Overview
A volume of four new plays as part of the RSC's
Midsummer Mischief by Alice Birch, E. V. Crowe, Timberlake Wertenbaker
and Abi Zakarian. The writers had the famous quote by Laurel Thatcher
Ulrich, "Well-behaved women seldom make history" as an initial
provocation and each writer has responded to this line in a unique and
distinctive way. The Ant and the Cicada by Timberlake Wertenbaker A
mysterious investor has set his sights on a prime piece of Greek real
estate. Owned by two sisters whose lives and beliefs are at odds, and
with debts rising all the time, the property's future is uncertain. In a
Greek tragedy, everybody loses. Through the struggle between two very
different sisters for control of their family home, Timberlake
Wertenbaker's new play explores why we are willing to let the home of
art and democracy crumble as the rest of Europe looks on. Revolt. She
said. Revolt again. by Alice Birch You are expected to behave - Use the
right words Act appropriately Don't break the rules Just behave This
play is not well behaved Alice Birch examines the language, behaviour
and forces that shape women in the 21st century and asks what's stopping
us from doing something truly radical to change them. I can hear you by
E.V. Crowe Tommy is dead. It's always tragic when they die young.
People have posted loads of nice stuff on his Facebook page. His sister
Ruth has returned for the funeral and wants to get it just right. Proper
cutlery and a good spread. The send-off he deserved, and certainly
better than they managed when mum died. The following Sunday Ruth's
plans to leave again are interrupted as the doorbell rings and in walks a
still very much dead, Tommy. E.V. Crowe's naturalistic supernatural
play examines what the possibilities are for the women in Tommy's
family, and questions if it's as easy for everyone to reveal what it is
they want. This is not an exit by Abi Zakarian You wake up, tied to a
radiator. Your hands are bound and there is a bag over your head. You
know you should fight, but you don't know how or against whom. But you
can't have it all: where would you put it? Abi Zakarian's new play is a
funny and ferocious drama about the absurdity at the heart of modern
womanhood, and what really stands in the way of fulfilment.