Play
duologue
Drama
2 Characters

The Cricket Bat Analogy

from The Real Thing

Written by Tom Stoppard

Henry uses a cricket bat as a metaphor to explain the importance of craftsmanship and quality in writing to Annie. He critiques a poorly written political script, arguing that good art is objectively superior through its construction rather than its intent.

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HENRY: No, I'm serious.

ANNIE: You better not be.

HENRY: Right, you silly cow—

ANNIE: Don't you bloody dare—

HENRY: Shut up and listen. This thing here, which looks like a wooden club, is actually several pieces of particular wood cunningly put together in a certain way so that the whole thing is sp

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CharactersHenry, Annie
Duration00:02:00
Age Range40s
GenderMale
GenreDrama
PeriodContemporary
Formatduologue
SourceThe Real Thing
ToneIntellectual, passionate, slightly exasperated
AccentBritish
Suitable Fordrama school audition, agent showcase, self tape, general practice
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