The Pot Boiler, a one-act satire by Alice Gerstenberg, is a classic of the American stage. It shows Mr. Sud demonstrating how a truly great playwright (himself) constructs a play. For blocking, he uses desk-top items—so we have Mrs. Pencil, Mr. Ruler, Mr. and Miss Ivory (letter openers, of course), and Mr. Inkwell. As he piles cliche upon cliche and the melodramatic plot unfolds, it becomes obvious that this brilliant satire might be describing one or more prominent playwrights of today.

The Pot Boiler was first produced at the Player's Workshop, East 57th Street, Chicago, November 20, 1916, under the direction of Elizabeth Bingham. Later produced by the Theatre Workshop, New York; Arthur Maitland Theatre, San Francisco; Hollywood Community Theatre, Hollywood, California; and elsewhere throughout the world. Published by Stewart & Kidd Co. in a volume of "Fifty Contemporary One Act Plays" of the world, compiled by Shay and Loving.

Popular in vaudeville, the play was shortened to five players; Sud assumed the part of Ivory himself and addressed his remarks to the audience instead of to Wouldby. The Stagehand's role may be handled by a real stagehand, who has no onstage lines (his one offstage line may be spoken by any member of the cast). Wouldby may be played by a woman.

Simple set; modern clothes.

Other Clark adaptations: As You Like It, The Barber of Seville, Cain: a Mystery, Cyrano de Bergerac, Doctor in Spite of Himself, Gondoliers, Importance of Being Earnest, Macbeth, Marriage of Figaro, School for Husbands, She Stoops to Conquer