The Slab Boys Trilogy
The Slab Boys Trilogy by John Byrne, published by Faber & Faber in 2003, is a collection of plays that spans the 1950s to the 70s, capturing the rebellious spirit of a post-war generation. Set against a backdrop of cultural icons like James Dean and Elvis, the trilogy explores themes of hope and despair through the lens of life in a slab room, where the characters navigate their dreams, pranks, and the complexities of youth.
Readers will find a vivid portrayal of the daily lives of Phil and Spanky, who emerge as a classic vaudeville double-act amidst the challenges of their environment. The plays delve into the dynamics of friendship, ambition, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, all while reflecting the societal changes of the era. With 330 pages in English, this edition presents a significant work that has been recognized as one of Scotland’s defining literary contributions of the twentieth century.
Official synopsis Publisher
Spanning the 1950s to the 70s, the plays capture the rebellious mood of a post-war generation growing up to a backdrop of James Dean, Elvis, sharp-suited glamour, hope and despair. John Byrne takes the slab room he worked in and makes it pure theatre: the scams, the dreams, the aloof but gorgeous girl, the despair of life back home, the obligatory tormenting of the office ‘weed’, and the mandatory boy chat and pranks all help the day to pass. Phil and Spanky explode onto the stage in a classic vaudeville double-act. Now considered one of Scotland’s defining literary works of the twentieth century, the Slab Boys Trilogy premiegrave;red at the Traverse back in the late 1970s and early 80s taking Scotland, then Britain, and then Broadway quickly by storm. The Traverse revived the Slab Boys Trilogy for the theatre’s fortieth anniversary in November 2003.
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