Enclosed Premises
Enclosed Premises is a one act play by Philip Johnson ()[].
Contents
The original text
For twenty-two years Edgar Moon, a jeweller's assistant, has been dominated completely by Esta, his querulous wife, and by her mother and sister who share his home. He has toyed with the notion of shooting himself, but an opportunity occures to scare his womenfolk into submission. Unknown to them, the firm presents Edgar with a silver rose-bowl to mark his twenty-fifth year of service. He returns with the gift, pretends to have stolen it, and declares that prison will mean spiritual freedom for him after years of feminine tyranny. The women, appalled by the prospect of social disgrace, are inclined to repentance, but are infuriated with Edgar's employer arrives to reveal the truth. Edgar's temporary bombast collapses. Goaded by a fresh wave of nagging from Esta, who pursues him upstairs, he shoots her. The curtain falls as he calmly telephones the police - a free man at last.
Translations and adaptations
Translated into Afrikaans as Tussen Vier Mure ("between four walls") by Mariechen Naudé. Play text published by DALRO in 1970.
Performance history in South Africa
Sources
https://www.concordtheatricals.co.uk/p/66390/enclosed-premises
DALRO Text of Tussen Vier Mure, the Afrikaans translation.
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