We are happy to invite you to our next playreading, which will be hosted by Claire Edwards:

Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley

Date and time: Monday, June 1, 18:30
Venue: St. Ursula’s Church, Jubiläumsplatz 2, 3005 Bern

Written in 1979 and premiering on stage in 1981, Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece Crimes of the Heart is a gripping drama about family, resilience, and the secrets that bind us together. Honest, touching and consistently hilarious, the play teems with humanity and humour.

The reading is open to members and non-members alike. If you plan to join, please contact us at playreading@upstage.ch to obtain the script, so you can bring it along in paper or digital form.

Synopsis: 

In the quiet Mississippi town of Hazlehurst, the three Magrath sisters gather to await news of their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at 30 and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast. The youngest, Babe, has just shot her husband and been arrested, setting off a chain reaction of memories, accusations, and reluctant forgiveness. As they gather in their childhood home, the sisters confront painful truths about their past: a traumatic childhood, lost dreams, failed relationships, and the weight of family expectations.

What begins as a crisis quickly unfolds into a wild, heart-wrenching, and often hilarious journey through their shared history. Betrayals are revealed, old wounds are ripped open, and unlikely moments of tenderness emerge. With razor-sharp dialogue and unforgettable characters, Crimes of the Heart balances suspense and humor in a story that asks: How far would you go to protect the people you love—even when they’ve done the unthinkable?

Cast: 6 actors (4 women, 2 men)

We look forward to seeing you there!