Morgan Lloyd Malcolm – författare

Clean Break is a British theatre company set up in 1979 by two women in prison. It exists to tell the stories of women with experience of the criminal justice system and to transform women’s lives through theatre.Over 40 years, Clean Break has commissioned some of the most progressive and brilliant women writers to write ground-breaking plays, alongside developing the writing skills of the women they work with in its London studios and in prisons. This is a collection of monologues from this canon.Rebel Voices: Monologues for Women by Women celebrates the opportunities inherent when women represent themselves. Offering female performers a diverse set of monologues reflecting a range of characters in age, ethnicity and lived experience, the material is drawn from a mix of published and unpublished works. This book is for any performer who does not see themselves represented in mainstream plays, for lovers of radical women’s theatre and for rebels everywhere who believe that the act of speaking and being heard can create change.

Theatre has a complex history of responding to crises, long before they happen. Through stage plays, contemporary challenges can be presented, explored and even foreshadowed in ways that help audiences understand the world around them. Since the theatre of the Greeks, audiences have turned to live theatre in order to find answers in uncertain political, social and economic times, and through this unique collection questions about This anthology brings together a collection of 20 scenes from 20 playwrights that each respond to the world in crisis. Twenty of the world’s most prolific playwrights were asked to select one scene from across their published work that speaks to the current world situation in 2020. As COVID-19 continues to challenge every aspect of global life, contemporary theatre has long predicted a world on the edge. Through these 20 scenes from plays spanning from 1980 to 2020, we see how theatre and art has the capacity to respond, comment on and grapple with global challenges that in turn speak to the current time in which we are living. Each scene, chosen by the writer, is prefaced by an interview in which they discuss their process, their reason for selection and how their work reflects both the past and the present. From the political plays of Lucy Prebble and James Graham to the polemics of Philip Ridley and Tim Crouch. From bold works by Inua Ellams, Morgan Lloyd Malcom and Tanika Gupta to the social relevance of Hannah Khalil, Zoe Cooper and Simon Stephens this anthology looks at theatre in the present and asks the question: “how can theatre respond to a world in crisis?” The collection is prefaced by an introduction from Edward Bond, one of contemporary theatre’s most prolific dramatists.

Theatre has a complex history of responding to crises, long before they happen. Through stage plays, contemporary challenges can be presented, explored and even foreshadowed in ways that help audiences understand the world around them. Since the theatre of the Greeks, audiences have turned to live theatre in order to find answers in uncertain political, social and economic times, and through this unique collection questions about This anthology brings together a collection of 20 scenes from 20 playwrights that each respond to the world in crisis. Twenty of the world''s most prolific playwrights were asked to select one scene from across their published work that speaks to the current world situation in 2020. As COVID-19 continues to challenge every aspect of global life, contemporary theatre has long predicted a world on the edge. Through these 20 scenes from plays spanning from 1980 to 2020, we see how theatre and art has the capacity to respond, comment on and grapple with global challenges that in turn speak to the current time in which we are living. Each scene, chosen by the writer, is prefaced by an interview in which they discuss their process, their reason for selection and how their work reflects both the past and the present. From the political plays of Lucy Prebble and James Graham to the polemics of Philip Ridley and Tim Crouch. From bold works by Inua Ellams, Morgan Lloyd Malcom and Tanika Gupta to the social relevance of Hannah Khalil, Zoe Cooper and Simon Stephens this anthology looks at theatre in the present and asks the question: “how can theatre respond to a world in crisis?” The collection is prefaced by an introduction from Edward Bond, one of contemporary theatre''s most prolific dramatists.

Theatre has a complex history of responding to crises, long before they happen. Through stage plays, contemporary challenges can be presented, explored and even foreshadowed in ways that help audiences understand the world around them. Since the theatre of the Greeks, audiences have turned to live theatre in order to find answers in uncertain political, social and economic times, and through this unique collection questions about This anthology brings together a collection of 20 scenes from 20 playwrights that each respond to the world in crisis. Twenty of the world''s most prolific playwrights were asked to select one scene from across their published work that speaks to the current world situation in 2020. As COVID-19 continues to challenge every aspect of global life, contemporary theatre has long predicted a world on the edge. Through these 20 scenes from plays spanning from 1980 to 2020, we see how theatre and art has the capacity to respond, comment on and grapple with global challenges that in turn speak to the current time in which we are living. Each scene, chosen by the writer, is prefaced by an interview in which they discuss their process, their reason for selection and how their work reflects both the past and the present. From the political plays of Lucy Prebble and James Graham to the polemics of Philip Ridley and Tim Crouch. From bold works by Inua Ellams, Morgan Lloyd Malcom and Tanika Gupta to the social relevance of Hannah Khalil, Zoe Cooper and Simon Stephens this anthology looks at theatre in the present and asks the question: “how can theatre respond to a world in crisis?” The collection is prefaced by an introduction from Edward Bond, one of contemporary theatre''s most prolific dramatists.

‘A spicy work of biographical conjecture ... It's also a rousing reminder of the countless creative women who have been written out of history or have had to fight relentlessly to make themselves heard.’ EVENING STANDARD‘The great virtue of Lloyd Malcolm’s speculative history lies in its passion and anger: it ends with a blazing address to the audience that is virtually a call to arms. It is throughout, however, a highly theatrical piece ... In rescuing Emilia from the shades, [the play] gives her dramatic life and polemical potency.’ GUARDIANThe little we know of Emilia Bassano Lanier (1569 - 1645) is that she may have been the Dark Lady of Shakespeare's Sonnets, mistress of Lord Chamberlain, one of the first English female poets to be published, a mother, teacher who founded a school for women, and radical feminist with North African ancestry.Living at a time when women had such limited opportunities, Emilia Lanier is therefore a fascinating subject for this speculative history. In telling her story, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm represents the stories of women everywhere whose narratives have been written out of history.Originally commissioned for Shakespeare's Globe with an all-female cast, Emilia is published here as a Methuen Drama Student Edition with commentary and notes by Elizabeth Schafer, Professor of Drama at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.

''A spicy work of biographical conjecture ... It''s also a rousing reminder of the countless creative women who have been written out of history or have had to fight relentlessly to make themselves heard.'' EVENING STANDARD''The great virtue of Lloyd Malcolm''s speculative history lies in its passion and anger: it ends with a blazing address to the audience that is virtually a call to arms. It is throughout, however, a highly theatrical piece ... In rescuing Emilia from the shades, [the play] gives her dramatic life and polemical potency.'' GUARDIANThe little we know of Emilia Bassano Lanier (1569 - 1645) is that she may have been the Dark Lady of Shakespeare''s Sonnets, mistress of Lord Chamberlain, one of the first English female poets to be published, a mother, teacher who founded a school for women, and radical feminist with North African ancestry. Living at a time when women had such limited opportunities, Emilia Lanier is therefore a fascinating subject for this speculative history. In telling her story, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm represents the stories of women everywhere whose narratives have been written out of history. Originally commissioned for Shakespeare''s Globe with an all-female cast, Emilia is published here as a Methuen Drama Student Edition with commentary and notes by Elizabeth Schafer, Professor of Drama at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.

''A spicy work of biographical conjecture ... It''s also a rousing reminder of the countless creative women who have been written out of history or have had to fight relentlessly to make themselves heard.'' EVENING STANDARD''The great virtue of Lloyd Malcolm''s speculative history lies in its passion and anger: it ends with a blazing address to the audience that is virtually a call to arms. It is throughout, however, a highly theatrical piece ... In rescuing Emilia from the shades, [the play] gives her dramatic life and polemical potency.'' GUARDIANThe little we know of Emilia Bassano Lanier (1569 - 1645) is that she may have been the Dark Lady of Shakespeare''s Sonnets, mistress of Lord Chamberlain, one of the first English female poets to be published, a mother, teacher who founded a school for women, and radical feminist with North African ancestry. Living at a time when women had such limited opportunities, Emilia Lanier is therefore a fascinating subject for this speculative history. In telling her story, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm represents the stories of women everywhere whose narratives have been written out of history. Originally commissioned for Shakespeare''s Globe with an all-female cast, Emilia is published here as a Methuen Drama Student Edition with commentary and notes by Elizabeth Schafer, Professor of Drama at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.

Motherhood. No one can prepare you for it. No matter how much you tell yourself you can do it – can you? Where’s the rush of love? When will sleep again?What if the thing you fear most is also the thing you crave? All you wanted was one night of unbroken sleep, what have you done? Mum is a feverish journey through every parent’s worst nightmare.A raw and real exploration of early motherhood from the award-winning writer of Emilia, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Soho Theatre, London.

