Constellations: A Play

Constellations comes with praise from high quarters: John Lahr called it “a singular astonishment” (The New Yorker), two different reviewers in the New York Times waxed ecstatic over it (Matt Wolf: “The nearest I’ve come across in ages to a play that feels heaven-sent.” Ben Brantley: “[It] gets in your head and under your skin with an immediacy that sometimes tickles and often hurts.”). It won the London Evening Standard award for best play.What makes Constellations exceptional is its combination of emotional warmth and experimental form. There are two characters, Marianne, a physicist, and Ben, a beekeeper. They meet, dance around each other, either fall in love with each other or don’t, either stay together or don’t, and things happen to Marianne that puts all that has gone on before at risk. The play unrolls like a film clip that can be pulled back and run again, and can be altered, old lines leading to new consequences. Marianne’s starting speech is said three times over in the first five minutes on stage, with different follow-up each time, and so on and so on till the very end of the play. The ending too cycles back and you’re left unsure what’s going on between Marianne and Ben or what it will lead to and if the ending of it all has to be sad or not. This is a very good play.

Enjoyed reading this play very much. Hope I can see it on stage some time. Fascinating ideas relating to certain quantum physics ideas regarding parallel universes and paths that diverge every time we must make a choice. Such strange, complicated ideas are illustrated well in Mr. Payne's play. Highly recommended.

This play truly was something special. If you've ever read or seen "Sure Thing" by David Ives, this runs right down a similar path. However, this is a full-length play... at least it's longer than "Sure Thing." It is grounded in reality which allows each individual scenario to be believable in its own right.I laughed out loud and I felt my heartstrings being plucked by cruel realities and unfortunate timing.*MINOR SPOILER**While this is a celebration of the idea of alternate realities, it deals with the idea that we as humans actually do not have any control over the big picture. Everything will always fall as it always was going to fall. The constellations in the sky are always the same. You can't change the destination, so why not change the journey? Decide what you can, and let fate decide the rest.

An amazing piece. Came in amazing condition and I’m using it for my DDA; it works perfectly.

If you have ever asked yourself the question: what might have been, this is a play for you. It explores the different what ifs, what might have beens for two people who meet and fall in love. Excellent thought- provoking and inspiring read that is set in a multiverse where anything and everything might happen.

I saw the play in Portland, OR with my fiance and absolutely loved the wittiness and concept of the play. Being both science people, sci-fi fans, and nature lovers, the concept of parallel universes intertwining with basic yet still complex life of a beekeeper gave us both chills. Since we ended up getting engaged after the second time we saw this show, I had to get it for our book collection

Saw this a few weeks ago with Jake Gyllenhall and Ruth Wilson and just loved it! It is David Ives' All in the Timing with a British accent. It is funny; it is sad; it is imaginative. It is all of the things most new plays aren't. As with Logan's Red this play will be done all over America and at 70 minutes long with only two actors it is going to be a young actors' dream roll. Buy it and enjoy the wonderful twists of language. You will not be disappointed.

Awesome play with a really interesting flow. I love the sense of timelessness and timeliness. A parallel array of a life lived and all the possibilities that exist at the same time.

I understand the meaning of this book and why it is beautiful but I failed to be grasped by the text which is, obviously mainly copy and paste throughout as the scenes get repeated endlessly. The play adaptation is beautiful but unfortunately as a text, very disappointing. Also, it is very small so considering the high price, not worth it at all.

Was dog-eard and HIGHLIGHTED. Should have been noted in the discription!! Not 'as new' and not ok.

I cannot recommend using Wordery to deliver books enough. They are clear as to their condition and punctual with they're distribution. I have ordered several plays from Wordery in the past and have always found them beyond satisfactory. As to Constellations, it is beautifully written and very clever. I would recommend it to anyone. Although, I say this after having seen it performed, and the experience for someone who is just going to read it may be different, but, in my humble opinion, I found it to be a breath-taking piece of theatre.

Saw this play when it was running London and absolutely loved it so followed up by buying the book. It's a really clever concept but I think you can only fully appreciate it whilst watching it in person.

REally interesting concept (parallel universes?) which is entertaining and thought-provoking.