Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Infobox Play
name = Whose Life Is It Anyway?


image_size = 180px
caption =
writer = Brian Clark
characters = Ken Harrison
Dr. Scott
Dr. Emerson
Mrs. Boyle
Andrew Eden
Dr. Barr
Mr. Justice Millhouse
John
Peter Kershaw
Sister Anderson
Dr. Paul Travers
Kay Sadler
Philip Hill
setting = a London hospital
premiere = 1978
place = Mermaid Theatre
London, England
orig_lang = English
subject = Accident victim, paralysed from the neck down, fights for the right to die.
genre = Drama
ibdb_id = 9352

"Whose Life Is It Anyway?" is a play by Brian Clark adapted from his 1972 television movie of the same title. The play premiered at the Mermaid Theatre in London's West End in 1978 starring Tom Conti as Ken.

Plot

Set in a hospital room, the action revolves around Ken Harrison, a sculptor by profession, who was paralysed from the neck down (quadriplegia) in a car accident and is determined to be allowed to die. Clark presented arguments both in favor of and opposing euthanasia and to what extent government should be allowed to interfere in the life of a private citizen. In portraying Ken as a bright, witty, vibrant mind trapped in a useless body, he left the audience conflicted about his desire to end his life.

Productions

After nine previews, the drama, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, opened at the Trafalgar Theatre (renamed the Nederlander Theatre) in New York City on April 17, 1979 and ran for 223 performances. It marked the Broadway debut of Conti, who was joined by Jean Marsh and Philip Bosco. Conti was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and won the 1979 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Both the play itself and Lindsay-Hogg were nominated as well.

The play, again directed by Lindsay-Hogg, was revived on Broadway, at the Royale Theatre, where it opened on February 24, 1980 after nine previews. A gender reversal found Mary Tyler Moore in the lead role, rechristened Claire, and James Naughton as her now-male doctor. Josef Sommer rounded out the principal cast. The play ran for 96 performances. Moore was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Play and won a special 1980 Tony Award for her performance.

Husband and wife Laurence Luckinbill and Lucie Arnaz starred in the national tour of the play. The two rotated playing the patient (Ken/Claire) and doctor.

Adaptations

"Whose Life Is It Anyway?" was adapted from Clark's own television film of the same title directed by Richard Everitt starring Ian McShan.

A film adapted by Reginald Rose and directed by John Badham was released in 1981, starring Richard Dreyfuss, John Cassavetes, and Christine Lahti.

Awards and nominations

; Awards
* 1978 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play; Nominations
* 1979 Tony Award for Best Play

References

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External links

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