Conflict (play)
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- Lady Dare Bellingdon
- Tom Smith
- Sir Ronald Clive
- Lord Bellingdon
- Mrs. Tremayne
- Mrs. Robinson
- Daniels
| Conflict | |
|---|---|
 Poster for a 2018 production | |
| Written by | Miles Malleson |
| Characters |
|
| Date premiered | 1925 |
| Place premiered | London, England |
| Original language | English |
Conflict is a political love story by Miles Malleson. The play premiered in London in 1925 to critical acclaim, and was later adapted into the 1931 British film The Woman Between.[1]
Conflict subsequently went unproduced for nearly a century, eventually having its U.S. Off-Broadway premiere with Mint Theater Company at the Samuel Beckett Theatre. Directed by Jenn Thompson, the cast featured Jessie Shelton, Jeremy Beck, Henry Clarke, Graeme Malcolm, Jasmin Walker, Amelia White, and James Prendergast. The production received widespread acclaim, and was named a "Critic's Pick" by The New York Times.[2]
- Lady Dare Bellingdon
- Tom Smith
- Sir Ronald Clive
- Lord Bellingdon
- Mrs. Tremayne
- Mrs. Robinson
- Daniels
Plot
Set amidst London's 1925 social season, Conflict centers on Lady Dare Bellingdon, a young debutante living with her aristocratic father, Lord Bellingdon. She is romantically involved with Sir Ronald Clive, a Conservative politician aligned with her father. Despite their long courtship, the match leaves Dare feeling restless and intellectually unfulfilled. Dare's outlook begins to change when she encounters Tom Smith, an earnest and articulate working-class candidate for Parliament representing the Labour Party. Initially dismissive of his politics, Dare becomes increasingly intrigued by Tomy's ideas about social reform, class inequality, and workers' rights. As she spends more time with him, she begins to question her own assumptions about society and her place within it.
The political contest between Ronald and Tom—who are opposing candidates in an election—parallels Dare's personal conflict. Torn between her established life with Ronald and her growing admiration for Tom, she is forced to confront the moral and emotional implications of her choices. Her evolving political consciousness leads her to reassess her loyalties, both romantic and ideological. Ultimately, Dare breaks with Ronald and aligns herself with Tom, signaling both a romantic union and a shift in her political sympathies. The play concludes with her embracing a more socially conscious worldview, suggesting the possibility of personal transformation amid broader societal change.
Production history
2018 Off-Broadway production
Mint Theater Company produced the play's U.S. premiere at the Samuel Beckett Theatre, which ran from May 25 through July 21, 2018. Directed by Jenn Thompson, the cast consisted of Jessie Shelton, Jeremy Beck, Henry Clarke, Graeme Malcolm, Jasmin Walker, Amelia White, and James Prendergast. The creative team included John McDermott (sets), Martha Hally (costumes), Mary Louise Geiger (lights), Toby Algya (sound), Chris Fields (props), and Amy Stoller (dialects & dramaturgy).[2]