People, Places and Things

(Paperback)

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"Macmillan doesnt shy away from difficult questions about addiction and recovery and, rightly, doesnt answer them ... this is a bold, timely and searching play" - Financial Times Emma was having the time of her life. Now shes in rehab. Her first step is to admit that she has a problem. But the problem isnt with Emma, its with everything else. She needs to tell the truth. But shes smart enough to know that theres no such thing. When intoxication feels like the only way to survive the modern world, how can she ever sober up People, Places & Things premiered at the National Theatre in 2015 before transferring to Londons West End and St. Anns Warehouse in New York. This edition is published to coincide with the return to the West End in June, 2024

Reviews

Duncan Macmillan is not the first dramatist to tackle addiction. What gives his new play exceptional vibrancy, though, is its decision to draw parallels between rehab and theatrical process, and to present the action from the addicts point of view...a vivid tale * Guardian *
Generous-spirited, with a strong streak of irreverent, darkly humane humour, the play...has a thoughtful, shifting ambivalence that suits a problem where the solutions can only ever be provisional and the amends inadequate * Independent *
Macmillan doesnt shy away from difficult questions about addiction and recovery and, rightly, doesnt answer them. Is Emma messed up because of her past, the state of the world or the purposelessness of life Or is she self-absorbed, self-pitying and deceitful Is the spiritual aspect to Alcoholics Anonymous problematic And, if it works, does that matter He is plain about the hard grind of recovery, for everyone involved. And he touches on broader questions about the pros and cons of role-play in theatre, in therapy and in life...this is a bold, timely and searching play * Financial Times *

Author Bio

Duncan Macmillans work has been performed throughout the world, including at the National Theatre, Royal Court, Almeida, Barbican, St Anns Warehouse, Melbourne Theatre Company, Berliner Ensemble, Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Schauspielhaus Koln, Burgtheater Vienna, Vesturport, Kansallisteatteri, Nationaltheatret Oslo and in the repertory of the Schaubuhne Berlin, as well as the Edinburgh Festival, the Manchester International Festival, Salzburg Festival, Festival dAvignon and Theatertreffen, in the West End and on Broadway. His plays include Lungs; People, Places and Things; Every Brilliant Thing; Rosmersholm (adapt. Henrik Ibsen); 1984 (adapt. George Orwell, co-written and co-directed with Robert Icke); City Of Glass (adapt. Paul Auster) and 2071 (co-written with Chris Rapley). Other plays include The Forbidden Zone; Wunschloses Ungluck (adapt. Peter Handke); Reise Durch die Nacht (adapt. Friederike Mayrocker). Both 1984 and People, Places and Things were nominated for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards.