Overview
Anthony Neilson is often described as one of the most exciting and
challenging voices in contemporary British theatre. For over two decades
he has acquired a reputation for innovation and experimentation in both
writing and directing having worked with companies such as The Royal
Court, The RSC and the National Theatre. This third play collection of
his most recent major works brings together five plays in publication
for the first time, offering an important documentary of his original
work since 2008.
Relocated (2008) originally premiered at the
Royal Court, directed by the author, where it was described as a
"sinister mystery" play and "not an experience for the
faint-hearted...morally challenging and riveting...leaves an indelible
stain on the memory" (The Times). Get Santa! (2010) is a magical,
musical and mischievous Christmas show with a fresh moral featuring
music by Nick Powell. It's Christmas Eve but Holly isn't happy.
All she's ever wanted from Santa is to meet her real Dad for the first
time. And every time, Santa's failed to deliver, bringing lots of
useless presents instead. Well, Holly's had enough.
This year
she has a plan. She's going to wait up and trap Santa when he arrives
and get from him the only present she's ever wanted. Narrative (2013)
originally premiered at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs.
Devised throughout rehearsal with a seven-strong cast it's a play about
storytelling and the narratives of our everyday lives. Unreachable
(2016) was described as an "intoxicatingly chaotic comedy" (Time Out)
which follows a film director on an obsessive quest to capture the
perfect light. Originally running at the Royal Court Theatre in a
production that starred Matt Smith, it broke boundaries by offering
audiences a digital insight into the rehearsal process through online
content which documented and shaped the devising process.
The
Prudes (2018) is a comedy about relationships in the current sexual
climate; and a vicious satire on the male response to it. Jess and Jimmy
haven't done it in a year. Fourteen months and four days to be exact.
It's definitely not the seven year itch - they've been together nine.
Now they're coming together in a last-ditch effort to re-boot their sex
life and save their relationship. But a lot has changed in a year; for
them and for the world.
Described as a "smart, sketchy, amusing,
awkward, stimulating two-hander" (The Times), it originally premiered
at the Royal Court Upstairs. Published to coincide with his adaptation
of The Tell-Tale Heart at the National Theatre in December 2018, this
play collection is an important and unique anthology of a major
international voice of contemporary theatre.