark, brooding drama depicting Mary Girard on her first day in an insane asylum. After she became pregnant by another man, her wealthy husband declared her legally insane and bribed the hospital to keep her in a lunatic cell for the rest of her life. The play begins with Mary sitting in a tranquilizing chair as she’s visited by ghost-like figures called “furies”--figments of her imagination that taunt her and impersonate characters in her own life such as her mother, husband, and her husband’s mistress. This piece of historical fiction examines the role of women’s rights in the 1790s and follows Mary’s journey through her declining sanity in the asylum. The furies in this play showcase a captivating use of dialogue as their text is shared, alternating between the five furies at each use of punctuation. The role of Mary Girard is a fiery, dynamic powerhouse that is a dramatic showcase for a serious performer. Haunting, heart-breaking, and thought provoking, The Insanity of Mary Girard is a fascinating look into the past of women’s rights.
Show Information
- Book
- Lanie Robertson
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1976
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical, Horror
- Settings
- Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set, Period
- Time & Place
- 1790, an insane asylum cell in the basement of the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Mature Audiences, Mostly Female Cast, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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