As We Face the Sun
2 Nov 2023
As We Face the Sun
Ebook
£7.99£6.39
A stark and tender story about growing up, the pleasures of friendship, why we hold onto things and how we might start to let go.
A group of classmates, determined to remember their lost friend, commit to throwing an annual party in her honour. It's what she would have wanted. And year after year, they stick to the tradition.
Now they're in their twenties, and another party is about to start. The cake has arrived safely, the buffet is all set, and the aux cable is finally working – but something just doesn't feel right…
Kit Withington's play As We Face the Sun was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in a production by the Bush Young Company.
Content guidance: This play contains strong language and exploration of adult themes including death and depression.
A free downloadable extract of the play is available from this page.
The Nick Hern Books Multiplay Drama series features large-cast plays specifically written to be performed by and appeal to young people. For more information, visit www.multiplaydrama.co.uk.
'A touching examination of how young minds deal with shared grief... well-written, touching and easy to relate to... Each character is distinct and interesting, providing a worthwhile challenge for the performers to sink their teeth into'
Everything Theatre'Effervescent... has the fizzing energy of a school coach trip... a warm-hearted homage to adolescence... Withington's writing is refreshingly understated with an elegant honesty... The show is peppered with the kind of quirky details that feel slight in retrospect but can hold such a strange sway over our teenage years'
Guardian'A moving depiction of what it means to grieve together while growing apart... a poignant and refreshing piece of theatre'
London Theatre Reviews'A tender coming-of-age story that explores the role of friendship, unknotting growing pains and the sorrows of letting go'
Broadway World'A smart and meaningful meditation on grief, friendship and the slow process of disconnection from a childhood self... bursting with energy, filled with impulsive chatter, dance, fun and plenty of innocent hope for the future... there are lots of characters, and each has a distinct personality and trajectory, contributing to the feeling of communal experience across the piece while also getting a moment in the limelight'
Reviews Hub'A vibrant and spirited coming-of-age story that authentically captures all the ups and downs of adolescence... A pacey, punchy script... Despite the dark subject matter, character-driven humour is littered throughout... a moving and memorable experience'
The Upcoming'An intriguing puzzle for the audience to piece together... an intriguing study of the after-effects of trauma and how they develop over time, but isn't without humour'
British Theatre Guide2 Nov 2023
