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Harris W Freedman

HARRIS W FREEDMAN

  (1942 - )
Nationality:    British
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    n/a

Harris' full-length plays have been produced in the USA and the UK, including, Selling Off, a full-length comedy, (John Houseman Theatre, Off-Broadway, NYC, Directed by Gene Feist); Peanut Butter & Jelly, a full length Drama, (University of the Streets Theatre, NYC, Directed by Harris), there aren't any, a full-length poetry play, (several venues in NYC, Directed by Harris); Moscow Shadows, a full-length tragic-comedy (the New end Theatre, Hampstead, London, Directed by Philip Grout); ella's Secret, a full-length Drama, (ethnic Cultural Theatre, Seattle, Washington, usa, Directed by Harris); a Minute Of Silence, a full-length Dramatic comedy, (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London, Directed by Harris); a Minute Of Silence achieved Finalist status in the 2001 New Century Writers awards and Semi-Finalist status in the 1998 Julie Harris Playwright award Competition administered by the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild; Something in Common, a full-length Drama, (assembly Room Theatre, Edinburgh Festival 1999 and Warehouse Theatre, Croydon, London, both productions were Directed by Harris). Lunch with SAndy, a ten-minute Drama, (the Machine Room Theatre, London, Directed by Emma Benson). Harris directed a rehearsed reading of the Family Jewels, a full-length bittersweet comedy, at the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus (West end). the Family Jewels achieved Finalist status in the Sonoma County Repertory (California) 2002 Play Competition. Harris also directed a rehearsed reading of Tchaikovsky, a full-length Drama, at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Gardens, London. His feature-length Dramatic screenplay, Broken Thread, was produced in 2007 by Deepak Nayar (Bend it Like Beckham; Buena Vista Social Club; Bride and Prejudice; Mistress of Spices); the director was Mahesh Mathai (Bhopal express). Shooting took place in India and the UK. Harris is a member of the Dramatists Guild, NYC, English PeN and he is an associate member of the Writers in Prison Committee of PeN. Harris is also a Theatre Director. awards: Southern Justice screenplay, aloha accolade award winner 2011 Honolulu Film Festival awards; 2010 Canada International Film Festival Fifth Place, and Semi-Finalist in the 2010 Rhode Island Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Selling Off screenplay, Finalist in aceFest 2010 Great American Screenplay Competition, NYC, and Honourable Mention at the 2010 amsterdam Film Festival. a Minute of Silence screenplay, Semi-Finalist in the 2010 Slamdance Sceeenplay Competition. the Family Jewels play, Semi-Finalist, 2008 Writemovies.com International Play Writing Contest. the Post Office screenplay, Finalist, 2008 London Independent Film Festival Feature-Length Screenplay award, also Semi-Finalist 2008 Kaos Films British Feature Screenplay Competition, and Quarter Finalist, 2006 Slamdance Screenplay Competition. Selling Off screenplay, Honorable Mention (Fourth place), 2007 Writemovies.com International Writing Contest-Feature Screenplay. Southern Justice, the Post Office, My Name Isn't Judit screenplays were Finalists 2007 Writemovies.com International Writing Contest Screenplay award. Irina's eye novel was Quarter-Finalist, 2007 Writers' Network 15th annual Fiction Competition for Unpublished Novels, and Semi-Finalist in the 2006 William Faulkner Writing Competition for Unpublished Novels. the Family Jewels play was Finalist, 2002 Sonoma County Repertory Play Competition. a Minute of Silence play was Finalist, 2001 New Century Playwright award, and Semi-Finalist, 1998 Julie Harris Playwright award, Beverly Hills Theatre Guild.

Research:    Member of the Dramatists Guild of America

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below is a list of Harris W Freedman's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Death In Brooklyn, A         Ella's Secret         Family Jewels, The         Lunch With Sandy         Minute Of Silence, A         Moscow Shadows         Selling Off         Something In Common         Tchaikovsky         Thieves Road, The         Whisper Of Wings

Death In Brooklyn, A

Synopsis:
Brooklyn, 1960. David, age 13, is suddenly orphaned and he finds himself on a journey to come to terms with the loss of his parents. He rebels against the neurotic aunt and uncle he is forced to live with. He meets a stranger, Mr G, age 75, who changes his life.

Notes:
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1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
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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

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ella's Secret

Synopsis:
On a quiet Sunday morning in London in 1980, Ella receives an unexpected visit from Helga, a woman she has never met before. Helga is the wife of Eric, a former SS officer, who had arrested Ella in mid-1939 in Cologne Germany when Ella was fourteen years old. Now these two women are meeting for the first time. Helga has a mission, and Ella has a secret.

Notes:
Four command performances At the ethnic Cultural theatre, Seattle Wa, USA,Co-produced by the 28th Annual International Scholars Conference on the Holocaust And the Churches And the ethnic Cultural Centre theatre of the University of Washington. Also staged readings At: United Nations, NYC, USA; Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Centre, UK to mark the First Year Anniversary of the Centre; Holocaust Museum Houston education Center And Memorial, Texas, USA.

