Pornography

Synopsis

One week in July 2005. Live 8. G8. London 2012 Olympics. 7/7. July 2005, Britain feels like the centre of the world. Big events are happening and everyone is talking about them. In schools, offices, streets, shops, parks and homes - there’s a buzz in the air. You can feel the sense of anticipation. The world’s eyes are focused on us and you can feel the energy and possibilities. In less than an hour in Central London, everything will change...Pornography is the stark and shattering new play by Simon Stephens that captures Britain as it crashes from the euphoria and promise of the 2012 Olympics announcement into the devastation of 7/7.

Our Review:

15 August 2008

Simon Stephens’ Pornography is a dark piece focussing on one week in London in 2005. The week in question tracks the euphoria of the announcement that London would be hosting the 2012 Olympics and juxtaposes it with the devastating events of 7/7. We are presented with six snapshots into the lives of a collection of people (in pairs or as individuals) who detail their experiences as the week progresses with all the twists and turns it throws at them.

Staging is sparse and raw (exposed cables run across the stage) with minimal props and the grubby black brickwork of the Traverse acting as the backdrop. This helps focus the attention entirely on the performances, which in turn serves to highlight the exceptional writing. Scenes are short and give us mere glimpses into the lives of the subjects but are so well presented as to draw us in immediately and wholeheartedly. Pornography is darkly comic in parts but maintains a si...

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