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Ciphers
A smart and provocative thriller about spies, double agents, and the opaqueness of the human soul.
A young woman is found dead. Her sister sets out to find out what happened - and stumbles into a world of secrets and subterfuge that makes her question who Justine really was. How well can you ever know someone who lies for a living?
An Out of Joint, the Bush Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre co-production, Ciphers premiered at the Exeter Northcott Theatre in October 2013, directed by Blanche McIntyre, before embarking on a UK tour.
"An ingenious spy thriller... echoes of le Carré... the work of a natural dramatist who knows how to generate suspense." - Guardian
"Intelligent and stylish... absorbing." - The Times
Dawn King is an award-winning writer who works in theatre, radio and film. She is a member of the BBC Writersroom 10, and Playwright in Residence at the Finborough Theatre. Her play Foxfinder was the winner of the 2011 Papatango New Writing Competition; its subsequent production at the Finborough Theatre won her Most Promising Playwright at the 2012 Off-West End Awards, and was nominated for the James Tait Black Prizes' drama award.
A young woman is found dead. Her sister sets out to find out what happened - and stumbles into a world of secrets and subterfuge that makes her question who Justine really was. How well can you ever know someone who lies for a living?
An Out of Joint, the Bush Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre co-production, Ciphers premiered at the Exeter Northcott Theatre in October 2013, directed by Blanche McIntyre, before embarking on a UK tour.
"An ingenious spy thriller... echoes of le Carré... the work of a natural dramatist who knows how to generate suspense." - Guardian
"Intelligent and stylish... absorbing." - The Times
Dawn King is an award-winning writer who works in theatre, radio and film. She is a member of the BBC Writersroom 10, and Playwright in Residence at the Finborough Theatre. Her play Foxfinder was the winner of the 2011 Papatango New Writing Competition; its subsequent production at the Finborough Theatre won her Most Promising Playwright at the 2012 Off-West End Awards, and was nominated for the James Tait Black Prizes' drama award.
- GenresPlays
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 8, 2016
Spy thrillers are not a common item on stage, so kudos to King for trying an unexpected genre. However, the mystery is not very involving, and I question whether the double casting is a good idea (there are 8, with 4 actors each portraying two of them).
June 15, 2015
Seen on stage -damn, without the "translated" parts in russian, punjabi etc., but...- it runs very well
The double role it's a good idea, especially for the female protagonist
The double role it's a good idea, especially for the female protagonist
October 9, 2017
Well hello there theater thriller. Where have you been all this time? It's quite refreshing to discover other genres besides dramas & comedies for the stage. Would love to translate it!
December 20, 2023
Another well written clever piece which tries hard to subvert your assumptions but my questions would be
What are we learning that we don't already see on TV.
Why is this theatre not TV drama?
What are we learning that we don't already see on TV.
Why is this theatre not TV drama?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews