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Conrad Aiken

CONRAD AIKEN  (1889 - 1973)

 Nationality:    USA
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a


Conrad Aiken, author of the play MR. ARCULARIS, published by Dramatists Play Service, Inc., was best known as a poet. Also an essayist and short-story writer, Aiken received wide acclaim for his autobiography, Ushant, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1930 for his Selected Poems. In an interview for his eightieth birthday in 1969, Mr. Aiken said that his worth had been neglected by the public. Of fifty or more titles (thirty-five of poetry, five novels, one autobiographical essay and several collections of stories and criticism), there was not one best-seller. He won an impressive number of awards  the Pulitzer Prize for 1930, the National Book Award in 1954, the Bollingen Prize in 1956, the Gold Medal of the National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1958, and the National Medal for Literature in 1969. He was, moreover, consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress from 1950 to 1952. Conrad Aiken died of a heart attack at age 84 in 1973.

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below is a list of Conrad Aiken's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

 Mr Arcularis         Silent Snow, Secret Snow

Mr Arcularis

Synopsis:
The action begins in an operating room, where Mr. arcularis undergoes major heart surgery. To hasten his recuperation he embarks on a prolonged sea voyage-but many of his fellow passengers are strangely similar to the doctors and nurses from the hospital. There is some confusion when Mr. arcularis' name is not found among those of the Purser's list, but he settles in to enjoy his trip. But two disclosures disturb him. The other travelers tell him of his sleepwalking and the Steward reveals that there is a coffin on board. When it is discovered someone has tried to force open the coffin an inquiry is held, and the culprit proves to be Mr. arcularis. The knowledge of his action unleashes a flood of painful memories; his childhood, his mother's infidelity, the discovery of her drowned body. Struggling to sort out the meaning of his existence Mr. arcularis cries out for light. . .and we are back in the operating room where the play began. This time, however, the mood is intent and somber as the patient's pulse slow

Notes:
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1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Harvard University press, 1957
Dramatists Play Service, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Fantasy

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Silent Snow, Secret Snow

Synopsis:
Paul Hasleman has the ability to enter his dream world of snow and ice and peacefulness no matter what is going on around him

Notes:
Written by Conrad Aiken and Susan Carle

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Dramatic Publishing Company 1974   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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