ABSTRACT
Scholars who desire to study Gurney further should begin, of course, by reading his plays. The Collected Plays, published by Smith and Kraus, comprise the authorized versions from Gurney ’s hand. These volumes, however, include neither his most recent works, O Jerusalem, and Big Bill, nor his librettos and novels. Inexpensive acting editions of individual plays may be obtained through the websites Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, and Broadway Publishing. These versions are useful because they contain designer’s plans for the sets, costume property lists, and some music. Given Gurney’s inventive use theatrical space and his experiments with dramatic forms and conventions, the acting versions of his plays merit special attention. They are important for understanding the plays in performance rather than as texts to be read. Gurney is represented by Mr. Peter Franklin of the William Morris Agency.