Motherhood. No one can prepare you for it. No matter how much you tell yourself you can do it – can you? Where''s the rush of love? When will sleep again?What if the thing you fear most is also the thing you crave? All you wanted was one night of unbroken sleep, what have you done? Mum is a feverish journey through every parent''s worst nightmare.A raw and real exploration of early motherhood from the award-winning writer of Emilia, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Soho Theatre, London.

Motherhood. No one can prepare you for it. No matter how much you tell yourself you can do it – can you? Where''s the rush of love? When will sleep again?What if the thing you fear most is also the thing you crave? All you wanted was one night of unbroken sleep, what have you done? Mum is a feverish journey through every parent''s worst nightmare.A raw and real exploration of early motherhood from the award-winning writer of Emilia, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Soho Theatre, London.

Winner of the Noel Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy at the 2020 Olivier AwardsIn 1611 Emilia Bassano wrote a volume of radical, feminist and subversive poetry. It was one of the first published collections of poetry written by a woman in England. The little we know of Emilia Bassano is restricted to the possibility that she may have been the ‘Dark Lady’ of Shakespeare’s Sonnets – and the rest of HerStory has been erased by History.Morgan has taken what we know of Bassano, and her poetry, to create this lively, witty play.

In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?Written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia), Typical Girls is a funny, fierce and furious part-gig, part-play, co-commissioned by Clean Break theatre company.

In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?Written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia), Typical Girls is a funny, fierce and furious part-gig, part-play, co-commissioned by Clean Break theatre company.

In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed?Written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia), Typical Girls is a funny, fierce and furious part-gig, part-play, co-commissioned by Clean Break theatre company.

I’m doing this for her because this was my sister’s dream. This isn’t my natural habitat. I wouldn’t normally choose this. But she would have.Two sisters. One dream. The hardest open-water swim in the world.This triumphant play from Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm moves forwards and backwards in time across the 21 miles between Dover and Calais as a young swimmer harnesses her mind and body to make the crossing. Tackling what it means to grieve, both physically and mentally, When The Long Trick’s Over encapsulates the fact that love persists whatever the distance and however perilous the journey is to the other side. And that, sometimes, it means swimming against the tide and against the things that hold you back: the old memories and oil tankers, jellyfish and Jelly Babies.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere production by HighTide and the New Wolsey Theatre, February 2022.

I''m doing this for her because this was my sister''s dream. This isn''t my natural habitat. I wouldn''t normally choose this. But she would have.Two sisters. One dream. The hardest open-water swim in the world.This triumphant play from Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm moves forwards and backwards in time across the 21 miles between Dover and Calais as a young swimmer harnesses her mind and body to make the crossing. Tackling what it means to grieve, both physically and mentally, When The Long Trick''s Over encapsulates the fact that love persists whatever the distance and however perilous the journey is to the other side. And that, sometimes, it means swimming against the tide and against the things that hold you back: the old memories and oil tankers, jellyfish and Jelly Babies.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere production by HighTide and the New Wolsey Theatre, February 2022.

I''m doing this for her because this was my sister''s dream. This isn''t my natural habitat. I wouldn''t normally choose this. But she would have.Two sisters. One dream. The hardest open-water swim in the world.This triumphant play from Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm moves forwards and backwards in time across the 21 miles between Dover and Calais as a young swimmer harnesses her mind and body to make the crossing. Tackling what it means to grieve, both physically and mentally, When The Long Trick''s Over encapsulates the fact that love persists whatever the distance and however perilous the journey is to the other side. And that, sometimes, it means swimming against the tide and against the things that hold you back: the old memories and oil tankers, jellyfish and Jelly Babies.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere production by HighTide and the New Wolsey Theatre, February 2022.

