Pornography by Simon Stephens was performed by Flora Baring, Helena Bell, Tatiana Chater Davies, Orlando Gaul, Jack Nithavrianakis, Leila Tinne and Isabel Woodhouse for their AS Drama exam.
One week in July 2005. Live 8. G8. London 2012 Olympic bid. 7/7.
Britain feels like the centre of the world. World-changing politics, gigantic charity concerts, the chance to host the Olympics; everything's happening, and everyone's talking about it. In schools, offices, streets, shops, parks and homes – there's a buzz in the air, a sense of anticipation. The worlds eyes are focused on Britain and you can feel the energy and possibilities. But in less than an hour in central London, everything will change.
Pornography is the stark and shattering play by Simon Stephens that captures Britain as it crashes from the euphoria and promise of the 2012 Olympic announcement into the devastation of 7/7. Each monologue or playlet focuses on a different individual, walking in their shoes in the run-up to the tragedy.
The play was first presented in 2007 at Hanover, Germany; the UK premiere was in 2008 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
