Reviews

Punk Rock by Simon Stephens

irenicalirene's review

challenging dark informative tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

k_bessler's review against another edition

5.0

Set in Northern England, Stephens' play has an interesting cultural context in a place where personal guns and school shootings are practically unheard of. Simon Stephens is a phenomenal playwright that has a knack for writing complex, powerful teenage characters and pairing each scene with the perfect punk rock song as a theme.

olafindisguise's review against another edition

4.0

OBSESSED. Definitely going to reread immediately.

racks's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

4.25

em_carter's review against another edition

emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ginam's review

5.0

I read this play two years ago and disliked it. I’ve reread it now and I’m flabbergasted I ever disliked it. This play is a gut punch, wrapped up in violence, bullying, toxic masculinity, and privilege. Maybe it’s my mindset now in 2018 and the way this play speaks volumes about the world around me, but wow. This play is powerful.

lake's review

3.0

One thing I'm not a fan of is the whole "characters who are unsure about their sexuality take it out on others" trope. That was something present in this play and wasn't something I enjoyed.

Other than that, I think the play was okay. I got through it quickly. I wasn't too surprised by the ending. Some of the conversations were a bit too scattered. It would have been better to see them on stage. It's interesting that the playwright was a teacher himself. I think he was able to write the teenagers quite well.