Pvt. Wars

by James McLure

Three G.I.s recovering from Vietnam War injuries while away their time on the terrace of an Army hospital. Gately, a hillbilly, fiddles compulsively with a disemboweled radio; Silvio, a streetwise, big-city type, is addicted to "flashing" (even though his sex organs have suffered he thinks irremediable battle damage); while Natwick, a prissy "rich kid" from Long Island, writes letters to his mother telling her how much he wants to become a close friend of Gately (while omitting mention of how actively Silvio dislikes him). Comprised of a series of brief blackout scenes, the play blends these into a meaningful mosaic as the three tease, torment, entertain, exasperate and, on occasion, solace each other maintaining throughout a hilarity that belies their deep concern about the uncertainties of the civilian world to which they will soon be returning.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, School, Drama

59 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s okay! A fun short play. I don’t have much else to say about it.

[kayla michelle pisano ✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this play because it has really funny scenes. But also, this was really really interesting and I'd love to watch it.

[David LM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and often amusing series of scenes about Vietnam vets. Ultimately is both too specific and to vague to translate well for a contemporary audience, but a good source of scene material for young actors.e

[Dusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the message and think it did a great way of telling it. But I wasn't crazy about it after my first initial reading. I'm sure if I read it again and dissected it I would learn to love it.