Rust

by Kenny Emson

Rule number We don't talk about them. Not here. They don't exist here.Nadia and Daniel have a secret. In fact they have quite a few. They've just signed on the dotted line for a studio flat. Under a pseudonym, naturally – Mr and Mrs White. After years of school pick-ups, TV takeaways, and the day to day drudgery of married life, this is their chance to wipe the slate clean. But as much as they try and redefine the rules, and themselves, the outside world is closing in.Ultra-contemporary, sexy and funny, Kenny Emson's play Rust pushes the boundaries of trust, love and lust to the limit.Rust premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in June 2019.

Genres: Plays

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2019

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up.


Emson is an interesting new playwright, but he has saddled himself with a premise that is so ancient and creaky, it is difficult to bring anything new to it. To whit - we follow a couple who are engaged in an extramarital affair over the course of three years, from its inception to its conclusion. The characters are well-defined, and the dialogue often crackles - but it seems we have just been down this road once too often.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdtAV...
https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-t...
https://www.timeout.com/london/theatr...

[Victoria Claringbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equally funny and sad, this play centres on a couple having an affair at a flat bought specifically for it. Nadia and Daniel in their late 30s are both married to other people, have children but don't want to give each other up. They meet weekly on Mondays over a 3 year period. They fight, shag, cry, bargain and push each other to the limit.

There is plenty of material for duologues here. The characters are complex, flawed and sometimes surprising. Emson is adept at writing punchy dialogue that actors will love to perform. Emson's Plastic is also worth reading.

[Lady Aimée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short. Very sweet, good duologue ideas. Sad ending. Simple and easy, my favourite kind of plays.

[Lindsay Bunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This script is FREAKY, I think it’s interesting to see a situation where two characters are in a romantic relationship despite being married to other people and how commitment is terrifying for the two. It is very humorous tho.

3 stars ⭐️

[Paul Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good little play about a love affair where the characters fight against normality encroaching on their lives. Inevitably it does! Powerful, painful and poignant.