Simon Bennett’s debut play caused a stir at the Edinburgh Festival and subsequently at the Royal Court Theatre in London. It takes place in a rough borough in the South of London where Ray has been in prison for three years for drumming. After his release he falls straight back into his old habits and even includes his younger brother, Barry in his deeds. Ray has got a rather tense relationship with his parents and even Barry, who is a heroin addict. Through his drumming, Ray demonstrates his power and revenge on his surroundings to Barry and eventually it culminates in a shocking scene; during one of their burglaries in an upper class home, they are first having tea together after which Ray rapes his younger brother.
Bennett’s play can be seen as either a suspense thriller or a black comedy, based on crime as a lifestyle. He certainly knows his background material, as he was once in prison himself. However, somehow he manages to lift his play above authenticity so that it grabs the audience right by the throat.
