In the library of a grammar school, seven sixth-formers are preparing for their mock-A Levels and nearing the end of their school lives. Soon Manchester will be a thing of the past, soon there will be new friends and new enemies.  When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up, there’s danger all around in this world premiere of Simon Stephens’ URGENT and SHATTERING new play.

Reviews from Lyric Hammersmith

”* * * *REMARKABLE - RIVETING TO WATCH AND SUPERBLY ACTED – IMPECCABLE  ‘ The Guardian

'* * * * The cast throughout are quite exceptional, for which credit should go to the director, Sarah Frankcom, as well as the terrific young actors...This is an absolutely sincere and powerful play, dramatically controlled, exhaustingly tense and beautifully characterised and acted'.

The Sunday Times

 ‘Tremendous - a THRILLING evening * * * * * ‘ whatsonstage.com

 ‘* * * * SUPERBLY ACTED’ The Times

 ‘* * * * POWERFUL AND COMPELLING’ The Independent

'Intriguing and daring..offers a thrilling wealth of youthful acting talent' Independent on Sunday

'Confirms Simon Stephens as one of the most importatn and exciting British playwrights working today' Variety

'Riveting - a dynamic and engrossing new work' Daily Express

Visit the PUNK ROCK interactive site to find out more about the cast and characters and for interviews with the director and writer - punkrocked.co.uk                               

Simon Stephens is one of the most significant and exciting playwrights working today.  His play PORNOGRAPHY has just finished a run at London’s Tricycle Theatre (Best New Play award - 2009 Critics’ Awards For Theatre In Scotland) and SEA WALL at the Traverse was one of the most acclaimed productions at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.  His long and productive relationship with the Exchange began in 2002 with PORT (Pearson Award for Best Play) and continued with ON THE SHORE OF THE WIDE WORLD – directed by Sarah Frankcom, co-commissioned by the Exchange and the National Theatre, which went on to win the Olivier Award for Best New play 2005.  His subsequent work includes MOTORTOWN, (Royal Court 2006), for which he was voted Best Foreign Playwright of 2007 by Theater Heute, PORNOGRAPHY, (Hamburg 2007, Traverse & The Tricycle, and subsequently invited to the Berlin Theatertreffen),and HARPER REGAN at the National Theatre.  

Cast:
Nicholas Bank

Henry Lloyd Hughes
Harry McEntire
Jessica Raine
Tom Sturridge

Emma Warburton
Katie West
Simon Wolfe
Sophie Wu                                                                            

THINK...

HISTORY BOYS meets THE CATCHER IN THE RYE.