Script Spotlight: Mr. Pim Passes By by Allison Kuznia

This month’s spotlight focuses on a play originally written by A.A. Milne, author of the beloved Winnie the Pooh series of books. Allison Kuznia has adapted Milne’s 1919 play, Mr. Pim Passes By, shortening the comedy of manners into a tight 60-minute script for six talented actors.

We had questions! Allison had answers! Enjoy!

Where do you live, and how long have you been writing plays?

I live in Minneapolis. In 2021, I founded a grassroots theater troupe with two of my friends. We were looking for a creative outlet to get us through the cold Minnesota winters. We named our little group Off The Couch Theater, and we’ve been doing a play every winter since then.

What is your experience as an actor, director, or in other aspects of theater?

I've acted in about a half dozen community theater productions. There is something about the creative environment of the theater, of working together with people to create something bigger than yourselves, that is magical.

When we started Off The Couch Theater, I started directing the plays and learned that I am a much better director than actor. I have also directed a film documentary about home-birth midwifery called Midwife.

What attracted you to creating a shortened version of A.A. Milne’s original 1919 script for Mr. Pim Passes By?

I didn't realize A.A. Milne was a playwright until finding Mr. Pim. The play had what we were looking for in terms of a small cast of a certain age and gender. It is a fantastic gem of a play that not many people know about.

Mr. Pim Passes By is a farce. What’s your best advice for an actor performing in a farce?

I told my actors, "Go big. I'll let you know if you need to dial it down." Don't be afraid to look silly or to really play up a scenario or joke.

You have an active YouTube channel. What is The Amazing Race: Home Edition?

Yes! The Amazing Race: Home Edition is my version of the CBS reality competition show done on a more local level. I am obsessed with the real Amazing Race, and I have so much fun creating my own version of it. We've done three seasons so far. I enjoy editing it all together. It's just another thing to do to keep my creative juices flowing.

You can also watch a recorded version of our play Mr. Pim Passes By on my YouTube channel.