Beggar on Horseback
(1924)
By George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly
Connelly and Kaufman took on their greatest experimentation with this play, an investigation into the then-popular form of Expressionism. A stream-of-consciousness style, with garish, nightmarish sequences, Expressionism had been successfully channeled by Eugene O’Neill for his The Emperor Jones and The Hairy Ape.
For performance rights, contact: Concord Theatricals
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The Plot
Neil McRae is a composer of serious music who orchestrates popular songs in order to keep a roof over his head; he dreams of a better life and Cynthia, the terribly pleasant girl down the hall, dreams of Neil. On the advice of a doctor friend, however, Neil proposes to the daughter of a rich industrialist. But, clearly such a materialistic future preys on Neil’s mind—in an extended dream sequence, he murders his potential fiancée and her family and goes to trial for his crimes and is sentenced to churn out an endless stream of innocuous popular tunes. Upon waking, he comes to his senses and attempts the future with Cynthia, who has been patiently waiting for him.
About the Play
Connelly and Kaufman took on their greatest experimentation with this play, an investigation into the then-popular form of Expressionism. A stream-of-consciousness style, with garish, nightmarish sequences, Expressionism had been successfully channeled by Eugene O’Neill for his The Emperor Jones and The Hairy Ape. Connelly and Kaufman’s effort, however, is more of a humorous exploitation of the style and creates a play still amusing and viable in today’s world, where the struggle for success is immense. This was the most acclaimed of all of Connelly and Kaufman’s collaborations.
Stage history
Beggar on Horseback opened on February 24, 1924 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran 224 performances. It was successfully produced in London the following season. A film version with Edward Everett Horton was released in 1925. It has never had a major professional revival—but it remains a topical and imaginative play.
Other Plays in the Catalogue
The Fabulous Invalid is a 1938 stage play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart following the oscillating fortunes of a fictitious Broadway theater, the Alexandria, in the period between 1900 and 1930. The play's title has since entered the vernacular as a synonym for the theater.
A psychological portrait of an inequitable marriage, this collaboration between Kaufman and his second wife, actress Leueen MacGrath is the story of a well-heeled Park Avenue publisher and his meek wife, who lives in the shadow of his success.
I'd Rather Be Right opened on November 2, 1937 at the Alvin Theater, where it ran 290 performances. Moviegoers may be familiar with the patter song "Off The Record," performed by James Cagney as Cohan in the film Yankee Doodle Dandy.
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Contact Us Today
Interested in bringing George S. Kaufman’s timeless plays to your stage?
Please refer to the contact information for each specific play on the various collection pages for direct amateur and professional licensing information.
Plays are represented by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Dramatic Licensing, and Music Theatre International respectively
If you are interested in first-class performance or film/television rights:
In the US, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
CPK Artists, LLC
In the UK, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
Alan Brodie Representation
For more information about George S. Kaufman or this website, contact:
Laurence Maslon
Literary Trustee, George S. Kaufman Estate
