Simon Stephens’ shocking new play Punk Rock comes to Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester

Oct 1 2009 Chester Chronicle

AWARD-winning playwright Simon Stephens returns to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre with Punk Rock following its critically-acclaimed London premiere

Teaming up with RET artistic director Sarah Frankcom, Stockport-born Simon Stephens has created a volatile new play revealing the brutality and disillusion within a Stockport grammar school, which has a chilling resemblance to current news stories.

It follows a group of educated, articulate yet anxious young people in their final school year. With looming exams and the rise of discontent with the world, the sexual angst and simmering violence within them threatens to explode, resulting in a shocking finale.

Simon Stephens, who won the 2002 Pearson Award for Best New Play for Port at the Royal Exchange Theatre, gained critical-acclaim for On The Shore of the World.

Since then Simon has become a major commended playwright with recent hits Harper Regan (National Theatre, 2008), Pornography (Tricycle Theatre, 2009) and Sea Wall (Traverse Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2009 and Bush Theatre, 2008).

Punk Rock can be seen at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from October 7-31.

Ring the box office on 0161 833 9833 or log on to www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline.