Leaves

by Lucy Caldwell

We are where we come from' That's not true. That's not true because if that's true there's no hope for any of us.Lori is coming home from her first term at university. It's only been a few weeks and already things have gone badly wrong. But none of the rest of the family knows, or understands, what really happened.In this fiercely observed family drama, three teenage girls struggle to define who they are, and why, and where they might be going.Leaves won the George Devine Award 2006, the premier award for new writing by an emerging playwright in the UK and Ireland. The play opened at the Druid Theatre, Galway in March 2007 before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Genres: Plays, Drama

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Iris]

This is haunting, beautiful and moving. It is a play which really resonates with me; an incredibly realistic portrayal of the complexities of family life and struggles faced.

[maxine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dialogue was realistic but there was literally no conflict

[Amy Darton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lori goes away to university but returns 3 months later after a suicide attempt.
We spend time with her two little sisters and parents as they await her return.

Beautiful discussions and questions about how to cope with a person with broken spirit. How can you nurse someone to health who isn’t willing to be healed.
How do you understand as a younger person who still has so much thrill for life.

Gorgeous questions that don’t need to be answered or understood but perfectly sympathised with. Really moving.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this, it nearly made my cry on the train but other than that it was good! not sure about the semi ambiguous ending but I guess the actor playing lori would really change what you take away from the end of act 2 and your impression of what might happen. no monolouges for me to do thought :(

[Lucy like book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entering my play-reading-era as uni readings ramp up. This one is slightly boring yet authentic and thoughtful. My fav part -
Dad: shall we light a fire in here then, eh?
Poppy: you can’t light fires, Dad. The ozone layer.

[Patrícia Gonçalves]

(read for school)

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Felt so personal and wow, yes I have no words!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am actually literally crying right now. an unassuming capture of the feral, bitter anger one only experiences towards those they need to love and be loved by most.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

McClay Library - QUB

[Angelique · Rating 2 out of 5]

What exactly happens in this play, really? Where is the character development? I gave it two stars instead of one, because I felt like there was some truth in the way the family dealt with each other, but really couldn't care about any of them. I felt more time should have been spent in the why Lori tried to kill herself. But perhaps that's the point. Couldn't envision it being staged or being interesting. It is, however, well written.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://wp.me/sGVzJ-leaves

An interesting and engaging play with some flaws and rough patches - it's just a tick above average but not quite great. I think it'd be quite something if staged well and I'd like to direct it someday... but for now, the reading made is simply a little-better-than-normal.

[William Cartier · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those plays that is better on the stage then the page.

[Kaylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggered.

[Charlotte]

stunning characterisation, haunting family story. loved this a lot.