Gulbenkian

Description

Am I a virgin? I think I am. I mean it went in her but it was floppy and it wasn’t very nice so I think I’m a virgin. I’m going to say I am. Will look better on my uni applications.

Liverpool, 1989. Greg is fourteen. He has just started secondary school. He earns pocket money sweeping up hair in a barbers. Girls are aliens. Liverpool FC are everything.

Bottleneck is a vibrant coming-of-age story about becoming a man through adventures both big and small. It is about a notorious city; Liverpool. How the outside world views it, and how it views the outside world.

James Cooney performs following his acclaimed breakthrough performance in Island at the National Theatre. Directed by Steven Atkinson, awarding-winning director and Artistic Director of HighTide Festival Theatre.

Luke Barnes is a northern-born emerging playwright; both a unique and exciting wordsmith. His first play Chapel Street was selected as one of the top 5 new plays off the West End in 2011 by The Stage and he was shortlisted for an OffWestEnd award for most promising playwright.

Steven Atkinson directs. His previous productions for HighTide at the Edinburgh Festival include Dusk Rings A Bellby Stephen Belber (Assembly) and Lidless by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig (Underbelly, Fringe First 2010 winner).

Tickets: Full £11/ GulbCard £9/Student £7/GulbCard Student and Gulbenkian Education Network £6

Running time: 60 minutes approx. No interval.

Suitable for ages 12+

Please note contains language which may offend

www.hightide.org.uk
@_HighTide_

Reviews

Luke Barnes, 24, captures the voice of Britain’s youth with wit and compassion. He emerges from this year’s Fringe as a red-hot writing talent to watch. (****FOUR STARS, The Independent)

Bottleneck is an outstanding play by young writer Luke Barnes. (****FOUR
STARS, The Telegraph)

Performed with poise and seemingly endless energy by James Cooney. (****FOUR STARS, The Scotsman)

Barnes is one of the best new writers at the Fringe, and James Cooney is exceptional as Greg. (*****FIVE STARS, Three Weeks)

Bottleneck feels urgent, fresh, full of rage. (****FOUR STARS, Exuent)

There's been quite a buzz about Luke Barnes' play, and one can
understand why. (***FOUR STARS, Whatsonstage.com)

Totally brought to life by Barnes’ vividly expressionistic writing. (****FOUR STARS, The List)

James Cooney gives a great performance. (Time Out)