The Knot of the Heart

(Paperback)

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Description

'Why has this happened to us Things like this don't happen to families like ours.' Full of David Eldridge's trademark lyricism within everyday family life and interaction, The Knot of the Heart is a play where emotions are high and relationships are sensitively written. Beautiful and privileged, Lucy is enjoying a burgeoning career in television. But her social drug habit has become a serious addiction, casting a dark shadow over her future happiness. As her charmed life begins to slip away, Lucy comes to realise that the devoted support of her family does not come without a price. Ultimately hopeful and redemptive, The Knot of the Heart is atmospheric and poetic without undermining the all-too-believable characters' realism.

Reviews

David Eldridge's moving new play...greatly heightens our understanding of the addictive personality...[a] compassionately inquiring play. -- Michael Billington * Guardian *
Powerful family drama...This is a finely written, strong play which has many sensitive moments and its message pulls no punches...A subject that touches the heart. -- Paul Callen * Daily Express *
David Eldridge's superb...play is the most painful and persuasive account of addiction I have ever encountered... It's a challenging play, but exceptionally rewarding and illuminating...There is real enlightenment on offer here, as well as tentative hope. -- Charles Spencer * Daily Telegraph *
A dramatic tour de force...Eldridge's strengths shine through in his meticulous depiction of addiction and in his care to prevent the audience from passing easy moral judgement. -- Robert Shore * Metro (London) *
Eldridge does not duck painful truths but nevertheless provides a modicum of hope as the three women face up to them. By delving unflinchingly into a specific, extreme case, he casts a fierce light on many a 'normal' family. -- Heather Neill * The Stage *

Author Bio

David Eldridge's play Festen was a huge success at the Almeida in 2004 and subsequently in the West End. His other work includes Market Boy (National Theatre) and Under the Blue Sky (Royal Court and West End), which won the Time Out Live Award for Best New Play.