A Woman Walks Into A Bank

The World Cup was a roaring success, but when an old woman is conned into taking out a high-interest loan, a catastrophic series of events are set in motion. A Woman Walks Into A Bank is a powerful portrayal of a country in crisis, inspired by childhood fairytales and using biting humor to interrogate social apathy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2023
Publisher: Samuel French Ltd

The World Cup has come to an end, and it has been an immense success. Free metro travel, lively parties in the square, and even the police, armed with guns, were smiling! People finally realized that everything was alright here, and it didn't snow in the summer, as it was surprisingly warm. But, amidst all the festivities, an unfortunate incident occurred when an elderly woman was conned into taking out a high-interest loan, which she promptly forgot about. Little did she know, this simple act would set off a catastrophic chain of events, with only her cat Sally as the sole witness.

Winner of the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, "A Woman Walks Into A Bank" is a powerful portrayal of a country in crisis. Inspired by childhood fairytales, Roxy Cook's vibrant debut play employs biting humor to delve into the societal apathy that is tearing Russia apart. It raises thought-provoking questions about how we got to this point and how we can escape from this predicament.

The play takes place in Moscow, August 2018, just after the World Cup. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as the country celebrates the achievements of its national team. However, beneath the surface, there are tensions and unrest simmering. The economy is struggling, and many people are struggling to make ends meet.

The elderly woman, Mrs. Ivanova, is one such person. She is a kind and gentle soul who has lived a simple life, but she is suddenly faced with a financial crisis. She is approached by a persuasive loan shark who offers her a loan to help her out of her predicament. Mrs. Ivanova, being trusting and vulnerable, agrees to the loan without fully understanding the terms and conditions.

As time goes by, Mrs. Ivanova begins to realize the gravity of her situation. She starts to struggle to make the monthly payments on the loan, and she begins to feel the pressure of the loan shark's threats. She tries to seek help from her family and friends, but they are unable to assist her. She feels alone and helpless, with no way out of her predicament.

Meanwhile, Sally, Mrs. Ivanova's cat, becomes increasingly aware of the situation. She senses that something is wrong and starts to investigate. She follows Mrs. Ivanova's movements and observes her interactions with the loan shark and other people in her life. She becomes a silent witness to the unfolding drama, providing Mrs. Ivanova with some comfort and companionship in her darkest moments.

As the situation escalates, Mrs. Ivanova's life begins to fall apart. She loses her job, her home, and her savings. She is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive. She becomes a victim of the loan shark's cruel tactics, and she is left with nothing but debt and despair.

But, even in the face of adversity, Mrs. Ivanova refuses to give up. She is determined to find a way to overcome her financial crisis and regain control of her life. She turns to her cat, Sally, for guidance and support. Sally, being a loyal and intelligent companion, helps Mrs. Ivanova to plan her escape from the loan shark and to rebuild her life.

Through their journey, Mrs. Ivanova and Sally learn important lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the power of friendship. They also come to understand the importance of being aware of the risks and consequences of making decisions that can have a profound impact on our lives.

In the end, Mrs. Ivanova is able to overcome her financial crisis and rebuild her life. She learns to be more cautious and responsible with her money, and she becomes an advocate for financial literacy and awareness. Sally, too, becomes a symbol of hope and resilience, reminding people that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light and a reason to keep going.

"A Woman Walks Into A Bank" is a powerful play that explores the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of our actions, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of theatre to bring us together and inspire us to think critically about the world around us.

In conclusion, the World Cup has come to an end, and it has been a roaring success. Free metro travel, lively parties in the square, and even the police, armed with guns, were smiling! People finally realized that everything was alright here, and it didn't snow in the summer, as it was surprisingly warm. But, amidst all the festivities, an unfortunate incident occurred when an elderly woman was conned into taking out a high-interest loan, which she promptly forgot about. Little did she know, this simple act would set off a catastrophic chain of events, with only her cat Sally as the sole witness.

Winner of the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, "A Woman Walks Into A Bank" is a powerful portrayal of a country in crisis. Inspired by childhood fairytales, Roxy Cook's vibrant debut play employs biting humor to delve into the societal apathy that is tearing Russia apart. It raises thought-provoking questions about how we got to this point and how we can escape from this predicament.

The play takes place in Moscow, August 2018, just after the World Cup. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as the country celebrates the achievements of its national team. However, beneath the surface, there are tensions and unrest simmering. The economy is struggling, and many people are struggling to make ends meet.

The elderly woman, Mrs. Ivanova, is one such person. She is a kind and gentle soul who has lived a simple life, but she is suddenly faced with a financial crisis. She is approached by a persuasive loan shark who offers her a loan to help her out of her predicament. Mrs. Ivanova, being trusting and vulnerable, agrees to the loan without fully understanding the terms and conditions.

As time goes by, Mrs. Ivanova begins to realize the gravity of her situation. She starts to struggle to make the monthly payments on the loan, and she begins to feel the pressure of the loan shark's threats. She tries to seek help from her family and friends, but they are unable to assist her. She feels alone and helpless, with no way out of her predicament.

Meanwhile, Sally, Mrs. Ivanova's cat, becomes increasingly aware of the situation. She senses that something is wrong and starts to investigate. She follows Mrs. Ivanova's movements and observes her interactions with the loan shark and other people in her life. She becomes a silent witness to the unfolding drama, providing Mrs. Ivanova with some comfort and companionship in her darkest moments.

As the situation escalates, Mrs. Ivanova's life begins to fall apart. She loses her job, her home, and her savings. She is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive. She becomes a victim of the loan shark's cruel tactics, and she is left with nothing but debt and despair.

But, even in the face of adversity, Mrs. Ivanova refuses to give up. She is determined to find a way to overcome her financial crisis and regain control of her life. She turns to her cat, Sally, for guidance and support. Sally, being a loyal and intelligent companion, helps Mrs. Ivanova to plan her escape from the loan shark and to rebuild her life.

Through their journey, Mrs. Ivanova and Sally learn important lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the power of friendship. They also come to understand the importance of being aware of the risks and consequences of making decisions that can have a profound impact on our lives.

In the end, Mrs. Ivanova is able to overcome her financial crisis and rebuild her life. She learns to be more cautious and responsible with her money, and she becomes an advocate for financial literacy and awareness. Sally, too, becomes a symbol of hope and resilience, reminding people that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light and a reason to keep going.

"A Woman Walks Into A Bank" is a powerful play that explores the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of our actions, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of theatre to bring us together and inspire us to think critically about the world around us.

ISBN-13: 9780573000423