[BLANK]

by Alice Birch

[ BLANK ] is one of ten new plays commissioned for National Theatre Connections in 2018. This play is a cocommission by Clean Break Theatre Company and National
Theatre Connections.

As part of her research process, Alice Birch undertook a week’s residency at the former Holloway Women’s Prison. From spending time with the women there, Alice was struck by the impact the criminal justice system had on families and how, often, children are the silent victims of crime.

[ BLANK ] isn’t simply a playtext, but a theatrical provocation; a blueprint from which theatre-makers can shape their own narratives and build their own productions. Indeed, no two versions of [ BLANK ] are ever likely to be the same, yet every single production will have an indelible bond with the next.

This text contains the script for [ BLANK ] along with imaginative production notes and exercises and a short introduction to the writing process by Alice Birch.

Connections is supported by The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Buffini Chao Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, Peter Cundill Foundation, Mactaggart Third Fund, The EBM Charitable Trust, Samantha and Richard Campbell-Breeden, The Garvey Family Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, Anthony P. Skyrme, The Derrill Allatt Foundation, Hays Travel Foundation, Faithorn Farrell Timms and supporters of the Connections Appeal.

The National Theatre’s Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Includes forewords by Bryony Kimmings (Performance Artist) and Joanne Majauskis (Safer Places).

Genres: Plays

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[edward clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

super torn about this one

- if somebody put this on i would definitely see it - i think that the different scenes do have strong thematic links which could allow them to be drawn together. i also really like alice birch's writing style and the subject matter which she is writing about here.
- that being said, i think that as a 100 scene long compilation this sort of falls flat for a reader because there is nothing to tie it together. it's like 100 short stories but going through it's essentially impossible to imagine imagined characters linking each scene because they couldn't all fit into one story.
- three stars because i'm glad i read it and maybe i'll check out some other alice birch stuff because i liked her style.

[Joel Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible collection of scenes that all feel intimately connected and yet could follow completely different people. It is very long, but if you get the chance to read the whole thing I would definitely recommend

[anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like love and information you're going to love this.

Fave Scenes:
Work
Doll
Waiting
Pink Lemonade
Smiley Face
Pregnant
Carrier Bags
Queue
Prom
Blue
Leisure Center
Love
Car
Coffee
Salt
McDonald's
Application

[Aleigha · Rating 4 out of 5]

STRUCTURE!!!!

[Siouxsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough, emotional read. I can imagine how powerful it must be in performance.

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Alice Birch play. Intelligent, intricate and so so powerful. That last scene though, mind blown!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would LOVE to stage this one day!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply fantastic. More than deserving of five stars. I just bloody wish I got to see it at the Donmar :((