Kenneth Lonergan: Three Plays

by Kenneth Lonergan

Described as 'America's greatest living playwright' (Wall Street Journal), Kenneth Lonergan is internationally acclaimed for his trademark humour and his genius for capturing the real heart and soul of human interactions. This volume gathers together three of his landmark plays.

This Is Our Youth (1996) is a wildly funny, bittersweet and lacerating look at three days in the lives of three affluent young Manhattanites in the 1980s. Its West End premiere in 2002 was notable for its successive casts of young Hollywood stars, including Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Paquin and Summer Phoenix. 'A rambunctious and witty play… caustic, cruel, compassionate' The New York Times.

The Waverly Gallery (1999) is a poignant, generous and frequently hilarious play about a feisty grandmother's last battle against Alzheimer's disease. More than a memory play, it captures the humour and strength of a family in the face of crisis. It was a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and revived on Broadway in 2018 to widespread acclaim. 'Both one of the most beautiful things you'll ever see in a Broadway theatre and one of the most profoundly sad' Chicago Tribune.

Lobby Hero (2001) tells the story of a luckless young security guard trying to get his life together after being thrown out of the navy. But working in a lobby proves to be no sanctuary from the world, as he is unwittingly drawn into a murder investigation. The play received its British premiere at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in 2002, and was also revived on Broadway in 2018. 'Artfully intertwines private and public issues… [Lonergan] has the lightest of touches and writes with deft humour' Guardian.

Kenneth Lonergan is an American film director, playwright and screenwriter. He wrote and directed the films You Can Count On Me, Margaret and Manchester by the Sea, for which he won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. This collection, published alongside the UK premiere of Lonergan's The Starry Messenger in 2019, also features an exclusive introduction by the author.

'Lonergan's ear for the crosscurrents of love and recrimination, of accusation and confession, is as fine as that of any American dramatist' Washington Post

Genres: Plays

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2019

Reviews

[Ché Tligui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three very different but very moving and poignant accounts of domestic life.

This is our Youth being the coming of age narrative, so Greek so magic. Two scenes. One room . 3 characters. That’s all.

The Waverley Gallery really asking that question of how do we deal with dementia how sad it is and how selfish it makes us sometimes.

Lobby Hero is quite a remarkable feat. Posing so many questions of morality and justice and if the two can co-exist.

Overall I love Lonergan’s arguments between characters, these debates emerge out of nowhere but showcase brilliantly a characters psyche without overbearing and feeling expositional.

Give him a read, thoroughly worth it.

[Eric M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
Lobby Hero was my favorite.
Had a “What Would You Do” vibe.

[Douglas Yannaghas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Our Youth was probably my favourite out of this collection. Kenneth Lonergan's work is purposefully messy and life-like, using overlapping dialogue he builds tense, pressure-cooker scenes with funny and flawed characters who speak with real voices.

[Santiago Guerra Arrangóiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kenneth Lonergan’s ability to convey so much in dialogue: these characters came alive from the page and I would believe them as true people on stage. While I was particularly more interested in the first and third play, I would have to applaud him for his wonderful work of character and plot. I think the time constrictions help the aforementioned better plays have more momentum. Yet all were wonderful texts.

[Harry McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have a new favourite playwright. These are beautifully written and beautifully wrought plays, with characters drawn so carefully and dialogue that feels so natural while holding a distinct voice.

This is Our Youth: 4.5/5 - naaaaaah why aren't we reviving this every five minutes. Why isn't every actor from Sex Education and Heartstopper doing a 6-week stint in this. Easy money.

The Waverly Gallery - 4/5: Devastating stuff. I'd kill to have seen Lucas Hedges do it.

Lobby Hero: 4/5 - a talky play that slowly and then suddenly reveals all its contradictions and complexity.

[Calvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be SO FUN to act but idk how I feel about it as an audience member

[sadie5761 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Is Our Youth- 3.5/5 probably very fun to act, reading it was just OK though.
The Waverly Gallery- 5/5 so so so devastating and one of the best plays I’ve read. I’m so sad my dad got to see this on broadway with Lucas Hedges and Elaine May, but I didn’t go cuz I was 10. I desperately wish I could’ve seen it with that cast now.
Lobby Hero- 4/5 or 4.5/5 very fun, fast, and engaging.