There are only two characters though they run through some transformations during the course of the plot. This short, one act play by david ives take a look at an interview at columbia is a fascinating springboard into drama. The play, sure thing by david ives, is a drama with an exceptional structure. Play analysis sure thing by david ivis the setting of sure thing by david ivis is important in terms of setting the mood as well as the context for the plays main conflict. David ives is renowned for his seinfeldlike humor, for his ability to think what if and turn it into an astoundingly funny play. All in the timing sure thing williamsburg theatre company. The central theme throughout the play displays multiple varieties of a possible conversation that ends with a ringing bell that symbolizes a fresh start and a second chance to make a good impression. Two people meet in a cafe and find their way through a conversational minefield as. Pdf 1 the play sure thing from david ives examines.
A man and a woman meet for the first time in a cafe, where they have an awkward meeting continually reset each time they say the wrong thing, until, finally, they romantically connect. One of the greatest reading experiences of my life. Pdf the postmodern narrative in sure thing david boone. Play analysis sure thing by david ivis essay example. David ives employs exactly the same subject content in the script sure factor. Sure thing included in the volume all in the timing, six oneact plays david ives. Ives has asked himself the question, what if two wouldbe lovers are given the chance to start. In david ives play sure thing, the two characters are bill and betty. It seems that the story is based on maintaining political correctness.
Its unknown if one inspired the other, but we do know that both storylines feature an incredible phenomenon. Their meeting is constantly being reset by a ring of a bell. Ives provides a humorous understanding of relationships. Essay on david ives sure thing on the surface david ives sure thing is a play about two strangers who meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. David ives employs the same subject content in his script sure thing. Ives forms an effective drama that explores the different reactions humans have towards a few simple words.
Reread it quite a number of times throughout the past week just to relieve myself of the days burdens and challenges. When analyzed in more depth, the play is actually about the struggle that exists between ones desire to be an individual and the need to conform, to a certain degree, in order to be. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of sure thing by david ives. Film adaptation of the play sure thing by david ives. All in the timing by david ives is a collection of fourteen short plays most of which fall into the comedy category, though there are some exceptions. We will frequently figure out this sentence anywhere. The play was first produced in 1988, and was published in 1994. Its a sure thing love is important english literature essay. The meaning of sure thing by david ives sure thing by david ives is a short play about bill and betty meeting in a cafe. I was so excited after ten pages that i went out and bought everything else he wrote. In david ives play sure thing the setting of the drama is crucial to the characters development.
Sure thing study guide contains a biography of david ives, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. I mean, whats a goodlooking woman like you doing out alone on a friday night. Sure thing by david ives by antaszsa johnson on prezi. I mean, all that incredible psychological understanding. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if i had screwed up on purpose all those years. Right from the beginning, sure thing, by david ives, is loud and obvious. Sure thing features comic pros carson elrod and liv rooth. Critical analysis essay on the drama sure thing by david ives engaging in a fight with members of the opposite sex can turn out to be a strenuous task. In the play sure thing by david ives, how many characters were. Like at some point in which the audience is aware of an opportunity meeting between two other people that concludes using the about a married relationship will emerge from it kennedy gioia, 2009. Sure thing was first presented at the manhattan punch line theatre steve kaplan, artistic director in new york city in february 1988.
It had its premiere offbroadway in 1993 at primary stages, and was revived at primary stages in 20. David ives tells a story of love and companionship in his play soap opera. Critical analysis of the drama sure thing by david ives essay. Sure thing essays are academic essays for citation. He was educated at northwestern university and the yale school of drama. Get an answer for what elements of a comedy does david ives oneact play sure thing display. It was funny, was a light read and had me transition from softly giggling to fullout laughter. Sure thing is a short comic play by american playwright david ives, first produced in 1988 and published in 1993. He won the 1994 outer critics circle john gassner playwriting award for the primary stages production of all in the timing, which was also nominated for a drama desk award as outstanding play. Taking place over ten minutes, it focuses on the chance meeting of two characters, betty and bill, who have their conversation constantly interrupted and reset by the use of a ringing bell that rings every time one of them responds. With every exchange of conversation there is the ability to regain a fresh start. Sure thing in david ives short oneact comedy play sure thing he examines a number of variations in which a conversation between a guy and girl could take place.
There is an interview with david ives moderated by poas claudia catania, following the play. David ives is an american playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. It was first published by dramatists play service in 1994, with a collection of six plays. Ive spend so much of my life asking for the wrong thing without knowing it, doing it on purpose comes easy. From the minute i started reading all in the timing with the play sure thing i knew i would enjoy it. It is one of the most unique piece of literature that i have ever read. Sure thing paper the play sure thing, by david ives, reveals the variations of boy, bill, meets girl, betty, and the ensuing pick up lines. All in the timing written by david ives directed by joseph hendel performed at the knitting factory in brooklyn featuring. Sure thing is a short comic play by david ives featuring a chance meeting of two characters, betty and bill, whose conversation is continually reset by the use of. All in the timing is a collection of oneact plays by the american playwright david ives, written between 1987 and 1993.
Sure thing a play by david ives pdf sure thing a play by david ives. This was a powerful and sharplycrafted play, perhaps the best that ive read or seen in years. About five years later, the movie groundhog day starring bill murray was released. Sure thing is a short comic play by david ives featuring a chance meeting of two characters, betty and bill, whose conversation is continually reset by the use of a ringing bell, starting over when one of them responds negatively to the other. Theatre in st andrews has kicked off with a special, short introduction to mermaids. Beneath the surface, david ives play sure thing provides a provocative look into the process of narrativebuilding in relationships. Genres comedy, arthouse director deborah reinisch starring gia crovatin, luke kirby. The importance of setting in sure thing, a play by david ives. Helene g adaptation from david ives all in the timing. After reading it a few times we then thought the theme was about a girl. The sure thing 1988 by david ives from a collection of six short plays published together as a collection called all in the timing how to cite on your works cited page. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started.
A fresh start and second chances as symbolized by the ringing of the bell is only one theme in this play. Mohammed ali who is a prizefighting boxing champion once stated that his toughest fight was with his first wife. Theme, setting, plot, characters all of these things are essential to the understanding and captivation of the audience. The meaning of sure thing by david ives essay example. Sure thing, a 10minute comedy by ives, was created in 1988. Essay on love and relationships in sure thing by david ives.