A hard-hitting, claustrophobic drama about trying to escape your past.
Pink loves Rolly. Rolly loves Pink. And Pink loves getting bombed off
her face. Sisters from the same nest. Both trapped in a tiny rotting
world. Both cuffed to a past that refuses to release them. One wants
out. The other needs her in. Trouble is that when you complete each
other, you're nothing on your own. Pests was commissioned by Clean
Break in a co-production with the Royal Court Theatre, London, and the
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. It premiered at the Royal Exchanage
in March 2014, before transferring to the Royal Court and touring the
UK.
Intense... a blend of lyrical realism cut with social commentary. -
Time Out (London)
Raw, visceral, painfully funny and sometimes uncomfortably intimate...
rings, and positively screams, with authenticity. - The Stage
Fiercely impressive... powerfully intimate and tense. - The Times
(London)
Heightened language that sizzles, skitters and explodes across the stage
like word grenades... makes us sit up and really listen. - Guardian
Rich, poetic... unflinching, raw and gut-wrenching. - WhatsOnStage
Vivienne Franzmann's first play Mogadishu won the 2008 Bruntwood
Playwriting Competition in association with the Manchester Royal
Exchange, and opened there to critical acclaim in 2011. Her other plays
include The Witness for the Royal Court in 2012. Pests was written
during her time as Resident Playwright for Clean Break.
