Beautiful Thing

by Mr Jonathan Harvey

"Beautiful Thing" tells of the unlikely romance between Jamie and Ste in a comic portrait of adolescent self-discovery.

Genres: Plays, LGBT, Theatre, Drama, Queer, Gay, Fiction

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Márcio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness! I could give many many stars to Beautiful thing if I could. How nice and interesting to read the play that also resulted in the beautiful and touching and uplifting 1996 movie directed by Hettie MacDonald! This is part of my life, of who I am, simply as that.

Jamie and Ste; Sandra, Jamie's mother; and Leah, their neighbor. They all live in a working-class area of South East London dominated by social housing. Sandra works at a pub and dates Tony. Jamie, her son, is around 16 and does not like football at school. Ste, also around 16, is their neighbor, constantly beaten by his alcoholic father. Leah, also a teen who dreams of stardom and loves Mama Cass.

Jonathan Harvey's characters seem so real. They seem like people we meet on a daily basis, with their dramas and games, their fears and successes, their selfishness and altruism. It is just that many times they are seen from a derogatory perspective on social terms. Thus, there seems to be a lot more concerning the play, for, by means of laughter and tears these characters bring to us, there is a light trying to show how hard these people struggle daily for the least of dignity and to make life possible. And together with it, the importance of Jamie and Ste's sweet love story and the yearning for acceptance, and the fear of society's prejudice and rejection. Amazing play, and it is great to notice that the movie goes hand in hand with it.

Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams, whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like... without it I wouldn't be me.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harvey's play "Beautiful Thing" is over twenty years old (hard to believe) yet it continues in print and staged all over the world. In the nineties it was a breath of fresh air with its youthful optimism given the focus on the toll of AIDS by most gay dramatists of the time. Jonathan Harvey knows how to make his audience laugh, shortly after bringing them to tears, and that makes for a grand theatre experience. If coming out is slightly easier for gay teenagers today in the U.K., there's enough tension and anxiety about being different and angering parents that makes the high drama of "Beautiful Thing" still resonate. In short, it hasn't aged a bit. (The Harvey screenplay to the film version was published separately and is loyal to the play with the main difference having short scenes opening up the life of the boys outside of their apartment block.) In both formats Cass Elliot's great voice continues to remind the audience "It's Getting Better." Recommended.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book every praise possible but I must admit that it is somewhat dishonest because although I have seen the play performed and watched the film made from the play (many times) I haven't read the text. Does seeing a play performed count? I don't know but this is a wonderful play and the film was wonderful so I am including it. Personally if at all possible I believe plays should be performed and seen by an audience. A play that is only read is only half known. But if you can't see the play, or in this case the really marvellously faithful film, then reading the text is not to be sniffed at. I loved this play so much I can't help including it amongst my other favorites.

[Emy Custódio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just -

I can't even say it.

Ste and Jamie are just everything <3

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful story about a gay love affair between two young teenagers on a London council estate. The language is funny, realistic and romantic and the characters are believable, all of them, which is what makes this play so compelling to read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Qué bonito es el amor limpio y sincero!.

[Corey Terrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything and more. Brilliantly written, full of heart and gorgeous characters you care about instantly. A classic play. I loved it.

[Roof Beam Reader (Adam) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, where has this play been hiding all my life!? I'm so embarrassed. Worth the wait/discovery, though. Now to watch the film adaptation!

[Precociousp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring Jonathan Harvey's original script for "Beautiful Thing" was a true delight. For those unfamiliar with London slang, this companion piece serves as a valuable aid in understanding the language nuances present in the play's cinematic adaptation. At its core, the story is a simple yet profound tale of love. What sets it apart is the rawness and humanity imbued in its characters, making them deeply relatable. Sandra, a single mother, grapples with the everyday struggles of parenthood while fiercely protecting her family. Ste, seeking refuge from an abusive father, finds himself with few viable options. Through their journey, we witness the transformative power of love, imbuing the narrative with a profound sense of beauty, thus justifying its apt title, 'Beautiful Thing'.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this for school and finished it a few days ago. lowkey forgot about this. i feel like the plot had potential but like with a lot of other plays i've read, the romance felt a little rush. i get it, no time for a slowburn when you only have like 2 hours on stage but yeah. plays aren't my fav but it was short and entertaining so for a required reading book it was fine.

[Zim · Rating 5 out of 5]

'You're on your own when you're swimming. You can't think about nothing else. Just the strokes, and where you are in the pool. Up and down. Up and down...'

It was as good as the movie. I love it! I finished this book with its stage play adaptation as my audiobook. The play: https://youtu.be/ESa-HFz_ty4?si=SV1Zd...

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

**uni read - britain modern stage**
this play explores a number of hard hitting issues, including homophobia and abuse to children/young adults. the way these are addressed allows audiences to see the impact they can have on identity and how people see themselves. an incredibly well written play.

[Cervo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy did I reaaaaaally had to read and analyze this one. I really liked it, even if I wasn't completely in love with everything that happened, and the fact that is a VERY focused play in a reality that it's not mine, I appreciated the things that presented and the overall feeling of the story.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Madeleine Rose Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody gorgeous

[beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this and had a really beautiful ending

[Gaël Sauvajon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen the play 3 weeks ago and the movie for the first time when I was 16 with my mum: both are masterpieces! So nice to see the script of my favourite coming (out) of age story! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jarkko T · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Ian Nabi Ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking standing ovation, beautiful thing indeed

[Keith Astbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly impressed, though it did get better x

[Bleu · Rating 2 out of 5]

the Leah character is so annoying , 2.5 could be 3.5 without her

[James Routledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little play

[Dawn Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very innocent sweet novel of first love and romance. The romance is between two friends who become lovers. By their actions they discover they are gay. The community like most have different views. But ultimately the boys find they do have some support. And more importantly they have each other. I don't read much gay romance actually this is the 2nd book I've read in this genre. As a straight married female I didn't feel it would appeal. But I guess love is love. In order to understand others without prejudice we need to look at our differences acknowledge those and grow beyond. Congratulations Jonathan on a great book.

[Dan James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great play with a very relatable story. It is often described as an 'urban fairy tale', and this couldn't be more true. You can't help but want for Jamie and Ste to live happily ever after. Also what gay persons life is complete without a hot mess of heterosexual female friend. My only issue with it was that the quick pace sometimes got a little confused. I found some of the characters voices a bit too similar, an issue I'm sure will become a non issue, when I eventually see this live.

[Helen Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read & reread this stunning play. Beautiful story, amazing but flawed characters & one of my ambitions is still to play Sandra in a stage version!

[Ifrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completely forgot how short plays are.

[Paige (TheBookVulture) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite stage shows and films. Absolutely beautiful.

[EJ Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read each of characters' way of the behaviour. I actually enjoyed to reading this.