All in the Timing⁚ A Collection of One-Act Plays by David Ives

David Ives’s “All in the Timing” is a collection of six one-act comedies that explore the complexities of human interaction and the power of language․ Each play offers a unique and often hilarious perspective on love, communication, and the absurd nature of life․

Introduction

“All in the Timing” is a collection of six one-act plays by David Ives, known for their witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and exploration of the intricacies of human interaction․ The plays, which premiered in 1993, have become popular in both professional and amateur theatre circles, captivating audiences with their blend of comedy, drama, and philosophical musings․ The collection has been praised for its originality, intelligence, and ability to make audiences laugh while also prompting them to think about the nature of language, time, and the human condition․

The plays in “All in the Timing” are characterized by their concise structure, allowing Ives to delve into complex themes and ideas within a relatively short timeframe․ The playwright’s mastery of language is evident in the sharp and often humorous dialogue, which is both engaging and thought-provoking․ Ives’s use of unconventional storytelling techniques, such as metafiction and time-bending scenarios, adds to the unique charm of the plays․

“All in the Timing” is a testament to the enduring power of theatre to entertain and provoke․ The plays continue to resonate with audiences today, offering a fresh and insightful perspective on the human experience․

Overview of the Plays

“All in the Timing” presents a diverse range of comedic scenarios, each with its own distinct style and theme․ The collection includes⁚

• “Sure Thing”⁚ A romantic comedy where two individuals repeatedly encounter each other in a cafe, their conversations reset every time they make a misstep, ultimately leading to a humorous exploration of communication and the pursuit of love․
• “Words, Words, Words”⁚ This play delves into the philosophical implications of language, showcasing three monkeys typing randomly on typewriters, their seemingly meaningless actions leading to unexpected results, raising questions about the nature of meaning and creation․
• “The Universal Language”⁚ A satirical look at the search for a universal language, where two characters attempt to communicate using a language that transcends cultural barriers, highlighting the challenges and absurdities of cross-cultural understanding․
• “English Made Simple”⁚ A play that satirizes the complexities of the English language, as two characters struggle to understand the seemingly simple rules of grammar, offering a humorous commentary on the intricacies of language and its potential for miscommunication․
• “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread”⁚ This play examines the mundane aspects of everyday life, showcasing the minimalist composer Philip Glass buying bread, juxtaposing the seemingly ordinary with the extraordinary, raising questions about the significance of the mundane and the nature of artistic expression․
• “Foreplay, or the Art of the Fugue”⁚ A play that explores the complexities of relationships and the art of seduction, using Bach’s “The Art of Fugue” as a backdrop for a series of encounters between two characters, highlighting the intricate dance between desire and communication․

Each play in the collection offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human nature, with its own distinct blend of humor, satire, and philosophical depth․

Sure Thing

“Sure Thing” is a delightful romantic comedy that explores the intricacies of communication and the unpredictable nature of love․ The play centers around two individuals, Bill and Betty, who meet in a cafe and embark on an awkward, hilarious, and ultimately heartwarming journey․ As they engage in conversation, their words and actions are repeatedly interrupted by an offstage bell, resetting their interactions to the beginning․ With each reset, they have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, overcome their initial awkwardness, and slowly connect on a deeper level․

The play uses the device of repeated resets to showcase the importance of timing, choice, and the fine line between success and failure in communication․ It highlights the challenges of navigating conversations, the importance of listening attentively, and the potential for growth and connection when individuals are willing to put in the effort․ “Sure Thing” is a charming and insightful exploration of the complexities of human interaction, leaving audiences with a sense of hope and the belief that with a little patience and effort, even the most awkward encounters can lead to something beautiful․

Words, Words, Words

In “Words, Words, Words,” Ives presents a thought-provoking exploration of language, communication, and the profound impact of words․ The play centers around three individuals, a man and two women, who are confined to a small room with nothing but a typewriter and a dictionary․ They engage in a series of philosophical discussions, exploring the limitations of language and the inherent ambiguity of meaning․ As they grapple with the complexities of expression, the play delves into the nature of reality, the power of ideas, and the search for meaning in a world filled with endless possibilities․

Ives cleverly uses the typewriter as a symbolic representation of the human mind, highlighting the limitations and potential of language as a tool for communication․ The play’s dialogue is dense and layered, filled with witty wordplay and philosophical insights that challenge conventional notions of meaning․ Through the characters’ intellectual sparring, Ives invites audiences to consider the profound impact of words, both in shaping our understanding of the world and in forging connections with others․ “Words, Words, Words” is a stimulating and engaging exploration of the power and limitations of language, leaving audiences with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and complexity of human communication․

The Universal Language

In “The Universal Language,” Ives takes a satirical look at the complexities of communication and the inherent barriers that exist between individuals, even when they speak the same language․ The play centers around a man and a woman who are trying to communicate with each other, but their efforts are constantly thwarted by misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and the inherent ambiguity of language․ The play is filled with witty wordplay and absurdist humor, highlighting the ways in which language can both connect and disconnect us․

Through a series of comical exchanges, Ives exposes the limitations of language, suggesting that true understanding may be elusive, even when we believe we are speaking the same language․ “The Universal Language” is a playful and insightful examination of the challenges of communication, reminding us that even in the most intimate relationships, there is always a gap between what we intend to say and what is actually heard․ The play’s humor derives from the characters’ persistent misunderstandings, highlighting the absurdity of human communication and the ongoing quest for connection in a world where words often fail us․

