Set against the backdrop of cuts to the NHS, this contemporary retelling of a classic gothic tale draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." The narrative explores themes of decay, familial bonds, and the impact of societal changes on personal lives, weaving a haunting atmosphere that reflects both the historical context and the struggles of modern healthcare.
A manifesto for the future of playwriting, this book challenges you to be a part of that future in the belief that it is fundamentally important to write plays. Plays help us understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. Reading this book, you will be challenged to learn your craft, explode what you know, prioritise what is important to you, and write in the way that only you can write.Most books on playwriting explain how to create a believable character in a story driven by plot. This book, however, goes even further in its exploration of the playwright's most valuable theatricality. By learning from the past, and the present, the playwrights of tomorrow can create new, vivid, theatrical drama for the future.This manifesto also examines the process of writing, the art of collaboration, and the impact of writing on a playwright's mental health. It identifies the highs and lows, as well as the trials and tribulations, of life as a playwright in today's world. Theatre is a living artform. It is time for playwrights to acknowledge that fact and to celebrate the unique, primal thrill that a live theatre experience offers us. The future of playwriting is in your hands. Do you accept the challenge?
EROS!! Do your thing! It's 1950s London, and Ferdy, Bernie, Dennis and Lennie arrive from the West Indies full of expectations and aspirations. Eager to make successes of themselves, they are optimistic about what the future holds. Building this new life will take focus and sacrifice, and the young men make the bold decision to forswear wine and women for three whole years and devote themselves to their future in London. However, Sybil, Mary, Zulieka and Kathy have other ideas and the men's resolve is put to the test as the reality of life in a less-than-welcoming England makes forgoing the warmth of female company hard to resist. Will the men stick with their idea of the Big Life, or will Eros have the final say? A joyful and uplifting journey, where the story of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost meets that of the Windrush generation in a fun-packed Ska musical. The Big Life returns to the stage twenty years after its Stratford East premiere and subsequent West End transfer. This edition was published to coincide with the February 2024 production at London's Stratford East, presented in association with Chuchu Nwagu Productions Ltd.
Exploring the idea of self-sufficiency, the narrative challenges readers to consider the impact of women on their lives. It provokes thought about personal achievements, financial savings, and emotional stress that might be avoided by eliminating relationships with women. This perspective invites a deeper reflection on the value of companionship versus personal development, encouraging readers to weigh the pros and cons of their social interactions.
Exhiliarating and refreshing, blends East and West, telling a modern story mixed with Chinese myths.