Saved (Methuen Modern Plays) (Modern Classics) Book

Described by its author as 'almost irresponsibly optimistic' "Saved" is a play set in London in the sixties. Its subject is the cultural poverty and frustration of a generation of young people on the dole and living on council estates. The play was first staged privately in November 1965 at the Royal Court Theatre before members of the English Stage Society in a time when plays were still censored. With its scenes of violence including the stoning of a baby "Saved" became a notorious play and a cause celebre. In a letter to the "Observer" Sir Laurence Olivier wrote: '"Saved" is not a play for children but it is for grown-ups and the grown-ups of this country should have the courage to look at it.' "Saved" has had a marked influence on a whole new generation writing in the 1990s. Edward Bond is 'a great playwright - many particularly in continental Europe would say the greatest living English playwright - "Independent".