English Made Simple

In “English Made Simple,” Ives presents a humorous critique of language learning and the absurdity of simplifying complex concepts․ The play features a pair of characters, a teacher and a student, who are attempting to master the intricacies of the English language․ The teacher, armed with a simplified approach, tries to impart basic grammar and vocabulary, while the student struggles to grasp the nuances of the language․ The play’s humor stems from the clash between the teacher’s simplistic methods and the student’s increasingly confused attempts to understand․

Ives cleverly uses the play to poke fun at the limitations of simplification and the inherent complexity of language․ Through the teacher’s misguided attempts to make English “simple,” Ives highlights the inherent absurdity of reducing a complex system to a series of basic rules․ The student’s struggles to comprehend the nuances of English reveal the challenges of learning a language, especially when it is stripped of its richness and complexity․ “English Made Simple” ultimately serves as a reminder that true language mastery requires more than just memorizing rules and vocabulary․

Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread

In “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread,” Ives takes a playful and surreal approach to the everyday act of buying a loaf of bread․ The play features a minimalist dialogue and a repetitive structure, mirroring the repetitive nature of Glass’s music․ The scene unfolds in a grocery store, where a man, seemingly inspired by Glass’s music, attempts to purchase a loaf of bread, but his interaction with the cashier is anything but straightforward․

The man’s repetitive and seemingly nonsensical requests, coupled with the cashier’s increasingly exasperated responses, create a humorous and absurd situation․ Ives uses this absurdity to explore themes of communication, repetition, and the potential for meaning in the mundane․ The play’s minimalist dialogue and repetitive structure serve as a commentary on the limitations of language and the possibility of finding meaning in the most unexpected places․ “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread” is a whimsical and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of art, everyday life, and the human condition․

Foreplay, or the Art of the Fugue

“Foreplay, or the Art of the Fugue” is a witty and complex exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the power of music․ The play takes its name from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “The Art of Fugue,” a collection of intricate musical compositions that explore the possibilities of counterpoint and harmonic interplay․ Ives uses this musical framework as a metaphor for the intricate dance of human communication and the potential for both harmony and dissonance in relationships․

The play features two characters, a man and a woman, who are engaged in a series of conversations that are both playful and profound․ Their dialogue is punctuated by musical interludes, which serve as a commentary on their emotional state and the shifting dynamics of their relationship․ The play’s title is a pun, referencing both the musical form of the fugue and the sexual foreplay that often precedes a romantic encounter․ Ives uses this wordplay to suggest that the process of getting to know someone and building a relationship can be both playful and serious, both exciting and potentially dangerous․

Themes and Motifs

David Ives’s “All in the Timing” is a tapestry woven with recurring themes and motifs that explore the human condition with humor and insight․ A central theme is the power of language, both its ability to connect and its potential to create misunderstandings․ The plays often feature characters who struggle to communicate effectively, highlighting the gap between intended meaning and actual interpretation․ Ives’s works also delve into the complexities of human relationships, exploring the dynamics of love, friendship, and family․ The plays often feature couples navigating the intricacies of romance, highlighting the delicate balance between attraction, conflict, and compromise․

Another prominent motif is the concept of time and its impact on human experience․ The plays often feature characters who are obsessed with time or who find themselves trapped in cycles of repetition․ Ives uses this motif to explore the themes of fate, free will, and the fleeting nature of life․ The plays also feature a recurring motif of the absurd, highlighting the inherent silliness and unpredictability of the human experience․ Ives uses humor to expose the contradictions and absurdities of everyday life, prompting audiences to laugh at the absurdity of it all․

Critical Reception

David Ives’s “All in the Timing” has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its clever writing, sharp wit, and engaging performances․ Critics have praised Ives’s ability to craft witty dialogue and create characters that are both relatable and hilarious․ The plays have been lauded for their intellectual depth and their ability to entertain audiences while simultaneously provoking thought․ Reviewers have highlighted the plays’ unique blend of comedy and drama, noting that Ives’s works are both funny and moving․ The plays have been praised for their inventiveness and their ability to surprise audiences with unexpected twists and turns․ Many critics have hailed “All in the Timing” as a masterpiece of contemporary American theatre․

The plays have been praised for their accessibility, making them popular choices for both professional and amateur theatre companies․ “All in the Timing” has been produced around the world, solidifying its reputation as a timeless and enduring work of theatre․ The collection has been lauded for its ability to connect with audiences on a personal level, offering a universal perspective on the human condition․ Ives’s plays have resonated with critics and audiences alike, earning him a reputation as one of the most talented and inventive playwrights of his generation․

Availability and Performance

The scripts for David Ives’s “All in the Timing” are readily available for purchase through various online retailers and theatrical publishing houses․ The collection is a popular choice for both professional and amateur theatre companies, and the scripts can be easily accessed for performance rights and production licensing․ The plays have been produced extensively throughout the world, with numerous productions taking place in both large and small venues․ “All in the Timing” has been performed in universities, community theaters, and professional settings, showcasing the collection’s versatility and broad appeal․

The plays are often included in theatre programs and festivals, offering audiences the opportunity to experience Ives’s unique brand of comedy․ The scripts are also frequently used for educational purposes, providing students with valuable insights into the craft of playwriting and the intricacies of comedic timing․ The plays have been adapted for radio and television, further expanding their reach and popularity․ “All in the Timing” remains a vibrant and engaging collection of plays, readily available for audiences to enjoy through performances and script acquisition․