Blasted (Modern Plays)
by Sarah Kane

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Book Reviews of Blasted (Modern Plays)

Book Review: Beautiful. Horrific but beatiful.
Summary: 5 Stars

The play is set during an unnamed civil war, the action, however, takes place in Ian's hotel room in Leeds. Ian, a reporter, lures Cate, his former lover back to his hotel where he abuses, belittle's, and minimalises her to nothing more than a piece of pentratable flesh. However, pretator becomes prey when a tortured, guilt-ridden but totally immoral soldier invades the room and proceedes to punish Ian for both his social (to Cate) and political (as a reporter in the field) crimes. The horror he inflicted upon Cate is multiplied infinately upon himself by the soldier. He is left humiliated, impotent, hungry and stripped of all "civilisation". Kane makes him nothing more than a helpless animal. With nowhere left to turn, his only salvation now is Cate.

Marquis de Sade meets shakespeare? yes. Perhaps more on Shakespeare than de Sade although many might disagree. The language is stripped back and minimalistic and the violence is written like dialouge. This is a huge challenge for the actor but Kane makes it clear what she wants from the three players. Yes the violence (which I haven't even begun to discuss and shall avoid doing so), is extreme. PREPARE THYSELF. Despite this, the soul of Kane's debut is the gentleness that reaches through it. Upon first reading/viewing, most will be shocked and repulsed but observe: The most gentle, least violent of the three characters is the one most triumphant (or closest to it). The most provocative aspect of this play is (apart from the violence) is the extreme fragility of these characters even when they are commiting the most vicious acts. Underneath the horror is something precious that's been broken somewhere and they can't move on with their lives. The play is written to make your heart bleed, not make your stomache churn.

These are not one-diamensional characters despite their brutality. This has the potential to be a dynamic play but that all depends on the choices of the actor and director.

I encourage ALL to read it even if it's from morbid curiosity. There is an undeniable beauty here that will be discovered if you look closely. This isn't a horror show. It serves a higher, moral purpose. See for yourself.

Summary of Blasted (Modern Plays)

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