Five Little Plays

"Five Little Plays" by Alfred Sutro is a compilation of short plays that investigate the intricacies of modern life and relationships in the early 1900s. Through sharp conversations and well-developed characters, the plays show real-life situations and social expectations. One play, called "The Man in the Stalls," centers on Hector Allen, a man tired of his job, his wife Betty, and their friend Walter Cozens, as it explores infidelity and strained marriages. As the play begins in a cozy apartment, Hector voices his frustration with judging plays, while the developing relationship has Betty and Walter revealing a secret affection so that, when Hector goes out, tension fills the room. This dynamic creates an environment of emotional unrest and hints at future conflicts caused by love and deception.