In her first collection of plays, Olivier award-winning playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's talent for writing complex female characters is on dazzling display. Belongings (2011): "Malcolm’s writing is sharp and witty but also very powerful in places. Her use of humour can be shocking but it helps to balance out the weighty issues being explored: guilt, gender and family politics, sex as both a commodity and a weapon. Touching, funny and brutal, this is – on many levels – an impressive first work." - ExeuntThe Wasp (2015): "Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s two-hander is sprung like a bear trap, a play with very sharp teeth." - The StageMum (2021): "Lloyd Malcolm, who resurrected a 17th-century feminist poet for her riotous 2018 hit Emilia, here spills the dark side of modern maternity: exhausted anxiety, love-hate co-dependency, what happens when your very worst fears come true." - Evening StandardWhen The Long Trick's Over (2022): "Grief can feel like drowning. And in Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s play about a swimmer with the challenge to cross the Channel, it is voluminous." - GuardianThe Passenger (2021): Originally commissioned and produced by Shakespeare's Globe, this piece recounts the experience of the author's childhood terrors. A shadowy figure who follows. Has it followed us here? How will she escape him? The Passenger was staged as a part of the first Terrifying Women showcase at the Golden Goose Theatre, London, in October 2021.Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's play Emilia became a hit show in summer 2018 before transferring to the West End in 2019, winning three Olivier awards. Her adaptation of her play The Wasp completed filming at the end of 2022 starring Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer and directed by Guillem Morales. Her play Belongings was shortlisted for the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award. She formed Terrifying Women with Abi Zakarian, Sampira and Amanda Castro in 2021 with an aim to producing more horror in theatre.

In her first collection of plays, Olivier award-winning playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s talent for writing complex female characters is on dazzling display. Belongings (2011): "Malcolm''s writing is sharp and witty but also very powerful in places. Her use of humour can be shocking but it helps to balance out the weighty issues being explored: guilt, gender and family politics, sex as both a commodity and a weapon. Touching, funny and brutal, this is – on many levels – an impressive first work." - ExeuntThe Wasp (2015): "Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s two-hander is sprung like a bear trap, a play with very sharp teeth." - The StageMum (2021): "Lloyd Malcolm, who resurrected a 17th-century feminist poet for her riotous 2018 hit Emilia, here spills the dark side of modern maternity: exhausted anxiety, love-hate co-dependency, what happens when your very worst fears come true." - Evening StandardWhen The Long Trick''s Over (2022): "Grief can feel like drowning. And in Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s play about a swimmer with the challenge to cross the Channel, it is voluminous." - GuardianThe Passenger (2021): Originally commissioned and produced by Shakespeare''s Globe, this piece recounts the experience of the author''s childhood terrors. A shadowy figure who follows. Has it followed us here? How will she escape him? The Passenger was staged as a part of the first Terrifying Women showcase at the Golden Goose Theatre, London, in October 2021.Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s play Emilia became a hit show in summer 2018 before transferring to the West End in 2019, winning three Olivier awards. Her adaptation of her play The Wasp completed filming at the end of 2022 starring Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer and directed by Guillem Morales. Her play Belongings was shortlisted for the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award. She formed Terrifying Women with Abi Zakarian, Sampira and Amanda Castro in 2021 with an aim to producing more horror in theatre.

In her first collection of plays, Olivier award-winning playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s talent for writing complex female characters is on dazzling display. Belongings (2011): "Malcolm''s writing is sharp and witty but also very powerful in places. Her use of humour can be shocking but it helps to balance out the weighty issues being explored: guilt, gender and family politics, sex as both a commodity and a weapon. Touching, funny and brutal, this is – on many levels – an impressive first work." - ExeuntThe Wasp (2015): "Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s two-hander is sprung like a bear trap, a play with very sharp teeth." - The StageMum (2021): "Lloyd Malcolm, who resurrected a 17th-century feminist poet for her riotous 2018 hit Emilia, here spills the dark side of modern maternity: exhausted anxiety, love-hate co-dependency, what happens when your very worst fears come true." - Evening StandardWhen The Long Trick''s Over (2022): "Grief can feel like drowning. And in Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s play about a swimmer with the challenge to cross the Channel, it is voluminous." - GuardianThe Passenger (2021): Originally commissioned and produced by Shakespeare''s Globe, this piece recounts the experience of the author''s childhood terrors. A shadowy figure who follows. Has it followed us here? How will she escape him? The Passenger was staged as a part of the first Terrifying Women showcase at the Golden Goose Theatre, London, in October 2021.Morgan Lloyd Malcolm''s play Emilia became a hit show in summer 2018 before transferring to the West End in 2019, winning three Olivier awards. Her adaptation of her play The Wasp completed filming at the end of 2022 starring Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer and directed by Guillem Morales. Her play Belongings was shortlisted for the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award. She formed Terrifying Women with Abi Zakarian, Sampira and Amanda Castro in 2021 with an aim to producing more horror in theatre.

