Picnic By William Inge

The Life of William Inge May 3, June William Inge, born May 3, 1913 in Independence, Kansas. In 1935 Inge graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Drama. Later Inge was offered a scholarship at The George Peabody College for Teachers to study a Master of the Arts degree. However Inge dropped out and it wasn’t until after returning to Kansas to teach English and Drama for a year that he decided to return to complete his MA in Nashville, Tennessee. He was an American playwright whose play, Picnic earned him a Pulitzer Prize. (An American award established in 1917 to commend achievements in musical composition, literature, online journalism and work in newspaper). Inge committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on June 10, 1973 at the age of 60. Influenced by the short play ‘Front Porch’ in First premiered on Broadway, in February Strong exploration of small town life. May 3, June William Inge, born May 3, 1913 in Independence, Kansas. In 1935 Inge graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Drama. Later Inge was offered a scholarship at The George Peabody College for Teachers to study a Master of the Arts degree. However Inge dropped out and it wasn’t until after returning to Kansas to teach English and Drama for a year that he decided to return to complete his MA in Nashville, Tennessee. He was an American playwright whose play, Picnic earned him a Pulitzer Prize. (An American award established in 1917 to commend achievements in musical composition, literature, online journalism and work in newspaper). Inge committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on June 10, 1973 at the age of 60. Influenced by the short play ‘Front Porch’ in First premiered on Broadway, in February Strong exploration of small town life.

Characters Flo Owens Madge Owens Millie Owens Mrs Potts Hal Carter Rosemary Sydney Alan Seymour Howard Bevans

Plot Summary Labour day, the neighborhood is preparing for a picnic Based around a grouping of women in the yard of a typical small midwestern town during the 1950’s Mrs Owens has two daughters Madge and Millie, Madge being the prettier one. Hal ( a Bum) comes off the street to work for Mrs Owen neighbour, Mrs potts Meanwhile he falls for Madge, even though she is currently going steady with his friend Alan Eventually he tells her his feelings and persuades her to make love to him. Therefore missing the picnic After not attending the picnic everyone knows where she was, and blames Hal for leading her astray Therefore Hal is banished by Alan, Hal ask Madge to join him she refuses After Hal leaves Madge breaks down declaring her love for him to her mother and runs off to be with him Labour day, the neighborhood is preparing for a picnic Based around a grouping of women in the yard of a typical small midwestern town during the 1950’s Mrs Owens has two daughters Madge and Millie, Madge being the prettier one. Hal ( a Bum) comes off the street to work for Mrs Owen neighbour, Mrs potts Meanwhile he falls for Madge, even though she is currently going steady with his friend Alan Eventually he tells her his feelings and persuades her to make love to him. Therefore missing the picnic After not attending the picnic everyone knows where she was, and blames Hal for leading her astray Therefore Hal is banished by Alan, Hal ask Madge to join him she refuses After Hal leaves Madge breaks down declaring her love for him to her mother and runs off to be with him

Themes Loneliness Gender roles Beauty Youth Loneliness Gender roles Beauty Youth

Genre Tragedy Comedy Tragicomedy Tragedy Comedy Tragicomedy

1950s Economic growth Anti-communism Socially conservative Consumerism Civil rights Sex Economic growth Anti-communism Socially conservative Consumerism Civil rights Sex

Stoneham Theatre Production 2009

Film Adaptation Joshua Logan directed the 1955 film adaptation of Picnic. Which stars included William Holden, Kim Novak and Betty Field. The film won 2 Oscars and another two awards; a Golden Globe in 1956 and an NBR award in 1955 and a Golden Globe in Joshua Logan ’ s film also received 10 further nominations. Original Trailer