Three ambitious young New Yorkers struggle with sex and desire over Christmas in the East Village.

“Real lives, Other People suggests, are more confused, scattered, odd, lonely and droll than you would guess from musicals that sentimentalize poverty or from movies that romanticize violence or, indeed, from most other products of the American entertainment factory. Edgy, troubled characters, sharply realistic dialogue, and a distinctive milieu.” – Benedict Nightengale, Times of London

“Shinn wittily represents a hot-shot Manhattan arty world, where his gay men and straight woman in their mid-20s are trying to make it. The ‘it’ in question refers to love or success. Unfortunately nerves, narcissism and narcotics cloud their eyes and judgment. A cutting-edge comedy.” – Nicholas De Jongh, Evening Standard

“The secret of Shinn’s success is in the way he exploits the dramatic gap between what is said and what is left unsaid. Writing like this is rare.” – David Benedict, Independent

world premiere: Royal Court Theatre, 2000

pictured: Manufacture des Abbesses (Paris), 2009. Directed by Gilbert Désveaux. Photos by Lionel Blancafort.

This play is also included in the anthology “Where Do We Live and other plays.”

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