{"title":"Books by James Graham","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781350146327","title":"Ink","description":"\u003ci\u003eI want to tell you a story. And it's true. That's what makes it a good fucking story, right, 'cause all the best stories are true.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFleet Street. 1969. The Sun rises.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames Graham'sruthless, red-topped play leads with the birth of this country's most influential newspaper - when a young and rebellious Rupert Murdoch asked the impossible and launched its first editor's quest, against all odds, to give the people what they want.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInk\u003c\/i\u003epremiered at the Almeida Theatre in London before transferring to the West End and later Broadway. It was nominated for both the Olivier and Tony Award for Best New Play.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56297671983477,"sku":"9781350146327","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350146327_3e44ba3b-b337-43b0-926c-15053d947a71.jpg?v=1786018444"},{"product_id":"9781350381261","title":"Best of Enemies","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of the 2022 Critics' Circle Award for Best New Play\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNominated for the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Play\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e“A man should never turn down two things. Sex, and appearing on television.\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1968 – a year of protest that divided America. As two men fight to become the next President, all eyes are on the battle between two others: the cunningly conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and the iconoclastic liberal Gore Vidal. Beliefs are challenged and slurs slung as these political idols feud nightly in a new television format, debating the moral landscape of a shattered nation. Little do they know they’re about to open up a new frontier in American politics, and transform television news forever…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBest of Enemies\u003c\/i\u003e is the electric new play by James Graham (\u003ci\u003eQuiz, Labour of Love\u003c\/i\u003e), directed by Jeremy Herrin, inspired by the documentary by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis revised and updated edition was published to coincide with the West End transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre in November 2022.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56298005037429,"sku":"9781350381261","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350381261_3eb5a25d-4ce0-460e-94b9-0427369cb152.jpg?v=1786018726"},{"product_id":"9781350063679","title":"Labour of Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eLabour MP David Lyons cares about modernisation and \"electability\"... his constituency agent, Jean Whittaker cares about principles and her community. Set away from the Westminster bubble in the party's traditional northern heartlands, this is a clash of philosophy, culture and class against the backdrop of the Labour Party over 25 years, as it moves from Kinnock through Blair into Corbyn... and beyond?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis razor-sharp political comedy from James Graham was produced by Michael Grandage Company and Headlong and received its world Premiere at the Noël Coward Theatre in September 2017.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56298011984245,"sku":"9781350063679","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350063679_64cd12ab-eb41-42cc-b6d9-d0703ebc66b5.jpg?v=1786018110"},{"product_id":"9781474284134","title":"Connections 500","description":"\u003cp\u003eDrawing together the work of 12 leading playwrights, this \u003ci\u003eNational Theatre Connections\u003c\/i\u003e anthology celebrates highlights from 21 years of the Connections festival with a retrospective selection of plays. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeaturing work by some of the most prolific playwrights of the 20th and 21st centuries, and together in one volume, the anthology offers young performers between the ages of 13 and 19 an engaging selection of plays to perform, read or study.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach play has been specifically commissioned by the National Theatre's literary department over the years, with the young performer  in mind. In 2016, these plays were then performed by approximately 500 schools and youth  theatre companies across the UK and  Ireland, in partnership with  multiple professional partner regional theatres at which the works were showcased. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe anthology contains all 12 of the play scripts; notes from the writer and director of each play, addressing the themes and ideas behind the play; and production notes and exercises for the drama groups.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis year's anniversary anthology  includes plays by Snoo Wilson, Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt; Simon Armitage; Jackie Kay; Patrick Marber; Mark Ravenhill; Bryony Lavery \u0026amp; Frantic Assembly; Davey Anderson; James Graham; Katori Hall; Carl Grose; Stacey Gregg; and Lucinda Coxon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301153288565,"sku":"9781474284134","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781474284134_d6086446-4a05-4177-8b9d-45776cf71b16.jpg?v=1786020733"},{"product_id":"9781350504714","title":"Boys from the Blackstuff","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGizza job. Go on, gizzit, go ‘head, giz it if you’ve got it, giz it, I can do it. Giz it then. Go ‘head, gizza job.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e80s\u003cbr\u003eLiverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do? Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLife is tough but the lads can play the game. Find the jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers' and see if you can have a laugh along the way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e40 years after Alan Bleasdale’s ground-breaking television series of the same name was essential viewing, this edition is published to coincide with the co-production between the Liverpool Royal Court and London's National Theatre, in April 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312221434229,"sku":"9781350504714","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350504714_35814690-e212-4296-b045-0c04abc31d16.jpg?v=1786018325"},{"product_id":"9781350567856","title":"Dear England","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play 2023\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Best New Play at the Olivier Awards 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Uplifting, funny and more entertaining than a World Cup final.\" - \u003ci\u003eTatler\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt's time to change the game.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can't England's men win at their own game?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe team has the worst track record for penalties in the world and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames Graham's 'rousing new play' (\u003ci\u003eTatler\u003c\/i\u003e) is a fast-moving portrayal of Gareth Southgate's reign as England football manager that presents a gripping examination of both nation and game. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis revised edition, updated by Graham to reflect Gareth Southgate's final chapter as England manager, was published to coincide with the return of\u003ci\u003e Dear England \u003c\/i\u003eto the National Theatre in 2025 and subsequent run at Lowry, Salford.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312222024053,"sku":"9781350567856","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350567856_039ea5fe-44bc-4ce4-87bc-5612e92daba1.jpg?v=1786018513"},{"product_id":"dear-england","title":"Dear England","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play 2023\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Best New Play \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eat the Olivier Awards 2024 \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIt’s time to change the game.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe team has the worst track record for penalties in the world and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames Graham’s ‘rousing new play’ (Tatler) is a fast-moving portrayal of Gareth Southgate’s reign as England football manager that presents a gripping examination of both nation and game. Uplifting, funny and more entertaining than a World Cup final.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis edition was published to coincide with the West End transfer of \u003ci\u003eDear England\u003c\/i\u003e in October 2023, following its world premiere at the National Theatre in June 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57483566317941,"sku":"9781350435292","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350435292.jpg?v=1786178753"},{"product_id":"punch","title":"Punch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Best New Play at the Olivier Awards 2026\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Best Play at the London Standard Theatre Awards 2026\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of Best New Play at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2026\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Another state-of-the-nation masterpiece from James Graham\" - \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne life has been wasted, because of this.  Senseless, no reason at all. So where’s  the sense in wasting another? If we can  ‘help’ him?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJacob Dunne, a teenager from Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless. Searching for answers, Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBased on Jacob Dunne's powerful true-life account of the justice system, \u003ci\u003ePunch\u003c\/i\u003e is a play igniting discussions everywhere, from theatres and courthouses to the House of Commons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis edition is published to coincide with the transfer to London's Young Vic in March 2025, following its original commission and production by Nottingham Playhouse.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57483578966389,"sku":"9781350553408","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781350553408.jpg?v=1786178790"},{"product_id":"james-graham-plays-3","title":"James Graham Plays 3","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"James Graham is a political playwright so on top of his game that you kind of take it on faith that any play he comes up with will be a banger, regardless of how esoteric the subject.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(Time Out) The third collection of James Graham's plays brings together four West End hits and a Tony Award Best Play nominee into one unforgettable anthology of political, national and human stories perceptively told and expertly crafted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eINK: \u003ci\u003e\"It's a sharply written, vibrantly theatrical, boisterously performed piece of work. And while it vividly recaptures the now extinct world of Fleet Street — with its adrenalized and testosterone-heavy mix of news hounds and hacks, idealism and cynicism, professional pride and boozy waggishness — the play's depiction of the rise of a certain brand of populism and its immediately detrimental effect on British society makes it profoundly of the moment.\"\u003c\/i\u003e - Hollywood Reporter Labour of Love: \u003ci\u003e\"James Graham [...] has a rare capacity to recreate pivotal moments from our past. In his brilliant new play, however, he adds another weapon to his armoury. He not only provides a portrait of the historic ups and downs of the Labour party; he also charts, with surprising tenderness, a turbulent relationship between an MP and his constituency agent\".\u003c\/i\u003e - Guardian Quiz: \u003ci\u003e\"Can we truly believe our eyes and ears, or do we only ever see what we want to see? In James Graham’s glittering play you can take your pick from an array of alternative facts, but you might struggle to find the truth among the razzle-dazzle. One thing’s for sure, though — Quiz is a winner.\u003c\/i\u003e\" - TimesBest of Enemies: \u003ci\u003e\"History comes hurtling to life in “Best of Enemies,” the latest attempt from the prolific playwright James Graham to put flesh on the bare bones of the past. Chronicling a sequence of televised face-offs that transfixed the United States in 1968, Graham once again shows a gift for mining the annals of politics and journalism for real theatrical gems. The result [...] is the most riveting play in London just now.\"\u003c\/i\u003e - New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57503782109557,"sku":"9781350401051","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-james-graham.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}