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Punk Rock Contents
By Simon Stephens Punk Rock……….………………….2
Directed by Lara Macgregor Director’s Note….………………....3
The play explores the pressures of teenage life as a group of Simon Stephens ………….….……4
educated, intelligent young people begin to plan for college
Influences………………………..….8
and the rest of their lives. When a new classmate arrives,
suddenly friendships are tested and allegiances shift amidst Stockport Grammar……….........9
the pressures of everyday adolescence.
Schools in England……….……..10
Director Lara Macgregor said, “The desire to tackle the
themes prevalent in this script and the idea of working in Mental Health in Schools………11
collaboration with the University of Otago formed a perfect
synergy. In unison, we’re about to bring to life this riveting
Set & Lighting…………………....14
new work, which is both funny and shocking, and sadly, all Costumes…………………….…...17
too familiar.”
Props………………………….…….18
With hormones raging and minimal adult supervision,
nothing can mask the underlying and increasing tension in Meet the Actors…………......…..20
the group. These privileged grammar school students are
suddenly faced with a very real danger that could swallow Meet the Interns………….……...24
them whole. Themes and Quotes……………..28
Many thanks to Christy Nicholls, our Otago University Scene Breakdowns………………33
Theatre Studies intern, for all her work in creating this
education resource and to the other University interns and Press………………………………..34
our wonderful Fortune School Ambassadors for their insight
and contributions. Discussion Questions………..…39
3
because Tom Stoppard
called his worst ever play
Rock and Roll and in so
doing denigrated the art
form I love more than any
flags with equal irony. other. He peppered his play
A Note from Punk Rock is not ironic. with a soundtrack right out
Punk Rock wasn’t born on of the Rolling Stone
Simon housing estates. Punk Rock Greatest Albums Ever
was born in Art Schools. Made. This was a gesture
Stephens Punk Rock was never about so execrable that I thought
to myself "If you’re going to
redistribution of wealth. It
was about savaging the have Rock and Roll
Punk Rock is not a musical
idea of money. Punk Rock Stoppard. I’m going to have
genre. Punk rock is not
was never stupid. Punk Punk Rock." It just took me
even as simple as a state of
Rock was never graceless. a few years to realise what I
mind. Punk Rock is an
Punk Rock moved like a meant. - Simon Stephens
energy of total
interrogation. Born out of gazelle, read book after
New York City in the wake book after book and looked Simon Stephens’
of the collapse of the at every single kid in class Punk Rock play list:
hippies it spanned the at school and knew they
Scene 1: Kerosene by Big
world on Tom Verlaine’s were wrong and dared to
Black
guitar and Patti Smith’s tell them.
Scene 2: Eric Trip by Sonic
back and John Cale’s
Young Men with broken Youth
violin. Some of the Brits
hearts have always flirted
GOT it but mainly Mark E Scene 3: Loose by The Stooges
with suicide. All over the
Smith. The rest wanted to Scene 4: The Woman Inside by
world now young boys,
be Chuck Berry with Cows
broken hearted and horny
cheaper amplifiers and
are bringing others down Scene 5: Fell in Love with a
swear words. Punk Rock is
with them. The passengers Girl by The White Stripes*
not about swear words.
on their planes. The kids in *We were not granted permission
Punk Rock is not about
their class. The shoppers at to use In Love with a Girl in this
class war. Class War only
the mall. Maybe they production. This song was
ever feeds into structures. replaced by Get Free by The Vines.
should listen to Metallic KO
Punk Rock dismantles instead. Scene 6: Touch Me I’m Sick by
them Class War wears Mudhoney
The truth is I only ever
swastikas and communist Scene 7: Desperate Man Blues
called my play Punk Rock
by Daniel Johnston
In several of these plays
teenagers are key figures,
frequently experiencing
dysfunctional family life
stemming from alcohol
abuse and/or domestic
tragedy in an urban setting
marked by violence and
crime. Infused by Stephens’
love of Chekhov, the plays
are dialogue-driven and
naturalistic, peopled with
truthfully observed, fully
to developing new plays rounded, usually working
Author’s and playwrights. class characters. Although
not strictly part of the ‘in
4
events (in that case the war German-speaking theatre Haddon’s novel, The
in Iraq) form a backdrop to and both Motortown and Curious Incident of the Dog
his characters’ domestic Pornography resulted in in the Night Time, which
experiences. Later him being named Best premiered at the National
examples include Foreign Playwright of their Theatre (and was screened
Pornography (2007), a years by the influential world-wide as part of the
response to the London German theatre magazine, NT Live programme) before
bombings of July 2005, Theater Heute. As a result transferring to the West
Canopy of Stars (2009) part several of his more recent End and Broadway. Still
of a multi-authored piece plays have premiered in running on both sides of
on the war in Afghanistan, Germany or been co- the Atlantic it won the
Three Kingdoms (2011) with produced with European Olivier Award for Best New
its background of European theatres and in some cases Play in London and the
people-trafficking and their stagecraft has moved Outer Critics’ Circle Award
Blindsided (2014) which in a more Continental for Outstanding New Play
returns to a Stockport direction. Examples include on Broadway. Again at its
setting at the time of the Three Kingdoms, Trial of centre is a troubled
rise of Thatcherism. Ubu (2010, in which the teenager from a
anarchist dramatist Jarry’s dysfunctional family
These plays saw a rise in satiric anti-hero is hauled background who finds
his popularity in the before a contemporary himself caught up in a
international court of violent crime.
justice), Wastwater (2011)
and Carmen Disruption Other recent work includes
(2014, a deconstruction of Morning (2012) a coming-of-
Bizet’s opera). age play about teenage
friends about to follow
He has also prepared acting different post-school paths
versions of several and Birdland (2014)
European classics. In centering on a rock star in
addition to Ibsen’s A Doll’s the last stages of a world
House (which formed the tour. His first American
basis of a starry West End commission, though with a
and Broadway production) London setting, is
and his personal favourite Heisenberg, a relationship
play, Chekov’s The Cherry comedy involving a woman
Orchard, he has also and an older man which is
introduced the major living currently playing at the
Norwegian dramatist, Jon Manhattan Theater Club.
Fosse, to English language He is preparing for the
audiences with a version of London opening in
I Am the Wind (2011), and September of Song from
The Funfair (2015), based Faraway in which a young
on Kasimir und Karoline by Dutchman living in New
the between-the-wars York is asked by his mother
Austrian dramatist, Odon to return home following a
von Horvath. bereavement. The music for
the production will be by
Stephens is best known American indie rocker,
internationally for his Mark Eitzel, with whom
popular success, a 2012 Stephens previously
stage adaptation of Mark collaborated on a musical
set in a run-down Brighton something latent about more eloquence and often
hotel, Marine Parade being seventeen. You stand with the safety valve of
(2010). on the edge of a life. You’re economic stability. It was
charged by a desire to live as though there was
In a prolific decade and a and that desire is often something in the
half of writing for the stage contained. I wanted to metabolism of the young in
he has had little time for return to that age again. England, quite apart from
work in other media. His [Spoiler alert] Gus van economic circumstance,
radio plays are Five Letters Sant’s film Elephant is one that was experiencing
Home to Elizabeth (2001) of the most significant films trauma. I was drawn to
and Digging (2003) and for of the last decade. […] The writing about the students I
television he wrote a notion that adolescent fear met there. It was no
version of Pornography and horror should become coincidence to me that the
(2009) and the original not merely suicidal but same kind of educated,
screenplays Dive (2009) murderous chills me. It was affluent, disaffected youths
and Cargese (2013). my fear that propelled me who’d captured my
Punk Rock opened in to want to write. [Alert attention had also been
London at the Lyric ends] I had spent some responsible for some of the
Theatre, Hammersmith, in time in the years before most compelling music of
2009 with the production writing Punk Rock teaching my lifetime. The real punk
then transferring to the playwriting in private spirit, I felt, wasn’t born out
Royal Exchange in schools. In the years before of class dissidence but out
Manchester where it won that I had worked primarily of existential horror. I
the Manchester Evening in comprehensive schools found the name of the play
News Award for Best and prisons and young in that music.”
Production of the year. The offenders’ teams. I was
struck by the way in which Like Stephen Poliakoff
play has since been staged before him, Stephens is
off-Broadway and in a the same fears and doubts
and desires that had famous for writing plays to
number of European cities. a repetitive musical
It received its New Zealand inspired me in the work I’d
done in comprehensive soundtrack. On high rotate
premiere in 2012 in a as he wrote Punk Rock was
production by The Outfit schools were played out in
private schools. Sometimes Kerosene by Big Black.
Theatre Company at The
Basement Theatre in they were played out with Alister McDonald
Auckland. Fortune Theatre Dramaturg
Stephens is a lucid
commentator on his own
work and this is how he
introduces Punk Rock in
the foreword to Volume
Three of his Collected
Plays: “I have spent a long
time over the past ten years
writing about seventeen
year old characters. My
plays, it strikes me, are as
populated by seventeen
year olds as they are by
alcoholics and dead
children. There is
7
pistols, pipe bombs,
Influences knives and small carbon
dioxide canister bombs."
Simon Stephens is very
It was the first massacre
open about his influences
to be played out in real
in writing Punk Rock. Not
time that the public
only the 1999 Columbine
could follow. Afterwards,
shootings, which he says
they took their own
feels “like the start of the
lives. Both them and 10
21st century” but
of their victims lay dead
particularly Gus Van Sant’s
in the school's library.
film Elephant based on http://www.theguardian.com/world/
carefully chosen punk
Columbine shootings. 2009/apr/17/columbine-massacre- song.
(Watch for a sneaky gun-crime-us
9
Get your schools straight
English Schools NZ Schools
State Schools: Public or State schools:
Free tuition with voluntary fees. Government funded and operated.
Until 1870 all schools were privately funded, since then Free tuition though many require a
a state system has developed. Now 93% of English donation of school fees.
students attend government funded state schools.
Comprehensive schools:
Schools whose students are not selected based on
academic achievement or an entrance exam. The
majority of state schools are comprehensives.
A Chat with
Martyn Roberts
The Ambassadors had an
opportunity to have a
chat with Martyn Roberts,
the set and lighting
designer for Punk Rock.
They had some great
questions, learnt about
designing, discussed
Martyn's choices, and to top
it all off - they got to see the
set being built! Here are By using a
some notes from the chat. ceiling,
Martyn wanted to create a in
The script clearly defines feeling of claustrophobia by and one way out of the old
the set should be part of virtually enclosing the library - which is vital.
the senior school, a library students in a cage. The
that no one visits ceiling provides a Martyn asked the
frequently. Martyn has “hermetically sealed Ambassadors if they had
taken this idea further. The environment – a box to common rooms or spaces
library has been neglected contain the action – to in their schools which they
and left to its own devices contain the students." could compare to the old
as if it is a part of the library. Two said their yr.13
school that is untouched, The ceiling adds weight to common room was quite
possibly waiting for the look of the space and secluded and seldom
redevelopment. plays with the sense of visited by teachers. Another
perspective. So from an Ambassador said their
Martyn said he talked with audience's point of view, common rooms were
Lara about going in this the space appears to be actually more like alcoves
direction because, “I don’t slightly bigger than it really with a hall running through
think the students would is. them – quite the opposite of
have got themselves to the being hidden away and
point they do, specifically The ceiling should also
separate from the rest of
William, if there was some assist with sound
the school. They wondered
form of teacher intervention projection, helping the
about the thinking behind
and oversight. They are left actor's voices to be heard
these designs from a new
in a Lord of the Flies and making the gun shots
perspective.
situation and they go shockingly loud.
rampant with their In the original production
The set also includes a
thoughts and feelings and of Punk Rock the set made
secret door through the
emotions.” reference to the dark,
lockers. This is to make the
traditional, old architecture
Martyn said the lack of transitions between the
of British grammar schools.
adult presence is vital, so scenes easier for the actors,
Martyn wanted to go in a
the library has to feel while giving the impression
different direction by using
abandoned, isolated and far that there is only one way
light colours and bright
from adults. lighting, with plenty of light
14
coming through windows. scruffy, with rips in the
He liked the idea that walls from peeling paint.
something so dark can
happen in a space that is The plan is to "dirty up" the
so light. set. Martyn said he was
going to get the actors to
Martyn used coloured add their own little touches
chairs to be bright spots to their lockers and add
against the light graffiti to the set. “These
institutional mint green characters absolutely own
walls. In New Zealand this the space, so their rubbish
green was used in and stuff will be
government institutions everywhere, shoved into
and schools. “It’s a nod to corners, lockers filled with
the green used in old leftover belongings. Overall,
Logan Park Ambassador Jamie Moore watches the
psychiatric hospitals. The it will look slightly feral." build after learning about lighting and designing
colour was thought to be the Punk Rock set.
calming.” The actors will get to
decorate their lockers and, Zealand. He feels that the
Martyn wants to include a during rehearsals, litter the up side of missing a formal
few remnants of the set with their Coke cans, education was that he got
library’s former days, like papers, and coffee cups. to experiment and discover
old school science pictures The 'dirtying up' of the set for himself what works and
of skeletons and eye charts. will be continuous through what doesn’t. He got to
However, Martyn does not the production. break rules without
want the set to be too knowing what the rules
cluttered. The set will be The Ambassadors asked were. He encouraged
Martyn about his training everyone, if they have the
and the way he works. He chance, not to lock
said he first began lighting themselves into
design by helping friends conventions, but to play
when he studied at and try different plans,
Victoria, but there were no ideas, and methods.
lighting or set design
courses at that time in New When asked if he did follow
any rules, he recommended
lighting from back to front,
not from front to back.
