Bound

by Jesse Briton

A tragedy of maritime decline, Bound follows the fortunes of six trawlermen from Devon as they embark on one final voyage. Compelled by the threat of bankruptcy, the ageing fishing trawler The Violet is forced out into treacherous weather. Risking storms, friendships and relationships ashore, will the crew lose more than a way of life?

Genres: Plays

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2012

Reviews

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If the history of this job is built on anything, then it’s the hundreds of men, sons, fathers and brothers that have risked for each other out there. We take that risk every time we come out. That’s the difference. Some of us had a choice to be here, others didn’t. Life’s shit like that. But I’ll tell you something else, life’s a lot shitter for a group of men no different from ourselves, no different from you, that are out there, alone, in the swell. These men will cry and scream for help. No different from you. And when none comes the water will fill their lungs. No different than yours. And when they scream, they’re screaming at you. Now, if you want to turn, you turn your back on everything that you’ve been holding on to out here in this job, because all it is, is them."

I would love to see it live/on stage. I read this pretty quickly in one sitting as I'd recommend anyone to; and it left me breathless - but in a good way . I can't imagine how it's like for the men - to be doing work like that, but reading this was like getting a very small glimpse of it all . It reminds me of a photography exhibition that I went to a couple years ago (showing photographs of the faces and hands of boat workers/trawlers). It also reminded me of the lads at my favourite place to buy fish in LDN. I think the play was very cleverly written; and structured/composed so well even though it was fast-paced and action-packed. Also, I particularly enjoyed the ending; I truly didn't expect the play to end like that.

[Chris Jordan Downes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well portrayed insight into an oft-forgotten industry.

[Alex]

We went to see a production of Bound in Exeter in 2011 I think, and recently I've decided to find and read the scripts for plays I've enjoyed. The electricity of this script comes in the juxtaposition of the everyday petty conversation and the haunting music, which hints at the enormous stakes the characters are actually facing. As a playwright so much trust gets put in the production to see that and show it to an audience. The temptation must be so strong to add more weight to the dialogue, but it's the lightness that gives weight to the conclusion, and the music that hints at the weight of the profession they're all putting out of their minds. I had to make a little Spotify playlist to remember that power, but it was worth it. The Last Leviathan especially, stayed with us for years after.