Description

Book Synopsis

Everyone creates their own coping strategies or rules for living. But what happens when an extended family gathers in the kitchen for a traditional Christmas and they each follow those rules, rigidly?

As long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare, even Mum, who's been preparing this lunch since last January, becomes embroiled. Time-honoured rivalries and resentments will out. Accusations fly, relationships deconstruct, the rules take over.

In Sam Holcroft's theatrically playful, dark comedy the instructions are there for all to see, audience included - so there's really no place to hide.

Rules for Living premiered at the National Theatre, London, in March 2015.



Trade Review

'[Rules for Living] revels in the conventions of traditional domestic comedy, but then ups the ante ingeniously by playfully showing us the rules by which each of the characters live and their destructive patterns of behaviour'

* Guardian *

'Bitingly funny and sharply observed'

* Exeunt Magazine *

'Anarchically effective'

* The Stage *

'Horribly funny'

* The Times *

Rules for Living

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    A Paperback / softback by Sam Holcroft

    £10.44

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Fri 2 Oct 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Nick Hern Books
      Published 12 March 2015
      ISBN-13 9781848424692
      978-1848424692
      ISBN-10 1848424698
      Also in:
      Poetry

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Everyone creates their own coping strategies or rules for living. But what happens when an extended family gathers in the kitchen for a traditional Christmas and they each follow those rules, rigidly?

      As long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare, even Mum, who's been preparing this lunch since last January, becomes embroiled. Time-honoured rivalries and resentments will out. Accusations fly, relationships deconstruct, the rules take over.

      In Sam Holcroft's theatrically playful, dark comedy the instructions are there for all to see, audience included - so there's really no place to hide.

      Rules for Living premiered at the National Theatre, London, in March 2015.



      Trade Review

      '[Rules for Living] revels in the conventions of traditional domestic comedy, but then ups the ante ingeniously by playfully showing us the rules by which each of the characters live and their destructive patterns of behaviour'

      * Guardian *

      'Bitingly funny and sharply observed'

      * Exeunt Magazine *

      'Anarchically effective'

      * The Stage *

      'Horribly funny'

      * The Times *

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