Nov 14, 2009

Inadmissible Evidence | Introduction

The first performance of Inadmissible Evidence at the Royal Court Theatre in London on September 9, 1964, by the English Stage Company, was a resounding critical and popular success. It also reinforced John Osborne’s status as England’s most important post–World War II dramatist. The play chronicles the mental disintegration of middle-aged, London solicitor Bill Maitland over the course of two days as he experiences the breakdown of his professional and personal life. Osborne combines elements of realism and theater of the absurd as he illustrates Bill’s nightmarish world that ironically Bill has constructed himself. It results from his inability to face up to his own failures as well as to the pain he has caused those who have tried to save him. In this poignant study of one man’s struggle to avoid harsh truths about himself and his relationships with those closest to him, Osborne presents a compelling portrait of the devastating causes for spiritual and emotional bankruptcy.

Inadmissible Evidence Summary

Act 1
Inadmissible Evidence opens with a dream sequence in a solicitor’s office, involving the main character, Bill Maitland, and his trial for “having unlawfully and wickedly published . . . a wicked, bawdy and scandalous object. . . . Intending to vitiate and corrupt the morals of the liege subjects of our Lady the Queen.” The object is Bill Maitland himself. Bill pleads not guilty and insists that since he is a lawyer, he will defend himself. He tries to begin his defense, but random thoughts keep breaking in, and he ultimately admits, “I’m incapable of making decisions.” The session is interrupted by Bill searching for his tranquilizers, noting that he has a headache brought on by too much drinking the night before.

Bill then begins a brief summary of his personal history, ending with his admission that he is “irredeemably mediocre.” After losing his train of thought, he thinks he sees his ex-wife, his father, and daughter, all there in the room. He then offers a character analysis of himself, ending with his assertion that he has never wanted anything more than good friendship and the love of women but has failed at both. The light then fades, and the judge becomes Hudson, Bill’s managing clerk, and the court clerk becomes Jones, Bill’s clerk as Bill emerges from the dream into reality.

In the next scene in Bill’s law office, Hudson and Jones chat about the latter’s upcoming marriage as Bill arrives. Bill criticizes Shirley, his secretary, for not wearing any makeup and makes lewd comments to her about her fiancé, which she throws right back at him. Jones announces that Shirley is going to quit her job because “she’s fed up with the place” and especially with Bill, who insists, “I haven’t touched that girl for months.”

Bill then begins another series of lewd comments directed toward Jones, concerning his fiancée and Shirley, which embarrasses the clerk. Later, he criticizes Shirley’s fiancé and Jones, insisting that they are too cautious and boring. Another secretary, Joy, brings Bill a glass of water after Shirley ignores his request, and he flirts with her as Hudson tries to focus Bill’s attention on a client’s divorce case. Bill admits that something seems a bit odd this morning: he was not able to get a taxi and now he cannot concentrate on his cases.

Bill complains of his headache, brought on by too much drinking the previous night, and searches for his pills. He tells Hudson that he needs to get out of a weekend planned by his wife, Anna, to celebrate their daughter’s birthday so that he can spend the time instead with Liz, his current mistress. Bill believes that Anna planned the weekend because she discovered his arrangement with Liz.

As he discusses with Hudson the juggling he must accomplish with his wife and mistress, he wonders whether his sexual escapades are worth the trouble and admits that he has never found anything that gives him a sense of meaning. Hudson tells him that the key is to not expect too much out of life. The two talk about Mrs. Garnsey’s divorce case, Bill’s recent inability to remember anything, and his marital situation until they are interrupted by a phone call from Anna. Bill tries to get out of the weekend, but the situation is left unresolved.

Later, Shirley tells Bill... » Complete Inadmissible Evidence Summary