Hench is sixteen, Bobbie is thirteen. They live alone with their dog, Taliban, playing PlayStation, watching porn; surviving. Sometimes their chaotic mum, Maggie, visits; occasionally collapsing on the front lawn. But when Jenny knocks on the door, the boys discover a world far beyond what they know - full of love, possibility, and danger.

 

Anna Jordan's Bruntwood Prize-winning play, Yen, is an explosive look at childhood lived without boundaries and the consequences of being forced to grow up on your own. Making its Newcastle debut, Yen is directed by Connor Goodwin.

 

 

 

Creative Team

 

Writer - Anna Jordan

Director - Connor Goodwin

Assistant Director – Jess Gough

Designer - Davy String

Casting Director - Annalise Bradshaw

Fight Director - Adam Owers

 

This is a production in association with Divided Culture Co.

 

Hench played by Adam Owers

Bobbie played by Jonny Grogan

Jennifer played by Lucy Eve Mann

Maggie played by Vicky Binns

 

Under theatrical license with Curtis Brown Group Ltd.

 

 

Reviews

 

Yen reviews

(from previous runs – see link here for more reviews - Reviews for YEN at The Royal Court | Anna Jordan):

 

Five-star The Guardian – ‘ A consummately well-crafted drama’ Yen five-star review – brutal but tender study of brotherhood | Theatre | The Guardian

 

Five-star British Theatre - ‘A bruising and at times hilarious piece of theatre that delivers a huge punch of perspective’: BritishTheatre.com

 

Four-star Time Out –  ‘Savage and completely devastating’: Yen | Theatre in London

 

Four-star The Express – ‘Superbly intense and nuanced production: Theatre reviews: Yen and Herons | Theatre | Entertainment | Express.co.uk

 

Four-star The Independent – ‘Terrifying, witty, and compassionate’: Yen, Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court, London, review: Compassionate and witty study of growing up alone | The Independent | The Independent

 

‘An unforgettable play filled with strange beauty’ Exeunt: Review: Yen at Royal Court Theatre – Exeunt Magazine

 

‘A terrific, breakneck play’ Vulture: Theater Review: In Yen, London Misery Makes Great Company

 

 

Reviews of our other work – Toxic (name of show)

 

Four-star North West End ‘It will make you laugh, cry, and keep you hooked from start to finish: Toxic – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse - North West End UK

 

Canal St Media ‘A remarkable achievement’: Toxic Play Review Manchester - Canal Street Manchester

 

Four-star A Younger Theatre ‘A truly compelling watch’: Review: Toxic, The Garrick Theatre. - A Younger Theatre

 

Leeds Living ‘An absorbing play of significant importance’: Toxic: at Carriageworks Theatre on 20 November | Leeds Living

 

 

About the Company

 

Yen is written by Anna Jordan, whose other writing credits include: Succession, One Day, Killing Eve, and Sweetpea. Yen won the 2013 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and was shortlisted for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Anna is a prolific, internationally-acclaimed writer across theatre, TV, and film.

 

Yen is directed by Connor Goodwin, an award-winning theatre Director whose other directing credits include: Toxic (2021 & 2024), Cleansed (2022), and a former remounting of Yen in 2023. Connor is also the Creative Director of Divided Culture Co.

Yen is produced in Association with Divided Culture Co., an award-winning theatre, film, and creative education company based in Salford. Divided Culture Co. exclusively work with Northern talent to bring the stories, voices, and creative talent of northern communities to national audiences.

 

Website Divided Culture Co. | Award-winning theatre, film & creative educators

 

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