Albion

by Mike Bartlett

'It’s England really, isn’t it?
A climate without cloud and rain isn’t honest.’

In the ruins of a garden in rural England, in a house which was once a home, one woman searches for seeds of hope.

Mike Bartlett's play Albion was premiered in October 2017 at the Almeida Theatre, London, in a production directed by Rupert Goold.

Genres: Plays, Theatre

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2017

About the author

Michael Bartlett is a British playwright. Mike Bartlett was born on 7 October 1980 in Abingdon, Oxford, England. He attended Abingdon School, then studied English and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds. In October 2013, Mike won Best New Play at The National Theatre Awards for his play Bull, beating plays from both Alan Ayckbourn and Tom Wells.

(source)

Reviews

[Tuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent play by mike bartlett - multilayered, complex and timely. would love to see it on stage.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bartlett is one of my favorite contemporary playwrights, and one of the things I like about him is that he never repeats himself - there really is nothing that defines a Bartlett play. Even so, it is rather surprising to find him here in a Chekhovian mode - this play has definite nods to both 'The Seagull' and 'The Cherry Orchard', and after a rather staid beginning, really crackles. My only other quibble is that the set and special effects requirements place the budget for mounting the show properly outside the realm of possibility for most companies.

[Harry McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this play maybe a year ago, and thought I remembered it more than I actually did. Whole swathes of it were surprising to me.

It is basically The Seagull. But more entertaining? Audrey is a brilliamt character, the structure is faultless, yes it climbs into melodrama ocassionally but I like a good bit of melodrama so...

[Carmijn Gerritsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting take on Brexit in the form of a play that never directly addresses it. It links the present day to 1923. Very experimental and fun to watch alongside an actual performance.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for class. It felt to me very much like “look at me, I’m so smart! I’m so subtle and genius and have deep meaning!” when it really is just not good. These characters are THIN.

I knew this would be getting a one star when there was a part when a woman had sex with a tree. hand me the bleach for my eyes please.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

act one is like: this is why i'm a creative writing major
act two is like: this is why i shouldn't be a creative writing major

[Taylor Rousselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

was it the most exciting play I’ve read in this class? definitely not. was it still good? absolutely

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audrey has given up hectic London life to buy a country estate and bring its sprawling garden back to life. The garden holds a special meaning for her, as it was planted by a returning World War I soldier and Audrey's own son James was killed in recent combat. Joining her at her new home are daughter Zara, a struggling writer; husband Paul, a doormat; writer friend Katherine; and her son's girlfriend Anna, who is obsessed with staying near James' ashes. I liked how much was going on, from local politics to the connections with soldiers (past, present and future), to an awkward love story between Zara and Katherine. There is a lot to think about, especially the tug-of-war between preserving the past and accepting the present.

Scenes I would love to see presented:
-Anna's communing with the garden and James in the pouring rain
-Futuristic soldiers at the end of the play

[Victoria Claringbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating play looking at a family surviving grief and the modern world surrounded by a country house and garden that is becoming too much to deal with. There are conflicts between two female older characters and metaphors for loss, decay and change throughout. Bartlett writes excellent dialogue and three dimensional characters that keep you entertained and frustrated. I wish I had seen it on stage.

[Katie Toon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play seems very similar to Arthur Miller’s All My Sons... it’s set in the garden, the son died at war, and the other members of the house have secrets. But I just didn’t enjoy it. It started quite boring and stayed as such throughout. Nothing really groundbreaking happened which I felt it needed. Would love to watch it on stage and see if viewing it in its intended form is any different.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was a really great example of a play that tackled big issues, but the characters seemed realistic and not just devices.
It was interesting on a human level but had lots of meat to it in terms of where we are as a country, especially in the wake of the EU referendum.
Apparently it's being broadcast on BBC 4 so will definitely watch it.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

**uni read - britain modern stage**
this play may be the best I have ever read, and the BBC production only made me love it more. the characters and the plot are very interesting, and the parallels that can be drawn with Brexit are clear. I would definitely recommend both reading the play and watching the production!

[massmarketbareback · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the fence about this one. I think it is a good play but I'm not sure if it is brilliant.

[Caitlin Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Messy but great.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this play despite and maybe because of bleak nature. I love reading works that are about writers because it allows me to see myself so much more in the characters.

[David Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written play, with complex characters. Although very English in its sentiments it manages to transcend this and reveal a universal situation. Very enjoyable.

[Jonathan Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good indeed. Some cracking stage directions which really stretch the mind as to theatrical possibilities!

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful writing, a complex and moving plot and dynamic, polarising characters. loved it, definitly keen to read more of his plays now

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

heel mooi heel genuanceerd heel subtiel. als je dan theater gaat schrijven over brexit doe het zo

[mr. darcy’s left pinky toe · Rating 4 out of 5]

fictional garden supremacy.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much happening but Very well written

[Eden]

Fuck that was really sad. Reminded me of a modern British version of The Cherry Orchard.

[Gregory Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly broken family and friends try to stand up to a tyrannical, quietly murderous Matriarch.
Nobody wins -- Matriarch included.
Gruesome.
Also, evidently, an allegory of doomed, desiccated, atomized post-Brexit Brittan.
Not the Feel-Good Play of 2017.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some wonderful moments and overall a great sense character, but also some irritatingly obvious symbolism that spoilt what could have been a fabulous drama.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things fall apart in Britain in an understated but still striking way.