Balm in Gilead and other plays

L. Wilson

Balm in Gilead centers on a cafe frequented by heroin addicts, prostitutes (both male and female) and thieves. It features many unconventional theatrical devices, such as overlapping dialogue, simultaneous scenes and largely unsympathetic lead characters. The plot draws a parallel between the amoral, often criminal activity that the café's denizens engage in to provide temporary relief from their boredom and suffering, and the two main characters' becoming a couple in order to escape from their lives. The play takes its title from a quote in the Old Testament. Ludlow Fair is the story of two roommates Agnes and Rachel. Rachel is a neurotic girl who is pretty much a dating maniac and Agnes is a wise-cracking woman who doesn't have much luck with men. Home free! is about Lawrence (and, to a lesser degree, Joanna) characterized by extreme agoraphobia and fear of the outside world. It is implied, but never explicitly stated, that Lawrence and Joanna are brother and sister, it is also implied that they are having an incestuous relationship, which is the reason for Joanna's pregnancy.