Wednesday to Come

Wednesday to Come is the first play in a trilogy by New Zealand playwright Renée. The second play in the trilogy is Pass It On, and the third is Jeannie Once. The play follows the women of a family during the Depression in New Zealand. Background The first performance took place at Downstage Theatre in Wellington on 17 August 1984, directed by George Webby. Characters Granna – in her late seventies Mary – fifty-five Iris – thirty-four Cliff – fifteen Jeannie – thirteen Ted – thirty-six Molly – twenty-eight Dot – thirty-five Synopsis The play is set in early spring of 1934. It takes place in Mary's family house, halfway between Palmerston North and Wellington. Domestic tasks such as ironing, washing, dishwashing and cooking take place during the play. Granna, Iris, Mary, Jeannie and Cliff are in the kitchen, waiting for Ted to come home. He arrives with a coffin, and it becomes apparent that Ben has killed himself while working at a labour camp in the Great Depression.