CORRESPONDENCE by Lucinda Burnett
Spring 2011. Kate and Wills tie the knot whilst Syrian teenagers are tortured for anti-government graffiti. Ben is 16, and his only friends have disappeared from Xbox Live. He thinks they're mixed up in the protests in Syria - and he'll risk everything on a journey to find out the truth. What happens when a teenager from Stockport tries to stop the world exploding? A bittersweet coming-of-age story about fledgling friendships, mental health and a Syrian rescue mission.
PRESS
The play itself feels like a video game that has become real. Correspondence uses a sheltered teenage boy to cleverly express the contemporary trope of the Western people’s need to interfere in a way that clashes with the culture they want to help The Upcoming
Attewell’s performance is a natural portrayal of a boy falling apart unnoticeably. He is cast impeccably; unassuming and flawless. Similarly, Ariaie is completely understated in his performance, focussing far more on his identity as a teenager than his socio-political position. Making his surroundings all the more powerful. In this vein, Blythe Stewart’s direction is stripped back, fluid and simple... It is claustrophobic; an all encompassing surround sound A Younger Theatre
With video-game bleeps punctuating the action, and characters bouncing around the place at hyper-accelerated speed, director Blythe Stewart blurs the line between real and unreal What'sOnStage
CREATIVES
Writer Lucinda Burnett
Producer Robyn Keynes for Glint of Light Productions
Designer Bethany Wells
Lighting Designer Christopher Nairne
Sound Designer Giles Thomas
Photography Richard Lakos for The Other Richard
CAST
Ben Joe Attewell
Harriet Jill McAusland
Fran Joanna Croll
David Mark Extance
Jibreel Ali Ariaie