Synopsis
Common
$15.99 Published by Methuen
Large Mixed Cast
An epic tale of England's lost land
The common land - once belonging to all - is disappearing
Written with verve and wit, Common tells the story of Mary, the best liar, rogue, thief and faker in this whole septic isle
As the factory smoke of the industrial revolution belches out from the cities, Mary is swept up in the battle for her former home
After years of scraping a living on the edge of respectable London society, she returns to the village of her birth
Returns to confront old enemies
And to rekindle a former love
But there's trouble in the air as the local Lord struggles to extend the reach of his power by reclaiming the common-land as his personal fiefdom
Will Mary be able to win over those she lost before?
Or will the violence of the time seep over into even the purest of missions?
This is an epic, funny and passionate history play which asks what community means and if there can ever be resolution in the intractable battle between individual desires and the common good
Common premiered at the UK's National Theatre in a co-production with Headlong in May 2017