Death and the Psychiatrist

Death and the Psychiatrist: Even Death could use a friend.

When Mortimer Graves shows up at Psychiatrist Dr. Donald Thompson’s office claiming to be the Grim Reaper the good Doctor simply assumes that Mortimer is under the delusion that he is death. Although Mortimer says he is there to escort Dr. Thompson to the other side, Dr. Thompson convinces Mortimer that he should go into therapy in order to help him deal with his loneliness and emotional issues. With the Doctor’s help Mortimer confronts his emotional issues and Doctor Thompson, with Mortimer’s help, reevaluates his life priorities.

One Act Comedy – 3M, or 2M & 1 W, single set, 50 minutes

“I often show up when I’m not expected, and on those occasions, I’m usually not welcome. You know people can say the meanest things. Things that until recently never really bothered me, but I’ve discovered that words can sting. And a lot of people actually hate me. Despise me. Well, I think it’s rather shallow to judge an entire person based merely on his occupation.”

MORTIMER GRAVES – DEATH AND THE PSYCHIATRIST

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Dr. Donald Thompson: the psychologist mid 40s successful but stressed and dressed professionally.
Randy Cooper: the patient mid-20s and a bundle of phobias dressed in casual and comfortable clothing.
Mortimer Graves: the Grim Reaper rather ordinary-looking in attire and appearance.
Could be a man of thirty or forty or fifty or…whatever age works.

The part of the Psychiatrist can be played by a woman and named Dr. Donna Thompson.

SETTING

The warm and inviting office of Psychiatrist Dr. Donald Thompson.

TIME

Just before 4:00 pm the Friday before the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend.* Just before 4:00 pm the Tuesday before Thanksgiving for U.S. Version

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

2017 – Voted Best Playwright: 24th Annual MiniFest at Acadia University – Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
2017 – Finalist Shakespeare in the ‘Burg One-Act Play Competition – Middleburg, Virginia, USA
2016 – Finalist 18th Annual Arts & Letters Prize Competition, Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA
2016 – One of three Winning plays at – WordWave: A Festival of Story at Lake Tahoe – South Lake Tahoe, California, USA
2015 – Nominated for The Arts Club of Washington One Act Play Competition – Washington, DC, USA
2015 – 2nd place Frostburg One-Act Playwriting Competition – Frostburg, Maryland, USA