SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

by Guare, John

Winner of the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Play and inspired by a true story, the play follows the trail of a young con man who infiltrates the lives of wealthy New Yorkers. Arriving at the home of Ouisa and Flan Kittredge and claiming to know their children at college, he tells them that he is the son of actor Sidney Portier, and that he has just been mugged and all his money taken. Captivated by Paul’s intelligence, charm, parentage and fascinating conversation, Ouisa and Flan invite him to stay overnight. What follows is both a shocking and hugely funny scene when Paul displays some disturbing characteristics and the Kittredge’s are forced to throw him out of their home. Ouisa and Flan soon discover that friends of theirs have had similar experiences with this brash con artist, and as the play unfolds, his deception is fully exposed. We soon become horrified by Paul’s brutal behaviour and the ensuing tragedy, but during the play’s final moments Ouisa suddenly finds herself caring for Paul, feeling that he gave them far more than he took, and that her once idyllic life was not what it seemed to be. A funny and thought provoking play.