House of America

by Ed Thomas

An explosive, passionate play about a Welsh family and the American dream, House of America is an angsty, unsentimental work that deals with themes such as the disintegration (or lack) of national identity and the absence of a father figure. When their father abandons them for a new life in California and an open-cast mine encroaches on their house, life for the family is going to change forever. Mam goes mad after killing a cat called Brando, and despite hometown brother Boyo’s protests, nothing can stop Sid and Gwenny from retreating into a fantasy world of Jack Kerouac and his Beat Generation classic novel On the Road .

100 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[RdWd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that shines a murky light on a type of 'Americanisation' of Wales, though not through the typical consumerist channels, but rather through the romanticisation of America's cultural heroes (e.g. Jack Kerouac) in juxtaposition to Wales's perceived lack of thereof. Great characters and dialogue, the mystery of the siblings' missing father simmers until the third act, where it reaches boiling point.

Playwright Ed Thomas went on to write the screenplay for the Marc Evans film of the same name in 1997. The story has a few notable changes so its well-worth seeing both the film and play. Personally, I prefer the film to the play, but they're both of a very similar dark tone.

[Richard Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh he don’t half know how to mess with your head and twist it does he? Very good, and fascinating final act. Tense!