'We should have brought a gift.'
'We've brought a gift. It's called twenty-two thousand pounds.'

Purchased from Russia. Developed in India. Delivered to the UK.

A global transaction over nine months that offers 'a lifetime of happiness' for all involved.

Vivienne Franzmann's play Bodies explores the human cost of surrogacy, and what we'll overlook to get what we want. The play premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, on 5 July 2017, in a production directed by Jude Christian.

About the Author
Vivienne Franzmann was a teacher who took up playwriting after winning the Bruntwood Playwriting award in 2008 with her first play, Mogadishu, which also won the 2010 George Devine Award and was first staged at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in 2011. Other plays include: The IT (National Theatre Connections festival, 2021); Bodies (Royal Court Theatre, London, 2017); Pests (Royal Court, Royal Exchange Manchester and Clean Break, 2014); and The Witness (Royal Court, 2012). She has written for Channel 4, BBC 1, Radio 4 and Radio 3. In 2014, she was awarded a BAFTA for her short film for children, Lizard Girl.

Reviews

'Immensely powerful and eloquently constructed... a richly humane and insightful piece'

* Independent *
'Engages with awkward social issues in a humane yet cautionary fashion... packs a lot of challenging ideas into 90 minutes' * Evening Standard *

'An engrossing allegory for the modern age, where we consume things at the click of a button, this new work forces a consideration of what happens when we want something so badly that we try to pretend there are no consequences'

* WhatsOnStage *

'Brims with powerful emotions and interesting ideas'

* The Arts Desk *

'Explores the ethical minefield of international surrogacy through a personal story that is compelling and increasingly distressing. It's a tough subject, but Franzmann brings a mix of dark humour and compassion to it... a piercing play about the way we live now'

* Financial Times *

'Hard-hitting... a hugely ambitious piece of work, exploring how people are commodified, bought and sold'

* Time Out *

'Bold stuff, packed with ideas... combines a dense psychological study with a philosophical question, then drops in some political bite to boot'

* The Stage *

'An outstanding success... Vivienne Franzmann is one of today's most sensitive and thoughtful playwrights'

* British Theatre Guide *



Book Information
ISBN 9781848426597
Author Vivienne Franzmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books