Beware the teller as much as the tale.Awakened by the unimaginable horrors she's witnessed, Mina Harker demands your attention. You'd be wise to listen close. The only survivor of the tragic events chronicled in the famous letters, Mina is here to recount her version of Dracula's journey from Transylvania to London. Alongside trusted allies, and in memory of her beloved friend Lucy, they scramble to piece together the truth of his monstrous desires. But is their performance merely a warning – or does it have the power to conjure the dead?In this major new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s horror classic, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) uncovers the female voices at the heart of the tale.This edition was published to coincide with the Lyric Hammersmith production in September 2025.

Beware the teller as much as the tale.Awakened by the unimaginable horrors she's witnessed, Mina Harker demands your attention. You'd be wise to listen close. The only survivor of the tragic events chronicled in the famous letters, Mina is here to recount her version of Dracula's journey from Transylvania to London. Alongside trusted allies, and in memory of her beloved friend Lucy, they scramble to piece together the truth of his monstrous desires. But is their performance merely a warning or does it have the power to conjure the dead?In this major new adaptation of Bram Stoker's horror classic, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) uncovers the female voices at the heart of the tale.This edition was published to coincide with the Lyric Hammersmith production in September 2025.

Beware the teller as much as the tale.Awakened by the unimaginable horrors she's witnessed, Mina Harker demands your attention. You'd be wise to listen close. The only survivor of the tragic events chronicled in the famous letters, Mina is here to recount her version of Dracula's journey from Transylvania to London. Alongside trusted allies, and in memory of her beloved friend Lucy, they scramble to piece together the truth of his monstrous desires. But is their performance merely a warning or does it have the power to conjure the dead?In this major new adaptation of Bram Stoker's horror classic, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) uncovers the female voices at the heart of the tale.This edition was published to coincide with the Lyric Hammersmith production in September 2025.

A twisting two-hander and psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Belongings. Heather and Carla haven’t seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths – Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a café having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition…Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s electric new thriller asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go to in order to come to terms with them.

Two words twenty years after doesn't quite feel enough though does it?Heather and Carla haven’t seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths – Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a café having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition…A twisting two-hander, this electric thriller from Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences – and to what lengths some people are willing to go in order to come to terms with them.The Wasp was first staged at Hampstead Downstairs, Hampstead Theatre, London, in January 2015, transferring to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End in December 2015. This edition was published to coincide with the revival at Southwark Playhouse in May 2026, as presented by Greenwich Theatre Productions in association with CultureClash Theatre.

Two words twenty years after doesn't quite feel enough though does it?Heather and Carla haven't seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a caf having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition A twisting two-hander, this electric thriller from Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go in order to come to terms with them.The Wasp was first staged at Hampstead Downstairs, Hampstead Theatre, London, in January 2015, transferring to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End in December 2015. This edition was published to coincide with the revival at Southwark Playhouse in May 2026, as presented by Greenwich Theatre Productions in association with CultureClash Theatre.

Two words twenty years after doesn't quite feel enough though does it?Heather and Carla haven't seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a caf having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition A twisting two-hander, this electric thriller from Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go in order to come to terms with them.The Wasp was first staged at Hampstead Downstairs, Hampstead Theatre, London, in January 2015, transferring to the Trafalgar Studios in the West End in December 2015. This edition was published to coincide with the revival at Southwark Playhouse in May 2026, as presented by Greenwich Theatre Productions in association with CultureClash Theatre.

A twisting two-hander, a psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Belongings. Heather and Carla haven't seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths – Carla lives a hand-to-mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a café having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition…Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's electric new thriller asks how far beyond the playground we carry our childhood experiences and to what lengths some people are willing to go to in order to come to terms with them.

Winner of the Noel Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy at the 2020 Olivier AwardsIn 1611 Emilia Bassano wrote a volume of radical, feminist and subversive poetry. It was one of the first published collections of poetry written by a woman in England. The little we know of Emilia Bassano is restricted to the possibility that she may have been the ''Dark Lady'' of Shakespeare''s Sonnets – and the rest of HerStory has been erased by History.Morgan has taken what we know of Bassano, and her poetry, to create this lively, witty play.