Synopses & Reviews
Stockport 1988-2002. Rachel Keats is growing up in town she doesn't like. Abandoned by her mother, her family life is torn to tatters as she is left to bring up her younger brother, who, increasingly is drawn to the excitement out on the streets. When her new partner starts to abuse her, and those she loves leave her behind, will she stay or will she find the strength to make her own way in the world?
Praise for Herons: "filled with a sense of life's miraculous potential. It deals with damaged characters yet is imbued with a poetic lyricism" (Guardian)
Port is published to tie in with the production at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester in November 2002.
Simon Stephens is presently writer-in-residence at the Royal Court Theatre, London.
Review
"A major new voice in British theatre."—
Scotsman
Synopsis
I see you in the morning, on the first morning I stayed over at your house. Waking up. Watching you lying asleep next to me. You looked, you looked. It was like. I think about that more than you probably think I do.
Stockport 1988-2002. Racheal Keats is growing up in a town she doesn't like with a family in tatters and a future she cannot picture. As those she loves begin to let her down or leave her behind, can Rachel find the strength to make her own way in the world?
Port premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in November 2002. It was later staged in the Lyttelton at the National Theatre, opening in January 2013. Both productions were by Marianne Elliott.
About the Author
Simon Stephens' first play "Bluebird" was produced at the Royal Court, London, in 1998. His next, "Herons", was nominated for the Olivier Award for most promising playwright, and "Port" was awarded the Pearson award for Best New Plays in 2002. He is currently writer-in-residence at the Royal Court Theater, London.