Warren
Male, 70sAn intelligent, witty and articulate widower living in a retirement home. Father of one daughter and grandfather to one grandson, he is determined to retain control over his remaining life.
Warren
By Gideon Heath
“Some goodbyes are harder than others. Some conversations are worth waiting a lifetime for.”
The Story
Synopsis
Warren is a witty, articulate widower in his seventies who has made a deeply personal decision about how he intends to spend the time he has left.
Over two afternoons in a Southern Ontario café, his conversations with Trish, a warm-hearted young waitress, and Mike, his lifelong friend, reveal a man determined to maintain his independence and dignity, even as those closest to him struggle to understand his choices.
But it is Warren's complicated relationship with his daughter Connie that carries the greatest emotional weight. With time running short, father and daughter must confront the distance between them and decide whether reconciliation is still possible.
Blending gentle humour with emotional honesty, Warren explores aging, friendship, personal autonomy, forgiveness and the enduring importance of human connection.
Dramatis Personae
Characters
Trish
Female, 25–35A warm, quick-witted café server and single mother of a nine-year-old boy. Her compassion and humour make her an unexpected source of comfort.
Mike
Male, 70sWarren's lifelong friend. Educated, thoughtful and compassionate, he understands Warren's wishes even when the circumstances are difficult.
Connie
Female, 30sWarren's daughter and mother of his only grandchild. Independent, strong-willed and loving, she struggles with her father's decisions and her own complicated feelings.
Setting
The entire play takes place in a modest café in Southern Ontario. Warren's familiar table becomes the setting for conversations that move naturally between everyday humour and deeply personal questions.
The action unfolds over two lunchtime visits, on Thursday and Saturday. A single practical café set makes the production adaptable to intimate theatres and one-act festivals.
On the Stage
Production History & Awards
- 2024
Snap Shots Short Play Festival
Port Perry, Ontario — July 2024.
Presented as a staged reading.
Award · Audience Favourite, selected by festival patrons.
- 2025
Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays
Newmarket, Ontario — September 6–7, 2025.
Produced by The Very Useful Theatre Company.
Directed by Aaron Clapperton.
Award · Best Production.
Samantha Lai received Supporting Actress honours for her performance as Connie.
Original production cast
- Fabian Levy-Hara — Warren
- Monica Horsburgh — Trish
- John Sellens — Mike
- Samantha Lai — Connie
- 2027
Can/Am One Act Play Festival
UpcomingMount Vernon, Ohio — January 7–9, 2027.
Produced by Runaway Theatre Company.
Scheduled American premiere.
For Theatres & Producers
Read & License
Read the PlayPurchase Scripts & Order Samples
Amateur & Community ProductionsAmateur Performance Rights
Amateur and community performance rights are administered through the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
Professional ProductionsProfessional Performance Rights
Professional performance rights are handled directly by Gideon Heath.