Artists and Models is a romantic comedy for the stage, in two acts, by Michael Allen.
The play is set in the late nineteenth century, an era of prudery and sexual ignorance. The central question in this (relatively) racy play is: can Hetty Mattingly – who has led a very sheltered life – bring herself to accept a proposal of marriage from Albert Barnes? Albert has asked Hetty to marry him every year for ten years, but after this year he will ask no longer.
Hetty and her friend Lydia are artists; Albert and his old Oxford friend (the local Vicar) somehow find themselves modelling for the ladies – in the nude.There is a happy ending.
If you would like to read the script, please use the Contact link.
Prints of some Victorian nude paintings are required.
Comments from professionals
‘It’s full of charm. It’s a favourite period…. Thank you so much for letting me read it.’ Ned Sherrin
‘The characters are well rounded and bounce off each other and the script really jumps off the page. It is also original.’ Nina-Anne Kaye
‘Thanks for letting me read Artists and Models, which I thoroughly enjoyed…. I suggest that we might arrange a rehearsed play-reading of the piece, a procedure which I have found enormously helpful with my own work.’ Ray Cooney
‘I have enjoyed reading it – the subject could seem prurient if handled wrongly and it certainly avoids falling into that trap. And it has some very funny sections.’ Alan Strachan
