The Joy of Misery: Four One-Act Plays [Paperback]

Cartoonis a comedy about cartoons and the joy of misery. As Siegfried, the cartoonist, remarks; If you cut succulent slices off people, then everyone laughs. However, if the scalpel slips, then youre down to the bone. But then, of course, comedy is tragedy speeded up.

An Evening With The G.L.C.is a play about public morality versus political expediency, and it exposes the dire state of London. Labour Councillor Rennip, who is on the G.L.C., faces some very awkward questions from his son on the combative TV Current Affairs programme Confrontation.

Shakebagis a farcical comedy about an amateur companys chaotic rehearsal of Macbeth and A Midsummer Nights Dream on the Bards birthday while the amused ghost of Shakespeare looks down from on high at the antics of his thespian mechanicals.

Succubusis Lili, who may, or may not be, a Mesopotamian storm demon or the Moon Goddess Herself. Mark, the Born-Again Christian, confronts Lili with his burning secret, and the play explores female myths, male fears, paganism and Christianity.

David Pinner trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, after which he appeared on stage and television in many roles. While he was playing the lead inThe Mousetrapin the West End, he wrote his first novel,Ritual(later made into the filmThe Wicker Man). He has written two other novels:With My BodyandThere'll Always Be An England. His stage plays includeThe Teddy Bears Picnic, The Last Englishman, The Sins of the Mother, andLenin in Love.

Cartoon works superbly as a terse, racy and very funny comedy about divorcees, fractured affairs, bizarre accidents and general insanity. Evening Standard

An Evening With The G.L.C. is a passionate, searing play, in which David Pinner presents some disturbing, eye-opening facts about the politics in London. Time Out