“Word:Play is back!”

For one week only, Box of Tricks returns to Theatre503 with six brand new plays inspired by a single word.

Following the critically-acclaimed sell-out success of Word:Play 2, Box of Tricks has commissioned six new playwrights to write a fifteen-minute play inspired by a single word; for this cycle, “obsession”.

We’ve assembled some of the hottest emerging talent to rise to this unique creative challenge: six playwrights, who between them have already won a clutch of awards and accolades; including OffWestEnd’s Adopt a Playwright Award, the Kings Cross Award, Best New Writing at the Lost Festival, winner of the Off Cut Festival, the Old Vic New Voices’ 24 Hour Plays and US/UK Exchange and the Royal Court Young Writers’ Programme.

Shove, Kenneth Emson
“And I started to feel like I was about to fall. Like I was about to come crashing to the floor and this feeling took me over.” The story of how we fell.

That Dark Place, Anna Jordan
Nathan can’t find his pen. He wants to write his confession. Constance fears the repercussions in a small community. But why are they guilty?

With (Toxic) Love From Anna, Elinor Cook
Anna’s new to London. But she left her heart in Australia. A funny and heartbreaking tale of a lonely girl in a big city.

Awake, Hannah Nicklin
Flo is lost. So is J0n. A story about the new ways that we connect, disconnect, reconnect and plug ourselves into the digital age.

Struck by Love/Train, Evan Placey
Sarah fell in love today. Before she fell under a train. But she needs to break up with her husband. One woman’s journey to find true love on the London underground.

Safety, Marcelo Dos Santos
Ben’s new to all this. Mark’s a grizzled veteran. Olly’s in love. Someone pass the tea. A daring black comedy set in swinging South London.

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“We kick (or rather, push) off with Kenneth Emson's 'Shove'… A promisingly intriguing start and an engaging performance by Simon Darwen… Hannah Nicklin's 'Awake'… neatly engages in a poignant argument... aided by a terrific performance from Gunnarsson, evoking the spirit of a Jean-Pierre Jeunet hero. [In 'Struck by Love/Train', Natasha] James has great fun with Evan Placey's witty and poetic script…We end with Marcelo Dos Santos' 'Safety'… Dos Santos marries Pinter with Philip Ridley in a uniquely beguiling manner and the cast are excellent… Box of Tricks' evening is certainly interesting, even fascinating at times.”

★★★ Remote Goat