The Pain and the Itch (NHB Modern Plays)

A hilarious social satire about liberal hypocrisy from an American writer whose work has been staged by the world famous Steppenwolf Theatre. A cosy family Thanksgiving dinner for six. But someone - or something - is leaving bite marks in the avocados. Clay and Kelly's daughter Kayla has an itch and Carol can't remember who played Gandhi. The Pain and the Itch holds up a mirror to those who want it all: moral superiority and a widescreen TV. 'a devastating indictment of lip-service liberalism' - Independent 'a brilliantly satirical piece that gleefully skewers the values of the impeccably liberal rich... a terrifically entertaining, sometimes disturbing play that asks uncomfortable questions about the way the West lives now' - Daily Telegraph 'a latter-day variation of Ibsen's Ghosts, with the bonus of good jokes' - Observer 'Satires seldom come so dark, nor tragedies so hilarious... The writing has a whiplash ferocity and a poisonous sense of humour... the ultimate American family play' - Sunday Times