MADNESS MOST DISCREET: Larry and Viv's Last Visit

by Donna Hoke

Summoned by Vivien Leigh's final companion, Jack Merivale, Sir Laurence Olivier rushes to the apartment where his one-time love has been recovering from a bout of tuberculosis. Viv and Larry's love story was as legendary as the careers they forged on stage and film--until devastating mental illness tore them apart. Is it too late for them to make amends?

Summoned by Vivien Leigh's final companion, Jack Merivale, Sir Laurence Olivier rushes to the apartment where his one-time love has been recovering from a bout of tuberculosis. Viv and Larry's love story was as legendary as the careers they forged on stage and film--until devastating mental illness tore them apart. Is it too late for them to make amends?

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MADNESS MOST DISCREET: Larry and Viv's Last Visit

Recommended by

  • Paula Cizmar: MADNESS MOST DISCREET: Larry and Viv's Last Visit

    A love story of two legends, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and a great opportunity for two actors to dive deep into the pain and longing behind a relationship. The play contains all the components--love, regret, bitterness, forgiveness, joy, and heartbreak--that human love provokes.

    A love story of two legends, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and a great opportunity for two actors to dive deep into the pain and longing behind a relationship. The play contains all the components--love, regret, bitterness, forgiveness, joy, and heartbreak--that human love provokes.

  • Stephen Kaplan: MADNESS MOST DISCREET: Larry and Viv's Last Visit

    A fascinating examination and imagining of Olivier and Leigh's final meeting. Crackling with witty repartee and devastating emotion, Hoke crafts her well-known subjects with humanity and shows a possible hidden side to them that beautifully completes their public personas. A great two-hander that actors can really sink their teeth into.

    A fascinating examination and imagining of Olivier and Leigh's final meeting. Crackling with witty repartee and devastating emotion, Hoke crafts her well-known subjects with humanity and shows a possible hidden side to them that beautifully completes their public personas. A great two-hander that actors can really sink their teeth into.

  • Samantha Marchant: MADNESS MOST DISCREET: Larry and Viv's Last Visit

    A well structured exploration of love, life and what we mean to one another. Hoke expertly weaves in facts about two movie legends as she keeps the story moving forward. Tender and a bit heartbreaking, this two-hander will appeal to fans of Viv and Larry and to those who just love love.

    A well structured exploration of love, life and what we mean to one another. Hoke expertly weaves in facts about two movie legends as she keeps the story moving forward. Tender and a bit heartbreaking, this two-hander will appeal to fans of Viv and Larry and to those who just love love.

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Viv
    Stunningly beautiful star of stage and screen
    Character Age
    53
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Larry
    Good-looking star of stage and screen
    Character Age
    60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization And Toto Too, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization Palm Beach Dramaworks, Year 2022
  • Type Reading, Organization Femme Fatale, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization Palm Beach Dramaworks, Year 2021
  • Type Commission, Organization New Phoenix Theatre Company, Year 2019