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Herons
"A major new voice in British theatre" (Scotsman)
Set around Limehouse Cut and the Lee River in East London, Herons is the disturbing and moving story of fourteen-year-old Billy, whose life has been made a misery by his father's actions. As the teenagers that surround him on the estate step up their campaign of bullying, the play escalates to a violent climax. Commissioned by the Royal Court, Herons premiered there on 18 May 2001.
Set around Limehouse Cut and the Lee River in East London, Herons is the disturbing and moving story of fourteen-year-old Billy, whose life has been made a misery by his father's actions. As the teenagers that surround him on the estate step up their campaign of bullying, the play escalates to a violent climax. Commissioned by the Royal Court, Herons premiered there on 18 May 2001.
- GenresPlays
100 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2001
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 1, 2024
Yeah that’s more like it Simon!
May 3, 2022
I couldn't disagree with the other review here more. The play shows a lot of compassion for the bullies even, revealing in the final scene—as well as hints throughout coming from his former girlfriend, Adele—that Scott is terrified and putting on a performance that he's tough. Rather than dehumanising the lower working classes, it shows the naturalistic tenancy that societal forces and, ultimately, nurture are key factors in an individual's development. We see cycles of abuse being perpetuated, again and again. The anal rape is not a public school conceit, but an ultimate expression of violence, coming about from Scott's horrific trauma and poor treatment by his brother and father. He feels powerless, inert. This does not excuse his actions at all, but perhaps ultimately we see that Billy has interrupted this cycle of violence, ironically through the suggestion of violence which he never consumates. A very powerful play.
December 21, 2016
Solidly in the prolesploitation genre dating back to Edward Bond's "Saved." The fascination with anal rape seems more the product of the public schools than of social reality. Theatre that may actually make those who watch it less sympathetic for other classes.
December 10, 2022
Read this for my course. Captivating, heartbreaking and thought-provoking. I still feel such an attachment to Adele and such empathy for Billy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews