The Collection

About the Book

The four plays in this collection are unique in many ways. All founded on true experiences, the plays show the complexities of human behaviour and the choices people make. They remind us that our decision and actions can rarely, if ever, be classified in simple terms of black and white. These creative works challenge us to look inside and question ourselves, no matter how difficult the answers may be. And behind every word is the realisation that not only do these things happen, they specifically did occur to the many brave individuals who gave up their stories as a means of educating, entertaining, exploring and challenging. Described by audiences as “life changing,” “brave,” “shocking,” “self-reflective,” “raw,” “unlike any other theatre experience,” “challenging,” and “I didn’t know theatre could do this.” Hartley puts all her cards on the table with her writing and is not afraid to tackle the topics others avoid, yet she does so with an honesty, even brutality, that never loses its sensitivity or humour, albeit black humour. Her compassion and respect for those she writes about is clear in ever page of her work.

About the Author

Jennifer S. Hartley is an award-winning author, director, playwright, and applied theatre practitioner. She is director and founder of the UK charity Theatre versus Oppression, which works nationally and internationally to give voice to the oppressed, and she is codirector of Multi Story Media. As well as teaching and lecturing in applied theatre theory and practice, Jennifer works with minority groups around the world. This in turn has led to a number of plays, publications, and TV/film work. Jennifer regularly works on projects employing applied theatre techniques to all media forms and is a public speaker on the global platform. She regularly teaches through conducting workshops and training around the world, and her plays have been performed in twelve different countries. For more information on Jennifer and her work, please see www.theatreversusoppression.com.