The Children's Hour

The Children's Hour, by Lillian Hellman. It is a drama set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. An angry student, Mary Tilford, runs away from the school and to avoid being sent back she tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair. The accusation proceeds to destroy the women's careers, relationships and lives. Miss Hellman made the comment in an interview that the play is not about lesbianism but about a lie.

The original text
The play was first staged on Broadway at Maxine Elliott's Theatre in 1934. The play was revived in London's West End beginning 22 January 2011 starring Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss, directed by Ian Rickson.

Performance history in South Africa
Performed at the Library Theatre, Johannesburg in 1946 by amateur players.

Presented by the University of the Free State Drama Department at the Scaena Theatre opening 10 September 1982. Ann Ranger was the director, Chris Fourie designed the decor and the cast were students of the Department.

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