Whose Life Is It Anyway?
by StageCenter Community Theatre
Dec. 04 - Dec. 05 (2023)
A brilliant battle of wits takes place in this extraordinary play. Ken Harrison, a successful sculptor, is paralyzed in a car accident and kept
alive by support systems in a hospital. Outwardly he's cheerful and often very funny, but he's overwhelmed by the fact that he has lost control of his own life. As the play begins, he is coming to the decision that if he can't live as a man, he does not want to exist as a medical achievement. His physician, however, is utterly determined to preserve Ken's life, regardless of its quality. Finally, despite the pleas of the doctor and his involved nurse, Ken invokes the law of habeas corpus and a judge joins the battle to determine "Whose Life Is It Anyway?"
"A battle of ideas and a battle for life. It is a rare successful effort to use a
tense and provacative argument, carried on in unashamed vigor and
prolixity, with a play that lives and moves." -The New York Times
"As relevant today as it was when it won the Society of West End Theatre's best play award." -London Theatre Guide
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY by Brian Clark
Directed by Nancy Woods
Auditions December 4 & 5, 2023 at 7 pm Show Dates
Thursdays through Saturdays
February 8-24, 2024 at 7:30
Sunday Matinee February 18 at 2 pm
Characters
Ken Harrison (M 30s-late 50s): A brilliant sculptor, now completely paralyzed from the neck down and dependent upon medical intervention to stay alive. He’s decided that he does not wish to continue living. Witty, sarcastic, charismatic, and strong-willed. The actor will be in a bed for the entire show and must be able to act using only facial expressions and vocal performance.
Sister Anderson (F 40s-60s): A career nurse dedicated to patient care. Efficient, authoritative, and unemotional, she has seen it all, or thought she had. She understands Ken’s dilemma but is careful not to let her feelings show.
Nurse Sadler (F 20s): Brand new to nursing, she’s unprepared for a patient like Ken and the attendant moral questions that he brings. Young and naïve, and very caring.
John (M 20s): Orderly, interested in Nurse Sadler. Irreverent and the only one that treats Ken with any honesty.
Dr. Joan Scott (F 30s-40s): Very personable and sympathetic to Ken’s plight.
Dr. Michael Emerson (M 40s-60s): Old school physician who believes he knows best and believes in keeping Ken alive at all costs, despite Ken’s wishes. Arrogant, cold, and condescending.
Gillian Boyle (F any age): A social worker completely unprepared for the challenges and arguments Ken presents. Well-meaning but naïve, embracing the dictum of toxic positivity.
Philip Hill (M or F 40s-50s): Ken’s soliciter. Pragmatic, but believes his first duty is to his client. Empathetic and professional.
Dr. Travers (M or F, any age): Hospital’s psychiatrist, who takes Dr. Emerson’s side and works to keep Ken alive against his will.
Justice Millhouse (M or F, 50s): The judge in Ken’s case, who must decide whether to honor Ken’s wishes to stop medical treatment or side with the hospital’s desire to keep Ken alive against his will. Must have gravitas and stage presence. Though it is a small role, it is key to the play.
Peter Kershaw (M or F, 30s-40s): Ken’s barrister.
Dr. Barr (M or F, 20s-50s): Consultant psychiatrist.
