Spur of the Moment (play)
Encyclopedia
Spur of the Moment is the debut play from Anya Reiss
who wrote it at age 17. It premiered at the Royal Court Theatre
London
in 2010 and was directed by Jeremy Herrin
.
, Delilah Evans is about to turn 13 and spends the evening singing along to High School Musical
with her friends and fantasizing about the charming 21 year old lodger. Her parents, Nick and Vicky, are viciously arguing over Nick's affair with his older boss and consequential sacking. During a family argument on the Friday evening, Delilah kisses Daniel unseen to her parents. The next day, Daniel's girlfriend Leonie has come to stay but their relationship is soon shown to be strained and is repeatedly interrupted by Delilah's friends. Delilah secretly declares her love to an appalled Daniel but when Leonie leaves the house for a while, he succumbs to temptation and passionately kisses Delilah repeatedly. Horrified by his own actions, he declares that he is a 'pathetic loser' and lists the crimes of his past including self harm. The situation deteriorates on Delilah's birthday as Daniel threatens to leave, which Delilah counters with a threat to tell her parents everything. Vicky breaks down to her daughter about the state of her marriage overheard by Nick, and the pair call a temporary truce, admitting that they both still love each other. Daniel is under pressure and leaves but only after Leonie has witnessed an argument between Daniel and Delilah. She demands to know what is going on from the Evans family. Delilah says she was going to lie and say that Daniel had done something to her if he decided to leave, which he was intending to do anyway, saving Daniel but appalling her family.
in 2009 with Jeremy Herrin
directing as part of a celebration of the Night Less Ordinary under 26 ticket scheme's success. With Russell Tovey
, Gina McKee
, Simon Paisley Day
and Flora Spencer-Longhurst.
The play then received its premier at the upstairs Royal Court Theatre
in London
in 2010. It was directed again by Jeremy Herrin
starring Shannon Tarbet
, Sharon Small
, Kevin Doyle
, James McArdle
, Aisling Loftus
, Rosie Day
, Jordan Loughran and Yasmin Paige
. The play then transferred for a five show run as part of the Royal Court
's Theatre Local project at Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre at the end of August 2010.
An extended sell out at the Royal Court Theatre
in London
and received generally favorable reviews receiving 5 stars in the Evening Standard
and Dominic Cavendish of the Daily Telegraph saying
It won the 2010 TMA Awards
best new play
and Reiss both the Critics' Circle Theatre Award and Evening Standard Awards for Most Promising Playwright. with James McArdle
and Shannon Tarbet
nominated for Outstanding Newcomer and Jeremy Herrin
for Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards
in 2010.
Anya Reiss
Anya Reiss is an award-winning British playwright who has also voiced ambitions to become an actress. She is the youngest playwright ever to have had a play staged in London....
who wrote it at age 17. It premiered at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 2010 and was directed by Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin is an English theatre director and currently the Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London. He trained as a theatre director at both the Royal Court and the National Theatre...
.
Plot
In a suburban home in SurreySurrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, Delilah Evans is about to turn 13 and spends the evening singing along to High School Musical
High School Musical
High School Musical is a 2006 American television film, first in the High School Musical film franchise. Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and...
with her friends and fantasizing about the charming 21 year old lodger. Her parents, Nick and Vicky, are viciously arguing over Nick's affair with his older boss and consequential sacking. During a family argument on the Friday evening, Delilah kisses Daniel unseen to her parents. The next day, Daniel's girlfriend Leonie has come to stay but their relationship is soon shown to be strained and is repeatedly interrupted by Delilah's friends. Delilah secretly declares her love to an appalled Daniel but when Leonie leaves the house for a while, he succumbs to temptation and passionately kisses Delilah repeatedly. Horrified by his own actions, he declares that he is a 'pathetic loser' and lists the crimes of his past including self harm. The situation deteriorates on Delilah's birthday as Daniel threatens to leave, which Delilah counters with a threat to tell her parents everything. Vicky breaks down to her daughter about the state of her marriage overheard by Nick, and the pair call a temporary truce, admitting that they both still love each other. Daniel is under pressure and leaves but only after Leonie has witnessed an argument between Daniel and Delilah. She demands to know what is going on from the Evans family. Delilah says she was going to lie and say that Daniel had done something to her if he decided to leave, which he was intending to do anyway, saving Daniel but appalling her family.
Characters
| Character | Original Cast, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Director | Jeremy Herrin Jeremy Herrin Jeremy Herrin is an English theatre director and currently the Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London. He trained as a theatre director at both the Royal Court and the National Theatre... |
| Delilah Evans | Shannon Tarbet Shannon Tarbet Shannon Tarbet is a British actress from Brighton. Having studied at K-Bis Theatre College in Brighton she left school and worked in a bookies. She came to public attention in 2010 with her critically acclaimed professional stage debut as Delilah Evans in Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss directed... |
| Nick Evans | Kevin Doyle Kevin Doyle (actor) Kevin Doyle is a British actor. He is known for playing as John Parr in the TV series The Lakes and for playing the Crawley's servant Joseph Molesley in the TV series Downton Abbey, as well as many other roles.-Stage:... |
| Vicky Evans | Sharon Small Sharon Small Sharon Small is a Scottish actress acclaimed for her dramatic work in film, radio, theatre and television. Her best-known TV role is that of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George.-Education and personal life:Small... |
| Daniel Mast | James McArdle James McArdle James McArdle is a British actor from Glasgow. Having worked as a child actor in films he trained at RADA graduating in 2010. In his graduation year he appeared in Macbeth at The Globe and starred in the summer smash hit Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London, since... |
| Leonie Fowler | Aisling Loftus Aisling Loftus Aisling Loftus is an English actress. She is the daughter of Irish parents, Paddy and Eileen, and has an older sister, Aoife.... |
| Naomi | Rosie Day Rosie Day Rosie Day is a British actress. She is best known for playing Nicolette in CITV's Bernard's Watch and Bernard. She has recorded over 50 voice overs for adverts, and serials. She also does the voice of Laura Large in the successful CBeebies show The Large Family with Outnumbered teen star Tyger... |
| Emma M | Jordan Loughran |
| Emma G | Yasmin Paige Yasmin Paige Yasmin Paige is an English actress who is best known for her role as Maria in The Sarah Jane Adventures, a spin-off from the BBC science fiction television programme Doctor Who. Having acted and modelled since the age of four, she made her screen debut in the 2003 film Wondrous Oblivion... |
Premier
The play had a 20 minute reading at the Royal CourtRoyal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in 2009 with Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin is an English theatre director and currently the Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London. He trained as a theatre director at both the Royal Court and the National Theatre...
