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Eight
Eight captivating monologues that offer a group-portrait of diverse characters. From high-class hookers to 7/7 survivors these monologues paint a revelatory picture of Britain as it is today. After rave reviews at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and in New York, "Eight" opened in London's West End in July 2009.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 2, 2021
2.5, rounded up.
Obviously modeled on Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, a series of monologues for millennials, this was Hickson's first foray into the dramaturgical realm - and it kinda shows. They aren't BAD, per se, but betray a certain lack of polish, and aren't as innovative or as shocking as I think she intends them to be. Still, some nice monologue material for budding actors.
Obviously modeled on Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, a series of monologues for millennials, this was Hickson's first foray into the dramaturgical realm - and it kinda shows. They aren't BAD, per se, but betray a certain lack of polish, and aren't as innovative or as shocking as I think she intends them to be. Still, some nice monologue material for budding actors.
November 12, 2023
it was a pretty solid group of monolouges until the extra one at the end, which was just really weird. a little gross and unneeded, but oh well!
*read for LAMDA*
*read for LAMDA*
January 29, 2025
Each of these 8 vignettes sucks you into that character's world and you become part of their journey. I'm in awe at how much Hickson packs into these tiny moments. Many of these monologues are explicitly about guilt and how we cope with it. So many interesting scenarios about how guilt can consume us or how we can choose to toss it away! how does the guilt fit into the monologues where it isn't obvious, or does it have a place there at all?
Seeing this neat in the original way Hickson wanted it performed, where the audience blindly votes on which monologues get performed would be a treat! I read this bc I need a monologue for an audition and I really love some of the options in here.
Seeing this neat in the original way Hickson wanted it performed, where the audience blindly votes on which monologues get performed would be a treat! I read this bc I need a monologue for an audition and I really love some of the options in here.
July 11, 2024
For the next play in my drama group, we have chosen Eight, with me being the director of Danny.
Most of the monologues are the same depressing and monotonous tone; however ones like Danny and Andre have some great dry humour and jokes in it lol.
Most of the monologues are the same depressing and monotonous tone; however ones like Danny and Andre have some great dry humour and jokes in it lol.
August 12, 2016
The monologues are, for the most part, really terrific. I just wish there was something about the piece that wrapped them together some way.
February 10, 2021
An array of monologues that explores "growing up in a world in which the central value system is based on an ethic of commercial, aesthetic and sexual excess". An insight into the views and lives of young adults that try to believe in not only themselves, but the ever-changing world around them as they try to adjust and evaluate the times. I liked some of the monologues, others I did not.
February 29, 2024
A nice collection of monologues. They don’t really knit together as a play, but I get the vision. Some monologues are 5 star! And some more like 2 star, so overall I kind of averaged the rating. Interesting read!
December 31, 2024
An interesting group of monologues. A real mix! Some really resonated with me, others not so much. I thought the writing was solid, especially for someone making their dramaturgy debut, but I felt like it lacked coherence/cohesion.
January 26, 2021
So funny and with cultural, political and dark themes. Loved it!
September 18, 2014
E.I.G.H.T. stories. E.I.G.H.T. characters.
Each character has been wrote with a unique voice. A fresh story and fascinating endings.
It was fresh, unique, and would be good for educational purposes.
There wasn't anything that gripped me, that made me want to read till the end. So, my rating for this book has to be 1/5
Each character has been wrote with a unique voice. A fresh story and fascinating endings.
It was fresh, unique, and would be good for educational purposes.
There wasn't anything that gripped me, that made me want to read till the end. So, my rating for this book has to be 1/5
January 7, 2013
I read this collection of Monologues in the hope of finding something suitable for members of a rather eclectic AS level class to perform. It was shocking and enthralling...
The darker sides of the human psyche exposed for a waiting audience. I really want to see each of them performed.
The darker sides of the human psyche exposed for a waiting audience. I really want to see each of them performed.
June 10, 2014
A stunning collection of raw and interesting characters.
After more than one monologue, I was sobbing, and I was almost always thinking about the character's story the following day.
It definitely is written to be performed.
After more than one monologue, I was sobbing, and I was almost always thinking about the character's story the following day.
It definitely is written to be performed.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews