Night of the Dunce

But the tension that hangs in the air affects them too, and they bicker among themselves, egged on by the scheming young temporary staff member who has wormed his way into the head librarian's confidence

Then mysterious phone calls are received, shadowy figures lurk outside, and a pair of unknown young men drop in and prowl aimlessly about the stacks

The head librarian, Mrs Vickers, is willing to believe that their interest is reading - until the moment of seizure suddenly threatens, and the two young men turn out to be members of a gang of toughs calling themselves the Dunces. Their purpose is to take over the library and destroy it

Surrounded and besieged, Mrs Vickers and her staff wage a seesaw battle to protect what they have and hold back the tide of ugliness which threatens to engulf them

In the end the night of threatened evil continues unresolved, but the courage and resourcefulness which have come forth to stave off destruction remain resolute as the lights dim and the defenders wait uncertainly for the attack which is sure to come

On one level the play is a chilling, suspenseful melodrama, and on another a harrowing parable for our time, a warning of the continuing menace of totalitarianism. On either basis it is well written, gripping theatre, which holds the audience in thrall from first to last

" Gagliano reminds us that drama can begin instantly. In this case terror is in the air, and we feel it right away" ~ NY World Journal Tribune

" (a) play of enormous imagination originality, and skill " ~ Cue Magazine

" a tensely holding suspense quality " ~ NY Post