Description
Book SynopsisBased on true events, the play follows the stories of Anna, a rape complainant, and Sean, the defendant, with insight and sensitivity. This heart-breaking, multi-layered play jolts the audience into exploring the implications of consent, focussing on the impact of toxic coercive relationships, the power of social media and the need for healthy sexual boundaries, especially when alcohol or drugs blur the lines. The play deliberately takes no specific moral or legal standpoint, forcing you to question long-held beliefs and inherent prejudice. A socially provocative play, which is of particular significance in the light of recent shocking reports about the low incidence of convictions for rape and sexual assault in the UK.
Trade Review‘Every teenager and student in the country should see this play. Conferences and public forums should be convened to discuss its ramifications. This is a script to raise whirlwinds.’ – Lloyd Evans, The Spectator; 'There’s a concerted effort, almost as though this production were a dissertation paper, to consider various sides of the same story. Anna McIntyre (Georgina Armfield) goes to the police to report a crime against the person. But the alleged perpetrator, Sean Jackson (Calum Wragg-Smith) did not, on the balance of probabilities, set out to wilfully do anything harmful to another person.' - London Theatre; 'This is not a glamorous West End show. Indeed, it is all the more effective for the Cockpit’s small in- the- round stage, where every change of expression, every twitch of the finger, is noticeable. The play is openly intended to provoke (and there are two post-show Q & A sessions, which promise to be more stimulating than such events usually are). It raises questions: What counts as sexual assault? What are the consequences for the complainant? What are the consequences for the perpetrator? Is it ever enough to say sorry? Because the issues are at the forefront, characters are only sketchily portrayed, with the merest hint of family background. As a result, they are almost universally relatable.' - The Reviews Hub;
