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Family Tree (Modern Plays)
by Mojisola AdebayoWinner of the 2021 Alfred Fagon AwardIt's a play, a performance, a ritual, about human farming, farming humans, soil and the soul, seeds and cells... nursing the nursery, curing creation, remedies and vaccinations against white supremacist racism; birthing revolution, raising redemption, finding yourself in the forest of futurity, the promise of immortality and the matter of Black lives.Henrietta Lacks is one of most remarkable people in medical history. Her cells were taken without her or her family's knowledge or permission. Meet Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy and three NHS nurses in the pandemic, each denied their place in history. Now is the time for their incredible legacy to undergo a transformation. To blossom and grow into something beautiful and new.Mojisola Adebayo's new Alfred Fagon award-winning play Family Tree is a beautifully poetic drama about race, health, the environment, and the incredible legacy of one of the most influential women of modern times. This edition was published to coincide with the Actors Touring Company co-production with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Brixton House, in March 2023.
Familyman (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Rikki Beadle-BlairCaesar Ramsay works hard for his family. But the news his son Nelson reveals sends Caesar’s seemingly ordinary life rapidly spinning out of his control! Fast, furious and very funny, Familyman asks some vital questions for twentieth-century parents, like: • How do you learn to be a dad when yours left before you were two? • How do you take on responsibility for a child before you’re legally responsible for yourself? • How do you teach your children respect in an age of liberal parenting? • How do you raise happy, confi dent and successful children without throttling them before they reach eighteen? Fresh, insightful and delivered with razor-sharp wit, Familyman confi rms what many of us know only too well – parenting is messy!
"Fanned and Winnowed Opinions": Shakespearean Essays Presented to Harold Jenkins (Routledge Library Editions: Study of Shakespeare)
by John W. Mahon and Thomas A. PendletonOriginally published in 1987, "Fanned and Winnowed Opinions" celebrates the scholarship of Professor Harold Jenkins, one of this century’s foremost editors and critics of Shakespeare. All of the essays address Shakespearean topics, and many of the sixteen focus on the years between 1595 and 1605, the period on which much of Professor Jenkin’s work centers: there are, appropriately, three essays on Hamlet. A variety of critical approaches is represented, including the Freudian and the feminist; some essays focus on one play, while others take a thematic approach. Comedies, histories, and tragedies all come under consideration. The contributors include many distinguished scholars, some of whom studied under Professor Jenkins or edited volumes of the Arden Shakespeare under his direction. All of the contributions were specifically written for the Festschrift and had not appeared in print before. In addition to the scholarly essays, the volume features an introduction with an appreciative review of Harold Jenkins’ career and a complete bibliography of his works.
"Fanned and Winnowed Opinions": Shakespearean Essays Presented to Harold Jenkins (Routledge Library Editions: Study of Shakespeare)
by John W. Mahon Thomas A. PendletonOriginally published in 1987, "Fanned and Winnowed Opinions" celebrates the scholarship of Professor Harold Jenkins, one of this century’s foremost editors and critics of Shakespeare. All of the essays address Shakespearean topics, and many of the sixteen focus on the years between 1595 and 1605, the period on which much of Professor Jenkin’s work centers: there are, appropriately, three essays on Hamlet. A variety of critical approaches is represented, including the Freudian and the feminist; some essays focus on one play, while others take a thematic approach. Comedies, histories, and tragedies all come under consideration. The contributors include many distinguished scholars, some of whom studied under Professor Jenkins or edited volumes of the Arden Shakespeare under his direction. All of the contributions were specifically written for the Festschrift and had not appeared in print before. In addition to the scholarly essays, the volume features an introduction with an appreciative review of Harold Jenkins’ career and a complete bibliography of his works.
A Fanny Full of Soap: The Story of a West End Musical
by Nichola McAuliffeLeading lady and one-time telly star Eleanor Woodwarde's life is collapsing around her exquisitely turned ankles. As an alternative to suicide, she takes the lead in an overblown West End salsa musical. The producer's volatile incompetence is matched only by the length of his cigar. A rival actress is after the number one dressing room. And the director can't keep his hands to himself. Eleanor fears for her sanity, but at fifty quid a skull the show must go on..."If you want to know showbiz, read this and weep with laughter" - Joanna Lumley
Fanta Orange (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Sally WoodcockInspired by a real-life Amnesty International report, Fanta Orange is a colourful and unexpected tale that gets under the skin of modern Africa. Regina is a Kenyan house servant. Roger is her white farmer boss. The two share a curious bond. Enter Ronnie, a privileged young English girl whom Roger discovers holed up in the bush, studying the bizarre practice of dirt-eating among local tribes. Soon both women are pregnant and a saga unfolds which turns every racial and sexual preconception on its head.‘This is great theatre. Completely convincing... the tense plot slowly unfurling in a way that disturbs and satisfies in equal measure. The pace is fast and the handling of complex ideas is deft and impressive. Rich, enjoyable and powerful writing.’ What'sOnStage‘Woodcock's writing is daring, assured and often stingingly funny. Splendidly provocative stuff.’ Time Out
Fantastic Mr Fox: Plays for Children
by Roald Dahl Sally ReidFun-to-perform play - perfect for schools - of Roald Dahl's immensely popular story for younger readers in which clever Mr Fox outwits the three nasty farmers: Boggis. Bunce and Bean. This also includes staging advice on props, lighting etc at the end of the book.
Far To Go: Thursday's Child And Far To Go
by Noel StreatfeildMargaret Thursday, the unforgettable heroine of Thursday’s Child stars in this classic children’s adventure from Noel Streatfeild, the beloved author of Ballet Shoes.
Farber Plays One: Molora; RAM: The Abduction of Sita into Darkness; Mies Julie (Oberon Modern Playwrights)
by Yaël Farber‘It is impossible to come away from RAM or Mies Julie without feeling that the world must change; Molora points the way. Yaël Farber’s theatre will leave no participant unmoved.’Ingrid Rowland, from her introduction Molora In this reworking of Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Klytemnestra and Elektra face one another in a dramatic confrontation. Attempts to come to terms with their violent past echo testimonies delivered in Apartheid’s wake throughout South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. RAM: The Abduction of Sita into Darkness Farber’s potent revisioning of this age-old text is a raw and probing contemporary work which places the loss of the Feminine Divine, and thus our lack of spiritual and moral equilibrium, at its visceral core. This is a Ramayana for a new world. Mies Julie Transposed to a post-apartheid kitchen – a single night, both brutal and tender, unfolds between a black farm-labourer, the daughter of his master and the woman who has raised them both. The visceral struggles of contemporary South Africa are laid bare, as John and Mies Julie spiral in a deadly battle over power, sexuality, mothers and memory.
Farce (Transaction Series In Humor Ser.)
by Jessica Milner DavisFarce has always been relegated to the lowest rung of the ladder of dramatic genres. Distinctions between farce and more literary comic forms remain clouded, even in the light of contemporary efforts to rehabilitate this type of comedy. Is farce really nothing more than slapstick-the "putting out of candles, kicking down of tables, falling over joynt-stools," as Thomas Shadwell characterized it in the seventeenth century? Or was his contemporary, Nahum Tate correct when he declared triumphantly that "there are no rules to be prescribed for that sort of wit, no patterns to copy; and 'tis altogether the creature of imagination"? Davis shows farce to be an essential component in both the comedic and tragic traditions. Farce sets out to explore the territory of what makes farce distinct as a comic genre. Its lowly origins date back to the classic Graeco-Roman theatre; but when formal drama was reborn by the process of elaboration of ritual within the mediaeval Church, the French term "farce" became synonymous with a recognizable style of comic performance. Taking a wide range of farces from the briefest and most basic of fair-ground mountebank performances to fully-fledged five-act structures from the late nineteenth century, the book reveals the patterns of comic plot and counter-plot that are common to all. The result is a novel classification of farce-plots, which serves to clarify the differences between farce and more literary comic forms and to show how quickly farce can shade into other styles of humor. The key is a careful balance between a revolt against order and propriety, and a kind of Realpolitik which ultimately restores the social conventions under attack. A complex array of devices in such things as framing, plot, characterization, timing and acting style maintain the delicate balance. Contemporary examples from the London stage bring the discussion u
Farce
by Jessica Milner DavisFarce has always been relegated to the lowest rung of the ladder of dramatic genres. Distinctions between farce and more literary comic forms remain clouded, even in the light of contemporary efforts to rehabilitate this type of comedy. Is farce really nothing more than slapstick-the "putting out of candles, kicking down of tables, falling over joynt-stools," as Thomas Shadwell characterized it in the seventeenth century? Or was his contemporary, Nahum Tate correct when he declared triumphantly that "there are no rules to be prescribed for that sort of wit, no patterns to copy; and 'tis altogether the creature of imagination"? Davis shows farce to be an essential component in both the comedic and tragic traditions. Farce sets out to explore the territory of what makes farce distinct as a comic genre. Its lowly origins date back to the classic Graeco-Roman theatre; but when formal drama was reborn by the process of elaboration of ritual within the mediaeval Church, the French term "farce" became synonymous with a recognizable style of comic performance. Taking a wide range of farces from the briefest and most basic of fair-ground mountebank performances to fully-fledged five-act structures from the late nineteenth century, the book reveals the patterns of comic plot and counter-plot that are common to all. The result is a novel classification of farce-plots, which serves to clarify the differences between farce and more literary comic forms and to show how quickly farce can shade into other styles of humor. The key is a careful balance between a revolt against order and propriety, and a kind of Realpolitik which ultimately restores the social conventions under attack. A complex array of devices in such things as framing, plot, characterization, timing and acting style maintain the delicate balance. Contemporary examples from the London stage bring the discussion u
Farewell to the Theatre
by Richard NelsonHarley Granville Barker, the most influential theatre-maker of his time, finds himself adrift in America during the Great War. Estranged from the theatre, and with his spirit almost broken by an acrimonious divorce, he seeks refuge in the relative obscurity of a quiet, backwater, Williamstown, Massachusetts. He finds comfort in the congeniality of his fellow refugees and in the courtesy of strangers - and gradually begins to regain his faith in humanity and his belief in the central role of Theatre in the civilised community.
