Ella Hickson Plays: OneElla HicksonLabel: Nick Hern BooksDescription: When her first play Eight transferred from student theatre in Edinburgh to the West End and then New York Ella Hickson was still in her early twenties. She has since built on that promise with a series of engaged and engaging dramas that pit romanticism and optimism against the realities of life as a young person in Britain.Eight (Edinburgh Fringe 2008) that astonishing first success is included here: a state-of-the-nation group portrait in monologues ‘an interactive Talking Heads for 21st-century teens and twentysomethings’ (Independent).Also included is Hot Mess (Edinburgh Fringe 2010) a dark and lyrical tale about twins born with just a single heart between them and Precious Little Talent (Edinburgh Fringe 2009; West End 2011) about two young adults graduating into a world that’s sold them down the river.In Boys (HighTide Festival Nuffield Theatre Southampton and Soho Theatre 2012) the Class of 2011 faces a tricky transition to adulthood in a play that ‘powerfully captures the mood of a generation’ (Independent).The volume also contains an introduction by the author and two short plays: the previously unpublished PMQ part of the Coalition season at Theatre503 London in 2010; and Gift first seen as part of Headlong’s immersive theatre production Decade in 2011.‘On the cusp of greatness’ Independent
