Land of our Fathers

(Paperback, 2nd edition)

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Description

"I can't believe we're arguing over a Blue Riband" "I can't believe we're stuck down a mine." "Yet here we are" 3rd May 1979, South Wales. Thatcher is counting her votes, Sid Vicious is spinning in his grave, and six Welsh miners are trapped down a coal mine. Within two weeks everything these men believe in and everything they know will have changed. A darkly comic drama looking at the dramatic two weeks in which a group of Welsh miners are trapped underground. Chris Urch's debut full-length play is packed full of blistering comedy and summons a generation of lost voices.

Reviews

It's a promising debut from Chris Urch, rich in character and with plenty of black comedy . . . * Evening Standard *
[A]n acute study of disgrace under pressure . . . undeniably powerful. * Guardian *
. . . undeniably powerful. * Guardian *
Chris Urch's impressive debut play . . . craftily constructed . . . Urch certainly knows how to use a cliffhanger, and the disintegrating relationships between the men, growing self-interest and looming mutiny are neatly drawn. . . . it's meaty stuff: sometimes gruelling, always watchable. * Guardian *
There's a character everyone can relate to . . . there's a character everyone will recognise and fall in love with. . . . Chris Urch is one to watch! This is the debut play by Chris Urch, tipped by Howard Brenton as one to watch. "Chris is a brilliant talent. He could become the British Tennessee Williams. Hold on to your seats, audiences, this is the real thing!" . . . A survival play at its heart, Land of Our Fathers is packed full of blistering comedy and a generation of lost voices. * Whats On Stage *
This is soul-searching, soul-scorching stuff. . . . Land of Our Fathers is a blisteringly good debut; witty, smart, brilliantly textured and paced. The dialogue is packed with dirty humour (Think of all the potential fanny!), but also punctuated with instinctive acts of kindness. . . . The actors shine but theyd be fools not to, given this gift of a script. * Time Out London *
[Urch] creates well-rounded and believable characters and he manages to sustain the plays grip on us through solid and varied writing. * The Public Reviews *
Banter in spite of desperation thats what Chris Urchs first full-length play, Land of Our Fathers, which has now transferred into Trafalgar Studios, does best. Whats more, the funny lines and quips usually dig at something quite profound. . . . Urchs distinct voice . . . is able to create authentic characters and a remarkable historical and thematic scope within a limited setting. * Exeunt Magazine *
Land of our Fathers may well move you to tears: but you're guaranteed to laugh. Chris Urch has penned a classic. * Entertainment Focus *
With coal-dark humour, writer Chris Urch celebrates the dignity of labour and men at work . . . it's a notable debut . . . * Evening Standard *
. . . Chris Urch's remarkably potent first full-length play. * Independent *
The writer, Chris Urch, has a knack for an eccentric gag . . . * Spectator *

Author Bio

Chris Urch trained as an actor at Drama Centre. In 2011 he was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize. In February 2012 he was selected from over 800 submissions as one of the 503Five, an 18-month playwriting residency with Theatre503. Since then, he has graduated from the Royal Courts Young Writers Programme. He has also participated in the Old Vics 24-hour plays (2012) as one of six writers selected, and in 2011 Theatre503 staged Married to the Game, A Girl Like You and Vote of No Confidence. Other writing credits include You Get Me (Bush) and G.L.O.R.Y (Canal Caf Theatre). Earlier this year, Chriss play Vote of No Confidence was the first to be hand-picked by Howard Brenton to launch The Playwright Presents, a new initiative at Theatre503 in which established playwrights help launch the career of a promising new writer. Land of our Fathers is Chris Urchs debut full-length play.