Farinelli and the King (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Claire Van KampenHISTORY IS BEJEWELLED WITH MYSTERIES…Depressed and plagued by insomnia, King Philippe V of Spain lies awake in his chamber. The Queen, desperate to find a cure, hears of Farinelli – a castrato with a voice so divine it has the power to captivate all who hear it. Even Philippe is astonished when Farinelli sings, and begs him to stay. But will Farinelli, one of the greatest celebrities of his time, choose a life of solitude over fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe? And will his extraordinary talent prove to be a curse rather than a blessing?
The Farm (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Nell LeyshonNothing I do has changed. I'm doing what's always been done on this piece of land.'The farm is running at a loss, but Vic is determined to keep working. He'll do everything he can, work day and night, but he won't admit that his small farm has no future.As the rural crisis deepens the three generations of his family look for ways to save the farm. But tensions between the old and new worlds threaten to tear the family apart.
Fascinating Rhythms: Shakespeare, Theory, Culture, and the Legacy of Terence Hawkes
by John DrakakisAs one of the most adventurous literary and cultural critics of his generation, Terence Hawkes’ contributions to the study of Shakespeare and the development of literary and cultural theory have been immense. His work has been instrumental in effecting a radical shift in the study of Shakespeare and of literary studies. This collection of essays by some of his closest colleagues, friends, peers, and mentees begins with an introduction by John Drakakis, outlining the profound impact that Hawkes’ work had on various areas of literary studies. It also includes a poem by Christopher Norris, who worked with Hawkes for many years at the University of Cardiff, as well as work on translation, social class, the historicist and presentist exploration of Shakespearean texts, and teaching Shakespeare in prisons. The volume features essays by former students who have gone on to establish reputations in areas beyond the study of literature, and who have contributed ground-breaking volumes to the pioneering New Accents series. It concludes with Malcolm Evans’ innovative account of the migration of semiotics into the area of business. This book is a vibrant and informative read for anyone interested in Hawkes’ unique blend of literary and cultural theory, criticism, Shakespeare studies, and presentism.
Fascinating Rhythms: Shakespeare, Theory, Culture, and the Legacy of Terence Hawkes
by John DrakakisAs one of the most adventurous literary and cultural critics of his generation, Terence Hawkes’ contributions to the study of Shakespeare and the development of literary and cultural theory have been immense. His work has been instrumental in effecting a radical shift in the study of Shakespeare and of literary studies. This collection of essays by some of his closest colleagues, friends, peers, and mentees begins with an introduction by John Drakakis, outlining the profound impact that Hawkes’ work had on various areas of literary studies. It also includes a poem by Christopher Norris, who worked with Hawkes for many years at the University of Cardiff, as well as work on translation, social class, the historicist and presentist exploration of Shakespearean texts, and teaching Shakespeare in prisons. The volume features essays by former students who have gone on to establish reputations in areas beyond the study of literature, and who have contributed ground-breaking volumes to the pioneering New Accents series. It concludes with Malcolm Evans’ innovative account of the migration of semiotics into the area of business. This book is a vibrant and informative read for anyone interested in Hawkes’ unique blend of literary and cultural theory, criticism, Shakespeare studies, and presentism.
Fascism and Theatre: Comparative Studies on the Aesthetics and Politics of Performance in Europe, 1925-1945
by Günter BerghausSince the 1920s, an endless flow of studies has analyzed the political systems of fascism, theseizure of power, the nature of the regimes, the atrocities committed, and, finally, the wars waged against other countries. However, much less attention has been paid to the strategies of persuasion employed by the regimes to win over the masses for their cause. Among these, fascist propaganda has traditionally been seen as the key means of influencing public opinion. Only recently has the "fascination with Fascism" become a topic of enquiry that has also formed the guiding interest of this volume: it offers, for the first time, a comparative analysis of the forms and functions of theater in countries governed by fascist or para-fascist regimes. By examining a wide spectrum of theatrical manifestations in a number of States with a varying degree of fascistization, these studies establish some of the similarities and differences between the theatrical cultures of several cultures in the interwar period.