directing as part of a celebration of the Night Less Ordinary under 26 ticket scheme's success. With Russell Tovey
Russell Tovey
Russell George Tovey is an English actor with numerous television, film and stage credits. Tovey is best known for playing the role of werewolf George Sands in the BBC's supernatural drama Being Human which started in 2008...
, Gina McKee
Gina McKee
Georgina "Gina" McKee is an English actor known for her television roles in Our Friends in the North , The Lost Prince and The Forsyte Saga ; and her portrayal of Bella in the film Notting Hill ....
, Simon Paisley Day
Simon Paisley Day
Simon Paisley Day also known as Simon Day is a British stage and screen actor. His most recent work includes Timon Of Athens , Entertaining Mr Sloane , Private Lives and Twelfth Night .-Film:-Theatre:His stage credits inclue;-TV:-External links:* on IMDB* - National Theatre...
and Flora Spencer-Longhurst.
The play then received its premier at the upstairs Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 2010. It was directed again by Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin is an English theatre director and currently the Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London. He trained as a theatre director at both the Royal Court and the National Theatre...
starring Shannon Tarbet
Shannon Tarbet
Shannon Tarbet is a British actress from Brighton. Having studied at K-Bis Theatre College in Brighton she left school and worked in a bookies. She came to public attention in 2010 with her critically acclaimed professional stage debut as Delilah Evans in Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss directed...
, Sharon Small
Sharon Small
Sharon Small is a Scottish actress acclaimed for her dramatic work in film, radio, theatre and television. Her best-known TV role is that of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George.-Education and personal life:Small...
, Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle (actor)
Kevin Doyle is a British actor. He is known for playing as John Parr in the TV series The Lakes and for playing the Crawley's servant Joseph Molesley in the TV series Downton Abbey, as well as many other roles.-Stage:...
, James McArdle
James McArdle
James McArdle is a British actor from Glasgow. Having worked as a child actor in films he trained at RADA graduating in 2010. In his graduation year he appeared in Macbeth at The Globe and starred in the summer smash hit Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London, since...
, Aisling Loftus
Aisling Loftus
Aisling Loftus is an English actress. She is the daughter of Irish parents, Paddy and Eileen, and has an older sister, Aoife....
, Rosie Day
Rosie Day
Rosie Day is a British actress. She is best known for playing Nicolette in CITV's Bernard's Watch and Bernard. She has recorded over 50 voice overs for adverts, and serials. She also does the voice of Laura Large in the successful CBeebies show The Large Family with Outnumbered teen star Tyger...
, Jordan Loughran and Yasmin Paige
Yasmin Paige
Yasmin Paige is an English actress who is best known for her role as Maria in The Sarah Jane Adventures, a spin-off from the BBC science fiction television programme Doctor Who. Having acted and modelled since the age of four, she made her screen debut in the 2003 film Wondrous Oblivion...
. The play then transferred for a five show run as part of the Royal Court
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
's Theatre Local project at Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre at the end of August 2010.
An extended sell out at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and received generally favorable reviews receiving 5 stars in the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
and Dominic Cavendish of the Daily Telegraph saying
"My jaw drops. This is the most accomplished debut from a young playwright I’ve ever had the pleasure to see...a fresh, funny and blistering indictment of the way we live, parent and grow to maturity now. Whether you’re 17 or 70, go marvel."
It won the 2010 TMA Awards
TMA Awards
The TMA Awards, established in 1991, are presented annually by the Theatrical Management Association in recognition of creative excellence and outstanding work in United Kingdom theatres...
best new play
and Reiss both the Critics' Circle Theatre Award and Evening Standard Awards for Most Promising Playwright. with James McArdle
James McArdle
James McArdle is a British actor from Glasgow. Having worked as a child actor in films he trained at RADA graduating in 2010. In his graduation year he appeared in Macbeth at The Globe and starred in the summer smash hit Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London, since...
and Shannon Tarbet
Shannon Tarbet
Shannon Tarbet is a British actress from Brighton. Having studied at K-Bis Theatre College in Brighton she left school and worked in a bookies. She came to public attention in 2010 with her critically acclaimed professional stage debut as Delilah Evans in Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss directed...
nominated for Outstanding Newcomer and Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin
Jeremy Herrin is an English theatre director and currently the Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre in London. He trained as a theatre director at both the Royal Court and the National Theatre...
for Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards
Evening Standard Awards
The Evening Standard Theatre Awards, established in 1955, are presented annually for outstanding achievements in London Theatre. Sponsored by the Evening Standard newspaper, they are announced in late November or early December...
in 2010.