Ghosts of the Gilded Stage

Repertoire 25–26 · Solo drama

Ghosts of the Gilded Stage

The peculiar grace of learning how to leave the stage.

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Cast1 performer
Running time50 minutes
StagingMinimal
GenreSolo drama
RightsUpstage Left Press
Synopsis

Facing the end of his life, veteran actor Alban Matthews sorts through a trunk of costumes, props, reviews, and ghosts from a lifetime in the theatre. Each object opens another room of memory, from first roles and old superstitions to artistic wounds, queer survival, failure, triumph, and the peculiar grace of learning how to leave the stage.

Published in When Churchyards Yawn and Other Plays — Second Edition, Upstage Left Press, 2026

Staging & Technical

A single stage space: ghostlight, faded theatrical trunk, Victorian parlor chair, small side table, clothes rack, donation box, rubbish bin, skeleton key, and assorted small costume and prop pieces. Lighting and limited music or sound support memory shifts.

Licensing & Formats
Full production licenceUniversities · community theatres · independent producersRequest
Staged reading / festivalPopularFestivals · workshops · development seriesRequest
Classroom & excerpt useScene packets · monologues · study guidesEducators
Perusal / review copyDirectors and literary managersRequest
Characters

The company behind Ghosts of the Gilded Stage

Alban MatthewsA veteran actor, no longer young, with theatre in his bones and approximately six months to live.