On the 23rd June, the gun Every moment with the gun
was shot for the first time is practiced like any other
on stage making us all choreography; where and
jump in surprise! The blood when it is pointed, when
and urine packs were also the safety is turned off and
used for the first time. on.
Props Update
It is just as well, then, that Urine
Although the blood splatter props master George
effect for Nicholas worked Wallace has plenty of spare Little could be done to see
well during experiments in condoms. He said getting a the urine without changing
the Fortune shower, it was prescription for 150 William’s good quality
unreliable on stage. condoms was one of his school trousers. However,
Director, Lara Macgregor most embarrassing the effect still works as the
could not take the chance moments working on props audience can clearly see
that it would not work for Fortune. the pool of water that
correctly and take the collects on the table where
audience out of the reality Nurse: So, this is a lot of William is standing.
condoms.
of the play at this crucial
George: It’s for work. Props like the blood and
moment. So Andrew Nurse: And what is your Urine packs have a
Coshan (Nicholas) will use work?
powerfully visceral affect on
a blood pack too. George: Oh, no, it’s for
blood packs. the audience. But they
Nurse: For blood packs…? must work perfectly or they
could ruin the climactic
scene of the play. So fingers
crossed for well-behaved
blood and urine packs.
20
an actor in Punk Rock, and is Counterpoint’s ukulele Jared Kirkwood - playing
thoroughly enjoying the cabaret Feminist Fridays, as William
challenge of acting on stage Janet Frame in the New
without dancing or singing. Zealand film No Ordinary
Andrew is thrilled to have Sheila, and has worked on
been cast in what is his first Derek Cianfrance’s
professional production and Hollywood film Light
is thankful to all of the Between Oceans as Olga
people at Fortune who have Roennfeldt. This will be her
contributed to his vast first professional onstage
growth and learning as an experience.
actor over the last few
months.
Nicholas Attributes: Sports, tries hard to do his best, cares about academic output, wealthy, afraid of
conflict, confident (with normal school mates) but insecure about romance once Lilly
arrives,
Family: Mum – 45, Primary school teacher
Dad – 48, Solicitor
Brother – 19, first year studying Biophysical Sciences at Durham University
Persona: Ladies man
Hobbies: lacrosse, rugby, watches porn, likes the white stripes, Shakespeare, gym
Classes: PE, General Studies, Maths, History, [Theatre or physics?]
Fears: Confrontation, failure, disappointing the parents & spiders
Notes: Not nasty at any point, only shows courage when he’s in fear of death
He’s allows the bullying to happen, doesn’t stop it, doesn’t encourage it
Lilly Romantically interested, hooked up within a week of meeting her, had sex 23 days after
meeting her.
She’s the new girl at school; she’s desirable, competition between lads for her.
Things to think about:
What does he think about her burns?
Do they talk about William?
William Been at school with for 5 years, not close enough to know specifics about his brother but
knows his parent’s occupations,
Stands up to William in Scene 4 but instantly backs down.
Likes William, thinks he’s a nerd but appreciates his intelligence
Bennett Been at school with for 5 years, best mates, banter between them as long as it’s not at
anyone’s expense, doesn’t like that he’s a bully but too afraid of conflict/getting knocked off
his status to stand up for anything.
Cissy Been at school with for 5 years, comfortable together, don’t hang out outside of class, know
each other through Bennett mostly, not close enough to know what her parents are like.
Chadwick Been at school with for 5 years, thinks he’s a nerd but appreciates his intelligence, laughs
at him but with no intention of making him feel bad.
Tanya Been at school with for 5 years, acquaintances. Don’t talk a lot.
Copley Teaches physics but goes to Macbeth???
University of Otago interns (left to right): Christy Nicholls, Education Liaison Assistant; Jordan Dickson, Directing Assistant;
David Stock, Production Manager Assistant; Mac Veitch, Set and Lighting Assistant; Zoe Robson, Marketing Assistant and
Georgia Davenport, Wardrobe Assistant.
Georgia Davenport, Hamish Annan, who plays Chadwick will do, and
Wardrobe Assistant, talks Chadwick, shares his acting instead work from a true
about her first day working experience, giving us an response. This gives the
at the Fortune Theatre and insight into the professional character colour. What I
speaking into front of a acting world: initially 'think' Chadwick
large group: would do (from the
"The interesting thing impressions based on the
"Tuesday 2 June: First day about professional acting text) should be dropped if it
today!! Well, first official and getting an acting job is is limiting the performance.
day of Punk Rock. I’ve that the expectation to Pre-conceived
already been up in the deliver on your role can characterisations are often
wardrobe with Maryanne a cause stress and limiting. Breaking away
bit when I could fit it in anxiousness. Something from these is very
around my classes, but I've come to learn is the liberating; it frees the
today marks the start of understanding that you're performance and is much
full time Punk Rock employed to deliver. The more interesting to watch."
wardrobe assisting! nerves and second guessing
Maryanne and I had of your ability has to be put - Hamish Annan
decided before the weekend aside to be able to get the
that my call time was 9:15, job done.
as we had our Costume
presentation and I wanted Losing the New
to run over what I needed Zealand accent: an
to say (I was a bit nervous). interesting note is that
After a quick pow-wow with Kiwi's tend to gabble
Maryanne, I headed up to their speech. There is a
the rehearsal room with the tendency for the
mood-board, early as energy used within the
usual, and waited for line to drop off at the
everyone else to arrive. … end of the line. This
After the read through, set does not happen in
and wardrobe had our British speech, so
presentations. I talked when adopting a
about costumes in general Manchester accent I
as well as the specific for had to be conscious of
certain characters. this dialect change; the
Overall, today was a lot of energy has to continue
fun. Hopefully I enjoy through to the end of
myself as much for the rest the line.
of the run. I’m sure I will."
- Georgia Davenport Allowing myself to
explore my own range
of emotional and
response-based
colouring for Chadwick
is important. Uta Hagen's
idea of learning to expand
your image of self or, in
other words, enlarging
your sense of identity,
was valuable to me during
this discovery process. I
am using myself in order
to be somebody else, but I
have to avoid illustrating
a preconceived outer
image of what I think
0
Christy Nicholls, Education the schools involved to have it because they are all
Liaison Assistant, talks students attend Fortune passionate about theatre. I
about her first meeting with events and be part of the am excited for the next few
the Ambassadors: community through the months! I have a feeling it's
"On the 29th March, there representation of their going to be awesome and I
was a members meeting students. It's so great to will learn as much as the
before The War Play. After help Shannon with the Ambassadors do."
the meeting was over, I educational side of theatre. - Christy Nicholls
introduced myself to the There is so much
Ambassadors. It was so information involved and so
great to listen to their plans much to organize.
for the future and their After chatting with the
interest in theatre. They Ambassadors today, it is
have such an awesome clear that the work is worth
opportunity to come to the
Fortune and learn. I never
knew something like this
was available for school
students. They’re interested
in both backstage and
onstage elements of the
theatre world. Coming
along to different events is
a fantastic way to involve
the younger generation in
the theatre and hopefully
encourage them to include
performing arts in their
lives! It's not only a great
opportunity for the
Ambassadors, but it's an
amazing chance for each of
27
The others look at something. Nearly starts
Themes Chadwick.
Chadwick: Do you know
crying. Says nothing.
Leaves. (pg. 20)
31
Tanya: That she singles old library. There is a Violence
you out for those kinds of notable absence of adults
suggestions? until the last scene of the The threat of violence from
Bennett: What the fuck are play. Parents and teachers Bennett runs throughout the
you implying, Miss seem very distant and the play as does the feeling that
Gleason? children are left to cope on several of the characters
Tanya: I'm not implying their own. could snap. This builds up
anything, Mr Francis. I'm the tension until we arrive
just asking a question. Chadwick: Don't you think at the extremely violent
Bennett: Have they put the it'd be better sometimes? climax.
heating on? This fucking Just to end it. I do. I think
room. I need to get outside. about that far more than I William: It works then. I
I need to go and run ought to. I sometimes think did warn you, Bennett.
around a bit. I need to do that when you die it's like Don't say I didn't warn you
PE. I really miss PE. I never you cross this threshold. because I really fucking
thought I'd say that, ever. You cross this door. You did. He points his gun at
(pg. 45) get out of here. Bennett.