Faslane (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Jenna WattWith her family having worked in Faslane with Trident all her life, and with her friends protesting at the gates, Jenna endeavours to understand her relationship to Trident, the wider nuclear debate and activism. Drawing upon interviews with individuals at the front line of the nuclear debate, including activists and MOD personnel, Jenna navigates her own journey through the politics, the protests, the peace camps and freedom of information requests to find out answers to the questions we should all be asking about our nuclear deterrent.
The Fastest Clock in the Universe (Modern Plays)
by Philip RidleyIt's Cougar's birthday. He's having a party. And the gift he'd kill for is youth...In a strange room in East London the party preparations are under way. Everything has been planned to the last detail. Surely nothing can go wrong? After all, there's the specially made birthday cake, the specially written cards, the specially chosen guest of honour... and a very, very sharp knife. Philip Ridley's edgy and provocative drama caused a sensation when it premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 1992, winning the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Newcomer to the Stage and the Meyer Whitworth Prize. It is now regarded as a contemporary classic. 'A bit like a ride on a ghost train... you find yourself shuddering with shock and laughing uproariously... horror has rarely been so much fun' Daily Telegraph'Scorchingly nasty... fingers an age and its icons with terrifying accuracy' Guardian
The Fastest Clock in the Universe: The Pitchfork Disney; The Fastest Clock In The Universe; Ghost From A Perfect Place (Modern Plays)
by Philip RidleyIt's Cougar's birthday. He's having a party. And the gift he'd kill for is youth...In a strange room in East London the party preparations are under way. Everything has been planned to the last detail. Surely nothing can go wrong? After all, there's the specially made birthday cake, the specially written cards, the specially chosen guest of honour... and a very, very sharp knife. Philip Ridley's edgy and provocative drama caused a sensation when it premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 1992, winning the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Newcomer to the Stage and the Meyer Whitworth Prize. It is now regarded as a contemporary classic. 'A bit like a ride on a ghost train... you find yourself shuddering with shock and laughing uproariously... horror has rarely been so much fun' Daily Telegraph'Scorchingly nasty... fingers an age and its icons with terrifying accuracy' Guardian
Fat Girls Don't Dance (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Maria FergusonBlending theatre, storytelling and killer moves, spoken word artist Maria Ferguson explores her relationship with the F-word (food) with the help of her first love (dance). Questioning how we all look at size, Fat Girls Don’t Dance takes us into the world of performance, where three meals a day is up for compromise and skinny sells. Also includes: Special Features and Mirrors, a short collection of poems exploring the theme of body image.
Father Nandru and the Wolves (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Julian GarnerFather Nandru & The Wolves is set in Transylvania during the last years of Nicolae Ceausescu’s regime. Five hundred years ago, founding fathers built a log church in a small village deep in the heart of Transylvania where, centuries later, the villagers still worship. When Eveline, the lop-faced daughter of a leading family, elopes with Vadim, the crippled son of a Roma dancing clan, the little village is sent into a frenzy. Only the priest, Father Nandru, is aware that just around the corner a far more dangerous threat is lurking, and that this community must put their differences aside if anything is to survive into the future. ‘A master storyteller’ Sunday Times ‘A writer of enormous integrity’ Guardian
Fatherland (Oberon Modern Plays)
by Tom HollowayTogether we have something and share a passion that other people will never understand' Mark and Angela are a father and daughter grappling with a painful past and fragile future. Tonight, an innocent evening of ice cream and DVDs derails quickly into dangerous territory in this chilling new story about a father who loved too deeply.
Fatherland (Modern Plays)
by Simon StephensCreated by Frantic Assembly's Scott Graham, Karl Hyde from Underworld and playwright Simon Stephens, Fatherland confronts contemporary fatherhood in all its complexities and contradictions. Daring in its compounding of words, music and movement, it is a vivid, urgent and deeply personal portrait of 21st-century England at the crossroads of past, present and future. Inspired by conversations with fathers and sons from the writers' home towns in the heart of the country, the play explores identity, nationality, masculinity and what it means to belong in a world weighed down by the expectations of others. Tender and tough, honest and true, Fatherland is a vital and necessary show about what we were, who we are and what we'd like to become.This text was published to coincide with Frantic Assemby's production at The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester on 1 July 2017, as part of the Manchester International Festival.