1st Produced:
Ethnic Cultural Centretheatre, Seattle Washington Usa    1998

Organisations:
ethnic Cultural CentreTheatre, Seattle Washington USA

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Family Jewels, The

Synopsis:
Sam's wife has died after 60 years of marriage and his behaviour has become eccentric. His son is finding it difficult to take care of him, and his daughter, who has been living overseas, comes to help. they try to decide Sam's future and a lifetime of bittersweet memories, resentment and festering sibling rivalry are brought to the surface.

Notes:
Staged Reading At Criterion theatre, Piccadilly Circus, London, UK. the Family Jewels, was Semi-Finalist in the 2008 Writemovies.com International Play Writing Contest, And Finalist in the 2002 Sonoma County Repertory (California) New Play Competition.

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
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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:
Comedy-Bittersweet

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lunch With Sandy

Synopsis:
Sandy is having a man for lunch.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
The Machine Room, Kentish Town, London    1998

Organisations:
the Machine Room

1st Published:
-   -

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

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Genre:
Comedy 10 min

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Minute Of Silence, A

Synopsis:
Dora is a psychologist. Barry is a university graduate who has chosen to spend his life in the circus making and repairing the performers' shoes. Barry's parents cannot accept his choice and employ Dora to rescue him. they do not tell her that Barry is deaf. the love story between Barry and Dora, a hearing woman, unfolds through dialogue, physical theatre and sign language. Dora struggles to come to terms with her own problems whilst under the illusion that it is Barry who needs help. an ensemble of eight actors act out the story, have fun and mock the seriousness of the scenes. a Minute of Silence offers the audience a rare glimpse of the world through the eyes of Barry, a deaf man. Barry's witty and playful approach to life challenges many of the hearing world's misconceptions about deafness.

Notes:
Time: the present; Place: Any Country; Setting: Practice Circus Tent - Bare Stage with minimum props As needed.

1st Produced:
Upstairs/Gateh'se, London    1998

Organisations:
Mettle Productions

1st Published:
-   -

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

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Genre:
Surrealist Comedy/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4 (2 deaf, 2 hearing)            Female:  4 (1 deaf, 3 hearing)            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Moscow Shadows

Synopsis:
Moscow Shadows takes place in Moscow in 1989 in the atmosphere of perestroika and glasnost. It is the story of two widows of the Soviet system who have been close friends for over 40 years. anna remains an idealist and Natasha is disillusioned and cynical. Moscow Shadows tells of their relationship and conflicts. Natasha is a blackmarketeer, selling ikons for dollars, which is a capital offence. anna takes in illegal boarders. their neighbour is murdered and the ensuing police investigation brings unexpected and tragic consequences.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
equinox Productions

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Tragic-comedy

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Selling Off

Synopsis:
alan, an intensely busy New York accountant, realizes that his success is hollow and pointless. He decides to sell his business and get out of the 'rat-race'. When he breaks his 'good news' to the people around him his life goes out of control. His ex-wife claims the sales proceeds; his mother accuses him of ruining his life; his girlfriend refuses to go out with him; his lawyer refuses to talk to him except through his own lawyer; his clients threaten; his banker rebels; his business partner goes berserk. the pressure builds into a frenzy of misunderstandings and confrontations with disastrous results.

Notes:
Set in the Present. the Action takes place in one day.

1st Produced:
John Houseman Theatre, Off-Broadway, NYC, Usa    1991

Organisations:
Takka Productions

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Black Comedy

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Something In Common

Synopsis:
Charlie is a mysterious and attractive woman who has a secret plan to ensure the justice she needs to put a terrifying past behind her.

Notes:
Set in the present in London.

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Mettle Productions

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Tchaikovsky

Synopsis:
Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): the play deals with Tchaikovsky's inner life, his creative force, the important relationships in his life, his successes and failures. Tchaikovsky struggled with depression and to reconcile his homosexuality, which he considered normal and natural for himself, with his profound need to avoid hurting his family and losing face as a result of a scandal by being publicly exposed and prosecuted. (Homosexuality was against the law.) Did Tchaikovsky die of cholera or of self-induced poison? Was he forced to choose suicide or exile to escape a scandal and prosecution as a homosexual? excerpts from Tchaikovsky's music and ballets are selectively used in the play.

Notes:
Staged Reading: Tristan Bates theatre, Actors Centre, Covent Garden, London, UK

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
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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:
Historical Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Thieves Road, The

Synopsis:
Denver Colorado, June 1891: armstrong, age 50, founder of the largest Custer fan club, has hired Sarah, age 22, to be a teacher for his wife's young children. the play begins when Sarah arrives at armstrong's house after travelling all the way from NYC. We learn that Sarah was offered the position on the recommendation of Custer's widow, Libbie Custer, for whom she worked as secretary answering correspondence from Custer admirers. We learn that Libbie and armstrong have never met. and it quickly becomes apparent that armstrong and Sarah hold diametrically opposing views of Custer and the fate of Native Americans. as the friction between them grows, Sarah reveals her story and the conflict reaches explosive proportions.

Notes:
June 1891, the stage is bare, except for the minimum props And furniture requied.

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Whisper Of Wings

Synopsis:
Jacob, a deaf and mute man in his 30s, is given the gift of speech and hearing, but never having heard nor spoken before he is convinced he must be dreaming. Whisper of Wings is a journey through the silence.

Notes:
Bare stage except for A chair-sized stone. Staged Readings At Tabard theatre London And University of the Streets NYC

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

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:
Drama - One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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