Description
Pornography is Simon Stephens' stark and shattering new play that powerfully captures a portrait of a fractured, insecure Britain. Written in reaction to London crashing from the euphoria and promise at being awarded the 2012 Olympics into the chaos and reality of the 7/7 bombings, the play is composed of seven stories that serve as a countdown to the catastrophic attack on London. Each playlet focuses on a different individual dramatising their life in the run-up to the tragedy. Published to coincide with the English language premiere at the Traverse Theatre in August as part of the International Edinburgh Festival before transferring to the Birmingham Rep, this is the first stage play to confront the London bombings of 7 July 2005.
Published as a programme text in conjunction with the Traverse Theatre and Birmingham Rep's production as part of the International Edinburgh Festival The play is staged at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, throughout August, and at Birmingham Rep from 3-20 September 2008 Simon Stephens' most recent play, Harper Regan, was produced by the National Theatre from April 2008 The Edinburgh Festival is the world's largest performing arts festival and the Traverse Theatre is Scotland's leading new writing theatre
About the Author
Simon Stephens has been the recipient of both the Pearson Award for Best New Play 2001-2 for his play Port, and the Olivier Award for Best New Play 2005 for On the Shore of the Wide World. His most recent play, Harper Regan, was produced at the National Theatre in April 2008.
Reviews
'To call Simon Stephen's Pornography specifically a play about the July 7 bombings in London would be to do it a disservice. Though it deals with events leading up to the atrocities oft hat fateful day, this is unmistakeably a state of the nation play in the fullest sense. One which looks at what it means to be British today and the culture of displacement we live in with soulful mourning.' Alan Chadwick, Metro (London), 5.8.08 'Stephens, who has already written the best play of the year (Harper Regan, at the National) has come up with another cracker - one that searches for new forms to say new things. He observes his characters with an almost forensic detachment and yet he makes us love them, too... This is a play of grace and terror.' Lyn Gardner, Guardian, 5.8.08 'In Simon Stephens' new play the build up of everyday detritus of contemporary mass culture, from coffee brands to the disposable, detached sexuality of pornography, is insidious.' Steve Cramer, List, 7.8.08
Book Information
ISBN 9781408110560
Author Simon Stephens
Format Paperback
Page Count 80
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 76g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 5mm
Published as a programme text in conjunction with the Traverse Theatre and Birmingham Rep's production as part of the International Edinburgh Festival The play is staged at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, throughout August, and at Birmingham Rep from 3-20 September 2008 Simon Stephens' most recent play, Harper Regan, was produced by the National Theatre from April 2008 The Edinburgh Festival is the world's largest performing arts festival and the Traverse Theatre is Scotland's leading new writing theatre
About the Author
Simon Stephens has been the recipient of both the Pearson Award for Best New Play 2001-2 for his play Port, and the Olivier Award for Best New Play 2005 for On the Shore of the Wide World. His most recent play, Harper Regan, was produced at the National Theatre in April 2008.
Reviews
'To call Simon Stephen's Pornography specifically a play about the July 7 bombings in London would be to do it a disservice. Though it deals with events leading up to the atrocities oft hat fateful day, this is unmistakeably a state of the nation play in the fullest sense. One which looks at what it means to be British today and the culture of displacement we live in with soulful mourning.' Alan Chadwick, Metro (London), 5.8.08 'Stephens, who has already written the best play of the year (Harper Regan, at the National) has come up with another cracker - one that searches for new forms to say new things. He observes his characters with an almost forensic detachment and yet he makes us love them, too... This is a play of grace and terror.' Lyn Gardner, Guardian, 5.8.08 'In Simon Stephens' new play the build up of everyday detritus of contemporary mass culture, from coffee brands to the disposable, detached sexuality of pornography, is insidious.' Steve Cramer, List, 7.8.08
Book Information
ISBN 9781408110560
Author Simon Stephens
Format Paperback
Page Count 80
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 76g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 5mm
