Pentecost (NHB International Collection) [Paperback]

David Edgar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996 | Series: NHB International Collection

The newest play by one of England's leading playwrights.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Edgar is best known for his adaptation of "Nicholas Nickleby" for the RSC (revived in West End, Xmas 2007, Following UK tour), for whom he wrote "Destiny", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "Pentecost" and "The Prisoner's Dilemma". His plays at the National include "The Shape of the Table", "Entertaining Strangers" with Judi Dench, and "Albert Speer".

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854592920
• ISBN-13: 978-1854592927
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only the worst play for the closed-minded, March 5, 2005

By 

Helen Li (Santa Barbara, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentecost (NHB International Collection) (Paperback)

If you fear change and provocative discussion, don't read or see this play. If you appreciate the struggle of people on the other side of the world, if you want to listen to an intelligent critique on society, and if you want to enjoy an brilliantly crafted fiction, read it. And see it if it's playing near you. I don't know what that guy who wrote that it's "the worst play ever" was thinking, but it's pretty evident that he doesn't think very broadly. Theatre for entertainment is all well and good, but anyone who thinks it can't also be a vessel for social change is a fool, and people who bash things they don't agree with clearly demonstrate themselves as such. So read this play, and regardless of whether you love it or loathe it, TALK about it. I think that's what the playwright wanted in the first place.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the time to appreciate this play., December 11, 2004

By 

J. Arnold (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentecost (NHB International Collection) (Paperback)

Firstly, let me dispell the comment below about gratuitous [physical] sex: there is no sex in this play, and only a brief nude scene which is completely unsexual. My college just performed this great play, and it took a while to warm up to it. The first time I tried reading the script, I had an extremely hard time getting through it. If David Edgar is guilty of one bad thing in this play, it is for dealing with too many issues and ideas. This work is jam-packed with ideas--not randomely, but ideas brought forth by characters who fittingly have them and feel the need to share them. There is a great line in the play: "we are the sum of those who have invaded us." Let this play invade you.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great in class discussions., June 13, 2003

By 

wade jacoby (Provo, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentecost (NHB International Collection) (Paperback)

I have used this play in several undergraduate classes in European Politics. One of its many virtues is that it starts a lot of conversations with students who by their own admission know very little about eastern europe. And yet whenever I have students from eastern europe in the class, they always find many parts of the play deeply authentic. It's getting a bit dated by now (2003), but I still think it's a terrific starting point for discussions about borders, ethnicity, and commerce in contemporary europe.