The Writer E-Book

Ella Hickson

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

'I want the world to change shape.' 'I'm not sure theatre can do that.' 'Well then where am I meant to take that impulse because I'm very serious about the endeavour?' A young writer challenges the status quo but discovers that creative gain comes at a personal cost. The Writer premiered in 2018 at the Almeida Theatre, London, in a production directed by Blanche McIntyre. The Writer was a finalist for the 2019 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. 'A playwright who grabs the zeitgeist' Independent

Leseprobe

Ella Hickson

THE WRITER

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Original Production

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Characters

The Writer

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

The Writer was first performed at the Almeida Theatre, London, on 24 April 2018 (previews from 14 April), with the following cast:

ROMOLA GARAI

MICHAEL GOULD

LARA ROSSI

SAMUEL WEST

Direction Blanche McIntyre

Design Anna Fleischle

Light Richard Howell

Sound Emma Laxton

Video Designer Zakk Hein

Movement Sasha Milavic Davies

Casting Julia Horan CDG

Costume Supervisor Natasha Prynne

Design Associate Ruth Hall

Design Assistant Emily Bestow

Design Intern Gioia Danz

Resident Director Piers Black

Acknowledgements

I wrote this play at The MacDowell Colony in the summer of 2017. I’d like to thank MacDowell for the space, time and freedom to write. Whilst there I met some brilliant artists who helped me hash out the ideas in this play; Liza Birkenmeier, MT Connolly, Emily Hass, Lisa Kelly, Katherine Behar, Josh Kryah, Asa Horvitz, Alex Tanner and Stephen Karam.

Courage is not a straightforward thing; the kindness of Sacha Wares, Natalie Abrahami, Tanya Seghatchian, Carrie Cracknell, Jenny Worton, Julia Horan and the enduring support of Rachel Taylor have been crucial. I am very grateful.

My thanks to Henry and Fiona Fleet, Nick and Minna Payne and Al and Des Smith for offering home; desks to write at, beds to sleep in, home-cooked meals, babies to hug and miles to run.

Thank you to Oli B, Sam, Jamie, Caitlin, Alice B, Munby, Hutson, Becky Johnson, Douggie McMeekin, Corrigan, Tobes, Jess, Jessie, Izzy, James, Beth, Fran, Jo, Polly and my family for their ears.

My thanks to David Greig for a cabin on Rannoch and a fire in a beer can in Green Park.

My thanks to Lucy Pattison and all at the Almeida. My thanks to Rupert for programming it quickly, allowing it to be urgent and for always taking the risk.

A huge thank you to Blanche, Piers, the cast and the creative team for a gorgeously happy, calm and interrogative rehearsal process.

E.H.

For You

Characters

WRITER

DIRECTOR

FEMALE ACTOR/GIRLFRIEND

MALE ACTOR/BOYFRIEND

In the original production, three audience plants were used.

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

ONE

A bare stage, post-show, worker lights are on. A YOUNG WOMAN stands and walks on from the audience, takes in the space, there’s something sacred. She breathes. Lights come up. Slowly. It’s hers, for a moment. From the back of the auditorium an OLDER MAN, forties, like he owns the space. She sees him, freezes. He sees her – stops.

Hi.

Hi.

Do I –

I left my bag, I had to come back for it.

Lesen Sie weiter in der vollst?ndigen Ausgabe!

Lesen Sie weiter in der vollst?ndigen Ausgabe!