A CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

The prolific and award-winning playwright Simon Stephens presents a paean to his home town of Stockport in this hard-hitting yet hope-filled drama. Making its debut at Manchester's Royal Exchange in 2002, it now takes to the stage at the Lyttleton Theatre, part of the National Theatre venues.

Following the trials and tribulations of the fiery Rachel Keats as she navigates an unstable life, the play is in episodic form, each episode a different time in Kate's turbulent life. Though these chapters are separate, they demonstrate Stephens' refined command of rhythm, motif and engaging story- lines. Long-time Stephens collaborator and Tony-award winning director Marianne Elliott shapes this production with affection and great subtlety.

WHAT IS PORT ABOUT?

The play begins in 1988. Rachael Keats is a restless and curious 11-year old, sitting with her mum and brother in the car, her dad having locked the family out while having a breakdown. It's the eve of her mother's abandonment; an event that will hang over Kate's all future interactions and relationships.

These connections are chronicled over the next 14 years of Rachel's life as she faces death, loneliness, marriage, a criminal brother and the loss of true love. However, its Rachel's unfailing tenacity and resilience that brings hope to the dark streets of Stockport in this poignantly tender look at life, loss and womanhood.