Still Stands the House

by Gwen Pharis Ringwood

Bruce finally agrees to give up his house for his wife's sake when a city man makes him an offer, although it means admitting defeat. But his sister refuses to move from the house with its hallowed memories. And as a result she knowingly sends Bruce and his wife to their deaths in a blizzard.

Genres: Plays

First published January 1, 1938

Reviews

[Julian Munds · Rating 1 out of 5]

This play is just mood. The characters are two dimensional. Hester is the nutbar from her entrance. And the stage directions read like someone pulling them from a Maugham play. A really inferior dramatic work that may be remembered only because it is small example of Canadian Theatre work from a time where we had little. Far littler then we even have now.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I would call an entertaining performance. Seems to be mostly arguing that doesn't really go anywhere.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought it was pretty nice, kept me engaged the whole way through. i liked how the scenery + weather reflected the characters' emotions and mood of the piece

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark!

[neener · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9/5

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It will not be the description of winter that will send your blood to freeze from this play. it is the madness of Hester Warren that creates the icicles to form. She sacrificed her life to her father and brother and to the up keep of the house that is frozen in time. Because of this she can't live without her house. The one act play is set during the Depression years in Canada and at the time of the play deep in winter. Bruce Warren is her younger brother and Ruth is his wife and the three of them live in the old house the Warren father had built himself when farming was profitable. Ruth is a lonely woman who is stifled by the house and the distant attitude of Hester. To start with the reader of the play and even the viewers (when it is performed) are lulled into a feeling this will just be a mild drawing-room piece where nothing much happens. Gwen Ringwood will turns that swiftly on its head and it becomes something much more than a mild little play where nothing much happens. It's damning, it's frightening and it's a great read or play to produce.