Bottleneck

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

"An explosive tale of the tricky journey to manhood - [Luke Barnes] emerges from this year's Fringe as a red-hot writing talent to watch.' Independent 'An impressive emerging talent - in its strongest moments, it completely engrosses. Its climax is an eye-watering account of the terrifying events of that day from the point of view of a boy whose life is irrevocably changed thereafter. This is poignant, unflinching stuff.' Daily Telegraph 'This coming-of-age tale, set in Liverpool 1989, is full of verve and fizz - It's a simple and moving story, but Barnes crams it with detail about working-class scouse life' - Guardian 'The mood darkens convincingly throughout Luke Barnes's piece as a world of innocence is shattered irrevocably' Evening Standard 'An all-too-familiar scar becomes lived experience - it pops with vivid, expressionist details' Financial Times 'Devastating and complex. The writing is nuanced and intelligent - urgent, fresh, full of rage - razor-sharp writing - [a] furious snarl of a play' Exuent"