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Wastwater and T5
"You make one decision. It stays with you. It's like the consequences of it get into your bones."
Set on the edges of Heathrow Airport, Wastwater is an elliptical triptych - a snapshot of three different couples who make a choice that will define the fallout of their future.
Harry is on the point of leaving England. Frieda knows she will never see him again. Lisa and Mark are on the point of a sexual betrayal that takes them into a place darker than they ever thought possible. Sian has a terrifying deal for Jonathan. She isn't going to take no for an answer.
A reflective piece by a playwright at the height of his powers and career, Wastwater mimics the flexible and innovative form of Stephens' hit play Pornography: with three overlapping but detachable parts which can be split and played in differing orders. The play contains Stephens' trademark combination of sensitive character depiction and tough confrontation with political choices. Wastwater is a meditative morality tale and a portrayal of modern-day relationships, formed and deformed by fatal decisions, inevitable consequences and fragile connections.
This volume also contains the monologue T5, which was originally written to be part of Wastwater. It portrays a road trip below the heart of London and follows a darkly magical flight out of the edges of the 21st Century.
Set on the edges of Heathrow Airport, Wastwater is an elliptical triptych - a snapshot of three different couples who make a choice that will define the fallout of their future.
Harry is on the point of leaving England. Frieda knows she will never see him again. Lisa and Mark are on the point of a sexual betrayal that takes them into a place darker than they ever thought possible. Sian has a terrifying deal for Jonathan. She isn't going to take no for an answer.
A reflective piece by a playwright at the height of his powers and career, Wastwater mimics the flexible and innovative form of Stephens' hit play Pornography: with three overlapping but detachable parts which can be split and played in differing orders. The play contains Stephens' trademark combination of sensitive character depiction and tough confrontation with political choices. Wastwater is a meditative morality tale and a portrayal of modern-day relationships, formed and deformed by fatal decisions, inevitable consequences and fragile connections.
This volume also contains the monologue T5, which was originally written to be part of Wastwater. It portrays a road trip below the heart of London and follows a darkly magical flight out of the edges of the 21st Century.
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 21, 2019
Wastwater is a triptych of scenes, each slightly more unnerving than the last, all concerned in some way with how Heathrow has crept into the fabric of the English physical landscape. They are linked, but I'm not sure it's their cyclical effect that is most interesting. It has a queasy sort of momentum to it that I really like.
Even more unnervingly, in the monologue that accompanies the play, T5, Stephens name-checks not one but TWO streets I have lived on in the east end. I'm now even more surprised I've never seen him out in the wild.
Even more unnervingly, in the monologue that accompanies the play, T5, Stephens name-checks not one but TWO streets I have lived on in the east end. I'm now even more surprised I've never seen him out in the wild.
November 11, 2017
Both plays are extremely well written.
However, after reading these and, earlier, "Punk Rock," I am beginning to question whether his use of violence is, to my way of thinking, in the service of art or rather of sensationalism/shock value or, finally, nihilism.
Stephens's admirers talk of the "speck of Hope" that is usually present in his dark visions.
I don't see it.
However, after reading these and, earlier, "Punk Rock," I am beginning to question whether his use of violence is, to my way of thinking, in the service of art or rather of sensationalism/shock value or, finally, nihilism.
Stephens's admirers talk of the "speck of Hope" that is usually present in his dark visions.
I don't see it.
March 20, 2022
Classic Simon Stephens. Simplicity and carefully written words that seem to be so gentle. Reading this was easy and it fun to make connections between the different scenes. I felt the themes of growing up and grief were introduced wonderfully throughout the play.
February 13, 2021
Another impressive play that offers several perspectives on ecocriticism and the climate change. It is in fact a vast field in science.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews