Keith just wants to say he’s sorry. A lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse has given him a lot to apologise for – particularly to the two people who raised from a child. But as the memories of violence, betrayal, lies and recriminations are raked to the surface, it becomes clear that past actions can have shocking repercussions in the present. Forgiving is easy, forgetting is a different story.‘This could have become far-fetched but Hayes's acidic humour and natural, instinctively paced dialogue stop the play spilling into melodrama. Hayes has a rare talent for creating frighteningly powerful characters who remain spine-tinglingly tangible, despite their extraordinary actions.’ 4 STARS – Time Out ‘…a tense, intimately edgy experience. Step 9 (of 12) , with its numerous soul-gripping revelations, creates a drama that will wrench from its audience deep feelings of empathy, and deeply felt opinions. It's a play that involves you wholly in its central dilemma: how to clench your fist tightly enough to hold firm, but not so tight as to crush? This is thrilling, unrestrained entertainment.’ – onthefringepaper.co.uk ‘ Step 9 (of 12) , a new piece by the Offie-nominated playwright Rob Hayes is the second piece of his I’ve seen… More considered, fluid and conscious than the first yet maintaining his special, dark, comic tone. This is, quite genuinely, fringe theatre at its absolute best, do try and catch this show before it finishes.’ 4 stars– whatsonstage.com
I provided him with things money can’t buy. And now he’s left me the most priceless gift of all. His most precious possessions.Two orphaned twins are forced out of the rural wilderness they know and into a bleak, brutal London that they don’t. Seeking refuge in a dank pub basement, they begin to plan their escape, only to find themselves locked in a nightmarish battle with a grieving stranger over their dead father’s sordid legacy. Shot through with pitch-black humour, A Butcher of Distinction offers a journey into the unique imagination of award-winning young playwright Rob Hayes.‘Fiercely funny’ – Time Out ‘Hayes evokes Renaissance writers like Middleton and Ford in the more gruesome touches… it is brilliant’ – The Public Reviews ‘A disturbing, yet brilliant example of new writing in London’ – Fringe Review ‘There are so many compelling themes in this strange, disturbing new play… This is edgy, bracing work which demands attention.’ – Extra! Extra! ‘A beautifully complex, layered and twisted comedy’ – The Good Review
One-night stands are awkward. One-night stands with animals are more awkward. And when you’re as desperate to please as Bobby, things get awkward as f*ck. He’s just a guy with too much love to give, and a burning desire to give it to consensual adult mammals.
[i]You can’t even shit. Animals shit. Dogs. Insects. Microbes. You’re being outskilled by the most primitive lifeforms on Earth.[/i] Repressed rage. Entrenched isolation. Compacted bowels. Rob Hayes’ trio of interwoven monologues offers a funny, disturbing, and brutally honest assault on the illusion of modern masculinity.