Imagine the irony: the richest man in America kept his wife chained in a damp cellar for over a year. The "treatment" was isolation, darkness, and neglect. She died there in 1815. Robertson’s play takes this skeleton of history and breathes terrifying, poetic life into it.
When analyzing the script for casting or character study, the roles demand immense emotional range:
Mary spent the last 25 years of her life locked away, despite evidence suggesting she was not mentally ill when she was committed.
[Stephen Girard] ---> Declares Legal Insanity (Due to Pregnancy) ---> [Tranquilizing Chair] | v [The 5 Furies] <--- Torment, Mock, and Impersonate Figures <--- [Mary's Broken Sanity]
To help you move forward with your theatrical project, tell me:
is a haunting 1976 one-act play by Lanie Robertson that remains a staple for high school theater competitions, college showcases, and community drama groups.
The protagonist. Demands extreme emotional range, physical stamina, and vulnerability. Antagonist Mary’s wealthy, calculated, and remorseless husband. The Furies (1-5)
: This is the official publisher and licensing agent for Lanie Robertson's works. You can buy the paperback script or apply for performance rights directly on their website. Why It Remains Relevant
Focus on stamina. The role demands intense emotional pacing so you do not burn out your voice or energy in the first ten minutes.
Chorus members who play multiple roles (Warders, Mrs. Lum, Polly). They require synchronized physical theater skills. Supporting
The dramatic tension peaks because Mary is completely sane. The play takes place during her first terrifying night in the asylum. Surrounded by "the Furies"—hallucinatory figures representing her fears, her captors, and society’s judgment—Mary struggles to maintain her grip on reality. 🎭 Character Breakdown
Mary was married to Stephen Girard, one of the wealthiest men in American history. When the marriage deteriorated and Mary became pregnant by another man, Stephen used his immense wealth and influence to have her declared legally insane.