by Anthony Neilson (Author), Aleks Sierz (Editor), Simon Stephens (Author), Aleks Sierz (Editor), Anthony Neilson (Author), Bola Agbaje (Author), Kwame Kwei-Armah (Author), Joe Penhall (Author)
The Methuen Drama Book of 21st Century British Plays showcases five of the best new plays from the first decade of the twenty-first century. A perfect reminder of the relevance, vitality and innovation of British theatre, this collection represents some of the most exciting plays to emerge in recent years. Joe Penhall's multi-award-winning Blue/Orange was heralded as 'one of the best new plays in the National's history' (Sunday Times). Set in a mental hospital it provides a riveting exploration of racism, health and power, and was the winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Play 2001. Elmina's Kitchen by Kwame Kwei-Armah, about gun crime and the struggle to make a living on Hackney's Murder Mile, marked the emergence of a major new writing talent. 'An exquisite tragi-comedy for our times' (Herald) Neilson's Realism dramatises the everyday life and increasingly bizarre fantasies and thoughts of its protagonist with comic zeal and inspired inventiveness. Gone Too Far! explores a London community divided by race and prejudice. The first play to be written about the London 7/7 terrorist bombings, Simon Stephens' Pornography tells seven entwining stories of people's lives during the day leading up to the catastrophic event.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 480
Publisher: Methuen Drama
Published: 26 Feb 2010
ISBN 10: 1408123916
ISBN 13: 9781408123911
Book Overview: Each of the plays has been a major hit at theatres during the last ten years Containing award-winning plays by established and emerging new writers, the collection is set to become a standard reference for students and anyone interested in contemporary theatre Blue/Orange was also awarded the Evening Standard & Critic's Circle Best Play Awards. Kwei-Armah was awarded the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising New Playwright for Elmina's Kitchen Gone Too Far! won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement 'Neilson is a writer at the height of his powers...an absolute joy from start to finish' (Herald on Realism)