If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet
| If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Nick Payne |
| Characters | 2 male, 2 female |
| Date premiered | 2009 Bush Theatre in London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama/Comedy |
If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet is the first full length professionally produced play by the British playwright Nick Payne. It was produced at the Bush Theatre[1] in London in 2009.
Productions
London
The play opened in London in 2009 at the Bush Theatre it was a smash hit. Directed by Josie Rourke, the cast starred Rafe Spall, Ailish O'Connor, Pandora Collin and Michael Begley. It received positive reviews calling it flawless and a comic tour de force.[2]
Payne received a nomination for the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright in 2010; he won the George Devine Award.
Off-Broadway
The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre Company Laura Pels Theatre on 20 September 2012. Michael Longhurst directed, with Jake Gyllenhaal starring in his New York stage debut.[3] It was extended and then returned from a hiatus for another two weeks, through 23 December 2012.[4] Designer Beowulf Boritt created an impressive submergable set suggesting a planet under siege. TimeOut New York called it "Stirring, Insightful & Brutally Honest....Using set changes that are both practical and neatly metaphoric, director Michael Longhurst shows that sometimes people with the highest ideals make the biggest messes."[5]
As a family in a tailspin stuck somewhere between knowing what the problems are and doing something about it - questions of what or who really needs saving were presented in this stirring work.
Plot
Overweight and bullied Anna is neglected by her global warming obsessed father and misunderstood by her teacher mother. When her dozy but charismatic uncle turns up out the blue he is the only one that seems be able to get through to her, however as he becomes more and more obsessed with his ex-girlfriend and his own problems he doesn't notice Anna spiralling into depression and that he is the only one who could save her.
References
- ^ " 'If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet' Listing"bushtheatre.co.uk
- ^ [1] The Guardian, 25 October 2009
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Jake Gyllenhaal Makes U.S. Stage Debut in 'If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet', Opening Sept. 20 in NYC" playbill.com, 20 September 2012
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. " 'If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet', with Jake Gyllenhaal, Extends in NYC; Enid Graham to Join Cast" playbill.com, 11 October 2012
- ^ Cote, David. If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet Time Out NY, 20 September 2012