The Children's Hour

One of the great successes of distinguished writer Lillian Hellman, this serious play about two women who run a school for girls highlights the real-life consequences of a lie told by a disgruntled student. After the malicious youngster starts a rumor about the two women, it soon turns to scandal. As the young girl comes to understand the power she wields, she sticks by her story, which precipitates tragedy for both women. It is later discovered that the gossip was pure invention, but it is too late. Irreparable damage has been done.