Responsible Other
By (Author) Melanie Spencer
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Oberon Books Ltd
19th June 2013
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
822.92
Paperback
104
Width 130mm, Height 210mm, Spine 6mm
122g
Daisy is sixteen. She was normal. Now shes just an ill person with a disease no one has heard of. The hospital tells her father Peter that she must travel regularly to London for specialist treatment but how on earth will he get time off work Theres one person he could ask for help. Problem is, Daisys not going to like it Responsible Other is a bittersweet comedy which examines the complexities of family life.
Melanie Spencer's debut play has plenty of spark - unexpectedly affecting, and, in the encounters between Daisy and Alice, Spencer demonstrates that she is a playwright of real talent who can bring a smile of recognition to our faces. * Lyn Gardner, The Guardian *
Melanie Spencer's exceedingly attractive and accomplished debut play Responsible Other is full of lively wit and sharp observation, as her beautifully acted production brings out - warmly recommended. * Independent *
A bold, funny and impressive debut. * Time Out *
[A] fierce and compelling debut play from writer/director Melanie Spencer - The way she captures the dynamics of high-pitched youthful female friendship is exquisite. * London Evening Standard *
Responsible Other shows much promise: characters are well drawn and differentiated, with strong and likeable personalities. The progression of the various relationships is engaging and dramatic, and Spencer's focus on and approach to Lupus disease is illuminating and insightful * A Younger Theatre *
Responsible Other is an astonishingly good debut. So amusing, so moving, so acute emotionally - A remarkably rich first play. * The Times *
Melanie Spencer studied English Literature at UEA and holds an MA in Text and Performance (with distinction) from RADA. She is a Creative Associate at the Gate Theatre. Melanie was on the Young Playwrights Scheme at Chichester Festival Theatre from 2009-2011, winning the in-house PlayPod prize twice. Up-coming writing credits include a biopic of James Joyces daughter, Lucia, for BBC Radio 4 (produced and directed by Jeremy Mortimer). Directing credits for Made By Brick include Chicken by Freddie Machin (Southwark Playhouse), Sense by Anja Hilling (Hen & Chickens), Honest by D C Moore (George on the Strand) and a radio series by a number of writers for Theatre On Call.