TWO ROOMS

by Blessing, Lee

A provocative and compelling play from the author of A Walk in the Woods and Eleemosynary which breaches the subject of terrorism. The two rooms of the title refer to the windowless cell in Beirut where a hostage is held by Arab terrorists, and a room in his home, which his wife has stripped of its furniture so that she can, at least symbolically, share his ordeal. The room on stage serves for both, and is also the locale of imaginary conversations between the hostage and his wife and the real discussions she has with a reporter and a government official. The reporter, intent on building his own reputation, contrasts with the cool professionalism of the government official who tries to avoid involving herself on a personal level. As the months go by it becomes increasingly difficult to remain patient and when the official prevents the reporter from going to Beirut, the wife is goaded into speaking out against government policies in the media, triggering a tragic series of events which brings the play to its startling conclusion.