Description: One of the great successes of distinguished writer Lillian Hellman, this serious play about two women who run a school for girls highlights the real-life consequences of a lie told by a disgruntled student. After the malicious youngster starts a rumor about the two women, it soon turns to scandal. As the young girl comes to understand the power she wields, she sticks by her story, which precipitates tragedy for both women. It is later discovered that the gossip was pure invention, but it is too late. Irreparable damage has been done.
Review Quotes: "Eighty years on, The Children's Hour is still a striking drama." - Sydney Arts Guide
"First produced on Broadway in 1934, The Children's Hour is a cross between The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and The Crucible, being partly a study of deportment and partly an example of what happens when a malicious whispering campaign gets out of hand." - The Guardian
"A fascinating piece of queer dramatic history based on a true story, The Children's Hour was the first play from legendary American playwright Lillian Hellman. It premiered on Broadway in 1934, a time when the mention of homosexuality on stage was illegal in New York State." - Time Out