About the Play:

A Phoenix Too Frequent is a one-act comedy by Christopher Fry, based on a tale by Petronius. An ancient Roman widow plans to starve herself to join her husband in death, until a soldier guarding the husband's tomb charms her back into living. A combination of satiric comedy and delightful verse.

A Phoenix Too Frequent is a combination of satiric comedy and delightful verse set in the Middle Ages in which love overcomes prejudice and hypocrisy. In this version of the famous Matron of Ephesus, we have a fresh retelling of the story of a pious widow — and her maid — who mourns for the death of her recently deceased husband in the tomb where his bier lies awaiting internment. The maid is not quite so pious, yet both women begin to suffer the pangs of a self-imposed hunger. There are signs that they also are unhappy over the loss of male company, but not until a handsome guard appears does the widow begin regretting her noble experiment in withdrawing from the world. The guard is invited to keep the ladies company, and he in turn invites them to partake of his food. Before long the widow is ready to forget her pious devotions and shows indications of returning speedily to a worldly and pleasant life which she had too soon decided to give up.

A Phoenix Too Frequent was first staged in 1946 at the Mercury Theatre in London, starring Paul Scofield in his first London lead. On the strength of this production, Christopher Fry was engaged as staff dramatist at the Arts Theatre on the understanding that he would write something. From it came The Lady's Not for Burning, his first play in the West End of London.

Cast: 2 female, 1 male

About the Playwright:

Christopher Fry (1907-2005) was an English playwright. One of the most celebrated playwrights of the 20th century, he was one of the few to write successfully in verse leading many to regard him as the Shakespeare of his time for his poetry and wit. His first major success was A Phoenix Too Frequent, which made him a major force in theatre in the 1940s and 1950s. He is best known for his durable comedy The Lady's Not for Burning. He also wrote or collaborated on several screenplays including the script for Hollywood's 1959 epic motion picture Ben Hur.