How Long ?

[Arisa81]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how long plays normally run.
Would a monologue be a shorter length?

[mindelei]

Wow...sorry no one's bothered to answer your question. Although it can vary, I'd say a typical play lasts about 1.5-2.0 hours (including a 15 minute intermission). Of course, you do see longer pieces...although those are generally classical works (Shakespeare and the like).

For monologues...if you have a one-man/one-woman show...then its the entire length of the show. But I would say your generally looking at 2-5 minutes on average with a lengthy monologue of 15 minutes.

Anybody?

Mindelei :Sun:

[Maryn]

I've been attending regional theatre for many years, and have seem plays ranging from about 75 minutes (without the intermission) to nearly four hours (hideously long even though it was quite good).

Like mindelei says, plays often incorporate monologues, but a one-player show or play is, in essence, one big monologue. Currently there are quite a few in regional production--often someone bringing an historical person back to life (i.e., Mark Twain) or a single person playing a wide variety of characters.

Hope this is of some help.

Maryn