Some time. ....
Bennett gets a little closer William: There are other Nicholas: Put the gun
when he talks to Nicholas. ways. Of getting out, you down before anybody gets
Bennett: Have you ever know. (pg. 55) hurt.
wanted to kiss a boy? William: Don't be fucking
Nicholas: No. William: Why won't you let stupid. It feels funny. It's a
Bennett: Never? me stay then? lot lighter than I thought it
Nicholas: No. Chadwick: It's not about would be. It's a lot easier to
Bennett: Liar. letting you do anything. It's aim. Hey, Bennett. Hey,
Nicholas: I'm not lying. just not really my house. Bennett. Get up. Bennett.
Bennett: I wanted to kiss William: I could come Stop fucking crying and
Thom Yorke once. round after the exams then. fucking listen to me.
Nicholas: Yeah? Couldn't I? (pg. 57) 87-88
Bennett: And David Bowie. William: I don't want to
(pg. 84) Nicholas: People will have talk about this anymore.
heard the gunshot. They'll He shoots Bennett twice. He
Isolation/Neglect be here any second. dies. Cissy screams. (pg.
William: Do you think so? I 90)
The students themselves can't anybody coming.
are isolated in a neglected Can you hear
part of the school. They anybody?
have become their own little They listen. (pg. 88)
dysfunctional family in the
Scene
Breakdowns
Scene One
Lilly is new to the school
and William introduces her
to the characters as they
enter the library. We meet
all the student characters.
The characters want to
find out about Lilly and
decide whether to trust her
or not within the group,
and discuss GSCEs.
37
The Southland Times they do. And I'm trying to pattern. It's like a muscle
get in shape. you build over time I guess.
Enter Stage Left: Taylor
Barrett – by Caitlin Salter Q:Why do you like to act? Q: What is the best piece
June 18 2015 of advice you would give
A: I've always loved an aspiring actor?
storytelling and watching
films! I suppose I like it A: Don't let anyone ever tell
because it gives me freedom you, you can't pursue it as
to create. I love that. Just a career. Write down an
quietly, I actually had the action plan and find a way
best teacher at Southland to make it happen. Don't let
Boys High School, Gussie money stop you either, just
Johnson, and she taught work smart, be humble and
me how to act and I'm believe in yourself.
forever grateful for that.
Taylor Barrett will star as
Q: What was your Bennett in Punk Rock,
toughest role? directed by Lara Macgregor
and written by Simon
A: Probably Simon the Stephens. The play is on at
Zealot from The Last Days Fortune Theatre in
Invercargill actor Taylor
Of Judas Iscariot at drama Dunedin from June 27 to
Barrett, who will star in the
school - he was a toughy. July 18.
play Punk Rock at
Dunedin's Fortune Theatre. Q: Do you find it easy to
memorize lines?
Q: How are you preparing
Why/why not?
for your latest role?
A: Not at all (laughs). It's a
A: I went and got a haircut
battle. I'm constantly
and an ear piercing.
reading them over and then
Currently I'm learning a
saying them aloud, trying
Manchester accent and
not to learn them in a
discovering why guys like
Bennett operate the way
Discussion Questions
1. How do you think Lilly feels on her first day at a new school? What are her first
impressions when she meets her potential new friends?
2. The characters can be seen as high school stereotypes. Do they overcome the stereotype
and become fully fleshed characters? For example, does Bennett have more depth to his
character than just being stereotyped as the bully?
3. Although William is very upset that Lilly lied to him, he himself lies throughout the play.
How does he use lies to gain attention and protect himself? Does he believe his lies? When
do reality and fantasy blur for him? What happens when the audience can’t believe what a
character says?
4. Who does William reach out to for help?
5. Director, Lara Macgregor, said the moment Lilly says, "I don't love you", is a turning point
for William. How do the actors show this change
6. How are the opening songs relevant to each scene?
7. Why do you think the characters hang out in the neglected library? Why don't they bother
to pick up any rubbish?
8. Tension and pressure keep steadily building towards the violent climax of Punk Rock.
What leads to William entering the library with a gun?
9. Do parents and teachers have an importance role in the play, even though they are not
seen?
10. Why is it important for Cissy to pass with A's?
11. Who stands up to the bullying?
12. If Chadwick didn't escape from the library, do you think William would have shot him?
13. What do you think happened to Lilly?
0
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