Description
Book SynopsisWhen Ben Targét was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2012 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, he was set on the path to becoming a critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning performance artist.
Eight years later, amidst a global pandemic, he gave it all up to become the live-in carer for his uncle: an irascible octogenarian prankster called Lorenzo Wong.
LORENZO is their story, a show that confronts the messiness of ageing and dying through the medium of storytelling, servitude to the audience and live carpentry, a combination not seen on the world stage since Nazareth circa 30AD.
This book is the full script of that life-affirming show, with illustrations by Targét himself. It was directed by Adam Brace, and was premiered at Summerhall, Edinburgh, during the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it was awarded a Fringe First. It subsequently transferred to Soho Theatre, London.
Trade Review'A beautiful and wise work'
* Time Out *
'Very lovely... a joyful and philosophical show... a heartfelt hour about tough times and the people who quietly help us survive them'
* Guardian *
'An exploration of the sorts of things that give life meaning... completely engaging... very funny and very moving... a life-affirming tale that is warm and whimsical, but fundamentally all about human connection'
* WhatsOnStage *
'A moving and courageous piece of theatre'
* The Scotsman *
'The ultimate celebration of life. I've never laughed and cried so much at the same show'
* Everything Theatre *
'A joyous celebration of what it means to love deeply'
* Fest Mag *
'A deeply affecting, tender and funny story of love and loss'
* The List *
'A beautiful and touching insight into life'
* West End Best Friend *
'Ben Target is a master storyteller... The play is as heartfelt as it is disarmingly funny... a truly beautiful piece of work'
* British Theatre Guide *
'A heartfelt true story about providing end-of-life care to a family member during COVID, told in such a way that is never predictable and always, oddly, a pleasure'
* Broadway Baby *
'A testament to the art of storytelling... captures the humanity, tragedy and humour of life with a seeming ease'
* Reviews Hub *
'A masterclass in storytelling theatre, with the audience completely and utterly gripped throughout. It's beautiful and captivating and a sad story becomes utterly joyful in the hands of our charismatic host'
* Broadway World *
