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Beautiful Thing
Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother.
One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie's flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie's lioness mother, Sandra.
Thirty years on from its initial publication, Jonathan Harvey's iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties still resonates with ideas on community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be sixteen and in love.
This edition is published to coincide with the revival at London's Stratford East theatre, in September, 2023.
One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie's flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie's lioness mother, Sandra.
Thirty years on from its initial publication, Jonathan Harvey's iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties still resonates with ideas on community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be sixteen and in love.
This edition is published to coincide with the revival at London's Stratford East theatre, in September, 2023.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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809 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Harvey
79 books78 followersHarvey was born in Liverpool in 1968. He has a brother, Timothy Harvey who is a music teacher in Chester. His first serious attempt as a playwright was in 1987. Fuelled by the attraction of a £1,000 first prize to young writers from the Liverpool Playhouse, the result was The Cherry Blossom Tree, a garish blend of suicide, murder and nuns. This effort won him the National Girobank Young Writer of the Year Award.
Feeling very encouraged, he went on to write Mohair (1988), Wildfire (1992) and Babies (1993), the latter winning him the 'George Devine Award' for that year and The Evening Standard's 'Most Promising Playwright Award' for 1994. In 1993, Harvey, premiered Beautiful Thing, a gay-themed play-turned-movie for which he won the prestigious 'John Whiting Award' the following year.
1995 saw the premiere of Boom Bang-a-Bang, at the Bush Theatre, London, originally directed by Kathy Burke. Harvey cites it as "my most comic play ever, but with some dark bits". Centred on a group of friends gathering to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, the play was a sell-out. That same year, he also premiered Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. Guiding Star (1998), is a portrayal of one man's struggle to come to terms with the Hillsborough FA Cup Semi-Final disaster, while Hushabye Mountain (1999) deals with a world that has learned to live with HIV/AIDS. Television and film works include: West End Girls (Carlton); Love Junkie (BBC); Beautiful Thing (Channel Four/Island World Productions); the 1999-2001 hit/cult comedy series starring Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus, Gimme Gimme Gimme (Tiger Aspect); Murder Most Horrid (BBC); and Coronation Street (ITV).
He also wrote the book for Closer to Heaven, a stage musical with songs and music written by Pet Shop Boys. Closer to Heaven ran for nine months at the Arts Theatre in London during 2001 and in Australia in 2005. In 2003 Harvey heard the singer-actress Abi Roberts perform and was so enchanted he offered to write a solo show especially for her. Taking Charlie was the outcome, staged at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival with Roberts starring, under the direction of Susan Tully. The piece was darkly comic and focused on the destructive nature of an insecure, 30-year-old addict.
Harvey is a patron of London-based HIV charity The Food Chain and a patron of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. His first novel All She Wants was published in 2012 by Pan Books
Feeling very encouraged, he went on to write Mohair (1988), Wildfire (1992) and Babies (1993), the latter winning him the 'George Devine Award' for that year and The Evening Standard's 'Most Promising Playwright Award' for 1994. In 1993, Harvey, premiered Beautiful Thing, a gay-themed play-turned-movie for which he won the prestigious 'John Whiting Award' the following year.
1995 saw the premiere of Boom Bang-a-Bang, at the Bush Theatre, London, originally directed by Kathy Burke. Harvey cites it as "my most comic play ever, but with some dark bits". Centred on a group of friends gathering to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, the play was a sell-out. That same year, he also premiered Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. Guiding Star (1998), is a portrayal of one man's struggle to come to terms with the Hillsborough FA Cup Semi-Final disaster, while Hushabye Mountain (1999) deals with a world that has learned to live with HIV/AIDS. Television and film works include: West End Girls (Carlton); Love Junkie (BBC); Beautiful Thing (Channel Four/Island World Productions); the 1999-2001 hit/cult comedy series starring Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus, Gimme Gimme Gimme (Tiger Aspect); Murder Most Horrid (BBC); and Coronation Street (ITV).
He also wrote the book for Closer to Heaven, a stage musical with songs and music written by Pet Shop Boys. Closer to Heaven ran for nine months at the Arts Theatre in London during 2001 and in Australia in 2005. In 2003 Harvey heard the singer-actress Abi Roberts perform and was so enchanted he offered to write a solo show especially for her. Taking Charlie was the outcome, staged at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival with Roberts starring, under the direction of Susan Tully. The piece was darkly comic and focused on the destructive nature of an insecure, 30-year-old addict.
Harvey is a patron of London-based HIV charity The Food Chain and a patron of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. His first novel All She Wants was published in 2012 by Pan Books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 31, 2023
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
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
July 16, 2015
It's like... without it I wouldn't be me.
September 7, 2015
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.
May 15, 2023
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.
October 14, 2021
I just -
I can't even say it.
Ste and Jamie are just everything <3
I can't even say it.
Ste and Jamie are just everything <3
August 1, 2013
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.
June 29, 2018
¡Qué bonito es el amor limpio y sincero!.
June 30, 2020
This is everything and more. Brilliantly written, full of heart and gorgeous characters you care about instantly. A classic play. I loved it.
March 25, 2021
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!
April 2, 2024
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'.
February 7, 2023
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.
August 6, 2025
'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...
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...
October 21, 2020
**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.
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.
January 26, 2022
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.
March 19, 2021
3.5 stars
August 22, 2022
Bloody gorgeous
March 6, 2023
enjoyed this and had a really beautiful ending
October 19, 2023
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! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎
May 8, 2024
Fucking standing ovation, beautiful thing indeed
October 6, 2024
I wasn't particularly impressed, though it did get better x
July 11, 2025
the Leah character is so annoying , 2.5 could be 3.5 without her
November 27, 2020
Lovely little play
November 3, 2014
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.
January 2, 2014
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.
February 26, 2015
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!
August 21, 2016
I completely forgot how short plays are.
November 28, 2014
One of my favourite stage shows and films. Absolutely beautiful.
April 18, 2016
Interesting to read each of characters' way of the behaviour. I actually enjoyed to reading this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews