WINNER OF THE 18th MEYER-WHITWORTH AWARD
COTTON WOOL
by Ali Taylor
"What we saw was real. It was oor mammy. She’s come to find us."
The lads have just left their mother's funeral. At the beach, they see something floating in the sea. It can't be what it looks like. Can it?
On the rain lashed coast of Scotland, teenage brothers Callum and Gussie are desperate to discover what lies beneath the waves. When they spot young runaway Harriet, their search is thrown into chaos and brother is pitted against brother
A gripping tale of young lives on the edge
Cotton Wool played at Theatre503 from 1 to 26 April 2008.
It was created on the Jerwood Arvon Young Writers’ Apprenticeship in 2005 and developed at the NT Studio. In January 2008, the play received its European premiere at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden, where it sold out every performance for 3 months. It was also performed at Theater Csiky Gergely in 2009.
(c) Hugh Macdonald
REVIEWS
Critics Choice – The Guardian
Critics Choice – Time Out
The Times ****
“Grittily poetic and thrillingly imaginative ... Poignantly funny ... Bewitching”
Time Out ****
“All aspects of Lisa Spirling’s production are praiseworthy”
Daily Telegraph
“Startling profundity and pathos ... Beautifully directed ... Faultless performances ... Cotton Wool deserves to be seen on a bigger stage very soon”
The Guardian ***
“Compelling ... Both writing and actors capture the mix of harsh friction and the fierce, fragile love that binds these lost, motherless boys ... an intriguing couple of hours that mark out Taylor, who has just won the Metamorphosis 08 playwriting competition, as a quirky talent whose observations of the teenage heart and the boys' devotion to Frosties ring absolutely true."
The Stage
“Intelligent writing … thoughtful direction … fantastic performances … demonstrate the wealth of talent available to British theatre”
Whatsonstage ****
“Powerhouse performances ... Cotton Wool reminds one of the importance of the London fringe ... Ali Taylor is clearly one to watch”