The Fairy Garden

Synopsis:

Dagny married her husband, Boris, for money and now regrets it She has invited a gay couple, Roman and Mimi, around for drinks and tells them of a new love in her life. Though she is coy about saying what he does for a living, just saying that he is The Mechanic. So they think he works in a garage when in fact he is a male stripper and that is his stage name. Dagny complains about her husband and then goes indoors where her husband is. Whilst she is away Mimi and Roman end their own relationship. Dagny decapitates husband Boris. Then a real life genuine fairy turns up – re-unites Boris’ body with his head and runs off with him. Mimi tells Dagny he loves her. Roman is left alone in the garden when the Mechanic turns up.

Production History:

The Fairy Garden was first performed in New York as part of “Plays by Harry Kondoleon,” at John Jay College in June of 1982, produced by Double Image Theatre  (Helen Waren Mayer, artistic director; Leslie Urdang, managing director; Grace Jones, administrative director). Costumes designed by Nan Cibula. Lighting Designed by Robert Jared. The director was Max Mayer. The cast was:
Dagny: Janet Kirby
Roman: Robertson Dean
Mimi: David Marshall Grant
The Fairy: Lizzie Miller
Boris: Drew Eliot
The Mechanic: Ken Olin

The play was subsequently presented on a double bill with Linda Her by the Second Stage (in association with Tony Kiser), in New York City, in June 1984. It was directed by Carole Rothman; the set design was by Andrew Jackness; the lighting design was by Frances Aronson; the costume design was by Mimi Maxman; the sound design was by Gary Harris; and the production stage manager was Robin Rumpf. The cast was:

Dagny: Ann Lange
Roman: John Glover
Mimi: Mark Soper
The Fairy: Carol Kane
Boris: Robert Weil
The Mechanic: Rick J. Porter

Reviews:

New York Times, June 20, 1984
New York Newsday, June 20, 1984
New York Post, June 20, 1984
Village Voice, June 26, 1984
New York Daily News, June 26, 1984
New York Native, July 30, 1984

Published:

Linda Her and The Fairy Garden: Two Short Plays, Dramatists Play Service, 1985.

The Fairy Garden was published in Out Front: Contemporary Gay and Lesbian Plays, edited by Don Shewey (Grove Press, 1988).

Production Photos: