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Where the Best Authors & Actors Meet. Each week, WORDTheatre® shares a brilliant short story performed live in LA, NY or London by a great actor, usually with the author in the room to hear their story being brought to life. Like what you hear? Visit WORDTheatre.org/Membership/ or if you are near the UK, visit WORDTheatreUK.org to enjoy live events and recordings by becoming a Patron or Enthusiast Member! WORDTheatre® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the US and a Dual Charitable Trust in the UK. We are on a mission to make a better world one story at a time.
Scout: Welcome back to WORDTheatre: Short Story Specialists. I’m Scout Riley.
Emma: and I’m Emma Zetterberg, thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode. August 22 marks the birthday of Dorothy Parker, one of the 20th century’s most distinctive female literary voices. To celebrate her life and work, we’re rebroadcasting Hannah Waddingham’s performance of “But the One on the Right.”
Scout: Dorothy Parker was a writer known for her humor, which you’ll experience yourselves in today’s story. She began as a caption writer at Vogue, then became Vanity Fair’s drama critic shortly after. Dorothy wrote poems, essays, stories and screenplays—two of which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Ever heard of a little film called A Star is Born? Parker was on the writing team of the original 1937 movie that was then remade three subsequent times. Talk about an enduring story.
Emma: Unfortunately, after the Second World War, Dorothy Parker was blacklisted along with many other Hollywood writers during the McCarthy Era. Always outspoken about civil rights, Dorothy bequeathed her estate and any royalties to go to Martin Luther King Junior, and after his death to the NAACP. She was truly a force to be reckoned with.
Scout: She was indeed, and this episode’s lovely actor, Hannah Waddingham, is also a force. She has the same comedic sense as Dorothy, coupled with an incredible singing voice. These two women are a creative match made in heaven. Hannah is currently starring in the fourth season of Ted Lasso on Apple TV and in the fabulous new Ride or Die with Octavia Spencer on Amazon prime, so if you’re craving more of her stellar comedic performances, check these shows out.
Emma: Today’s story, “But The One on the Right” was published in 1929 in the New Yorker. Nearly a hundred years old, this story is still timeless as it tells the inner monologue of a woman who is seated next to a boring dinner companion. We’ve all been there. Please note that WORDTheatre holds the copyright to these recordings and no portion of anything you hear on Short Story Specialists, may be reproduced without permission.
Take it away, Hannah.
Hannah Waddingham performs But the One on the Right by Dorothy Parker.
Scout: That was “But the One on the Right” by Dorothy Parker performed by Hannah Waddingham.
Emma: Thank you for listening. If you want to hear more of these stories live, check out our website www.wordtheatre.org for more information on our upcoming events in London on September 14th, New York on September 29, and Los Angeles on October 15th.
Scout: That’s also where you can become a supporting member of WORDTheatre, which helps make each podcast, live show, and title I school visit possible. Members also get discounts on tickets, access to exclusive content, and an invitation to our members-only holiday party.
Emma: We’d like to thank Randy & Jane Sinisi & Palisades Post for their ongoing support, the LA Department of Arts & Culture, and you, our listeners! Until next week, this is Emma Zetterberg
Scout: and Scout Riley, signing off for Short Story Specialists, a WORDTheatre podcast.