Description

A Respectable Funeral is one of the the first one-act plays from the sensitive and humorous pen of Jimmie Chin. It was presented and performed as a double bill – with one of Mr Chinn’s other plays, From Here to the Library — under the title of Back to Back in Oldham. Boys plays can be performed separately or as an entertaining double bill.

Evadne, Joyce and Greta, three middle-aged sisters, are gathered at the house of their deceased mother, following the funeral. Surprisingly, Charlie, their brother, who had looked after their mother after she was widowed, has failed to turn up. As the sisters talk and gossip, it becomes apparent that their late mother was no saint, being neither a faithful wife nor a loving parent. All the women have plans for the money that they will inherit when their mother’s house will be sold; but then suddenly, Charlie arrives — with a request that will put pay to all their dreams…

This sharp and often very funny play gives us an intimate glimpse of four lives, family relationships and the effect of one woman’s’ selfishness.