(The Events) [By: Greig, David] [Aug, 2013]

by David Greig

'I have been thinking I might go berserk.'When Claire, a priest, survives an atrocity she sets out on a quest to answer the most difficult question of 'Why?' It's a journey that takes her to the edge of reason, science, politics and faith.David Greig's daring new play explores our destructive desire to fathom the unfathomable and asks how far forgiveness can stretch in the face of brutality.The Events was commissioned and first produced by Actors Touring Company in co-production with the Young Vic Theatre, Schauspielhaus Wein and Brageteatret. It premiered at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, in August 2013.

Genres: Plays, Theatre

Paperback

First published August 15, 2013

About the author

David Greig is a Scottish dramatist. He was born in Edinburgh in 1969 and brought up in Nigeria. He studied drama at Bristol University and is now a well-known writer and director of plays. He has been commissioned by the Royal Court, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and was Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh from 2015 until 2025, when he left to return to writing.

His first play was produced in Glasgow in 1992 and he has written many plays since, produced worldwide. In 1990 he co-founded Suspect Culture Theatre Group with Graham Eatough in Glasgow.

His translations include Camus' Caligula (2003), Candide 2000, and When the Bulbul Stopped Singing, based on a book by Raja Shehadeh. Danmy 306 + Me (4 ever) (1999) is a play written for children.

David Greig's plays include The American Pilot (2005), about America's involvement in the Middle East and Eastern Europe; Pyrenees (2005) about a man who is found in the foothills of the Pyrenees, having lost his memory; and San Diego (2003), a journey through the American dream. His latest works are Gobbo, a modern- day fairytale; Herges Adverntures of Tintin, an adaptation; Yellow Moon (2006); and Damascus (2007)

Reviews

[Rosanna Threakall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for an essay I am writing on theatrical responses to terrorism.

I really enjoyed it, just wish I could see it as I don't think you get the full effect from reading it.

Nevertheless, it's really thought provoking and you're constantly making connections on what's being said. It makes you question your trust both as a reader but also as a human being.

A quote I thought of for my essay was "it tries to make the unfathomable, fathomable."

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love to see this staged - I agree with other reviews that there's a lot to play around with in terms of staging and visualisation of the play.

I don't usually say this, but after reading the ending and drawing different segments of the play together in my mind, I immediately wanted to reread it to try and get even more out of it!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grieg's lack of stage directions make this text very difficult to follow. Need to see it on stage to fully grasp the pieces that fell through the cracks of dialogue.

[ella · Rating 1 out of 5]

The play is just a woman named Claire and a "Boy" talking together and I honnestly did not understand a thing. Oh, there is a choir too. They talk about many things but never deeply. I think it's supposed to be critical of contemporary societies (things as the far-right speech around multicultiralism) but I did not like it because it did not make sense. I like non-sense in literature usually but here it was unsufferable. Maybe my teacher will change my mind eventually but the reading of it was not a great experience.

[Ada · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

És probable que la valoració pugi. He fet una primera lectura ràpida i instintiva. En vindran més, pròximament!

[Mantas Giga · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for "poetry or plays" square for Book Bingo 2019. Also Intiman is doing a production of this next month & I read it for research purposes. Not really my cup of tea.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Greig's play has a lot of important things to stay.
But I found it very difficult to follow.
The alternate universes were very unclear.
And it didn't help that the script had some major typos.
There are quite a few times when lines that are suppose to be given to one character are said by other.
So you can imagine with that AND the alternate universes it was very hard to follow.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much in this. I would love to either see it staged or have a go at staging it. The use of the choir is excellent.

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half stars!