Ward Six

Full-Lengths

By: Arthur Reel
Cast: 4 M, 1 F, 3 flexible, opt. extras
Performance Time: Approximately 90 minutes, 87 pgs.

DRAMA. This adaptation of one of Anton Chekhov’s most influential short stories, “Ward Six,” (1892) depicts the horrors of a Russian mental ward. An idealistic new doctor accepts a post at a hospital in a small town, where he hopes to dedicate himself to helping mental patients. But after witnessing patients being mercilessly beaten, Dr. Rabin seeks the help of the hospital administrator, but his requests are ignored. Disillusioned, Rabin befriends a patient, Ivan Gromov, but their discussions eventually lead Rabin to see the world anew, blurring the lines between sanity and insanity, reality and illusion.

Freeviews: To read play excerpts click here.

About the Story: To read more about the story click here.

Arthur Reel founded the Drama Repertory Theatre in 1973 and has co-produced more than 200 shows, many of which he directed. Mr. Reel has adapted for the stage many prose classics, including Voltaire’s Candide and works by Gogol, Gorky, and Chekhov. He currently resides in New York City, where he teaches acting, voice, and communications.