Breaking the Silence

by Stephen Poliakoff

Published 8 November 1984

Set in Russia shortly after the Revolution, Stephen Poliakoff's intriguing and moving play has an autobiographical background in that it is inspired by what happened to his own family in Russia. Produced first by the RSC at the Pit and later transferring to the Mermaid the play follows the material and spiritual adjustments the upper middle class Pesiakoff family has to make to their life when they are forced to live in a railway carriage for many years. Although ostensibly employed as Telephone Examiner, father spends his time and government money on trying to record sound on to film. With the death of Lenin, however, the research must be abandoned and the family is forced to flee.


Hitting Town

by Stephen Poliakoff

Published 13 May 1976

Hitting Town opens with Ralph, a student drop-out from Birmingham University, dropping in unexpectedly on his sister, Clare, in her Leicester bed-sit. Together they decide to "hit the town". But against a background of commercial radio, city-centre precincts, Wimpy Bars and dangerous practical jokes, the incestuous relationship that develops between them seems the only way of affirming their vitality...2 women, 1 man


Blinded by the Sun

by Stephen Poliakoff

Published 20 April 2001
The retiring professor in a university chemistry department chooses Al, a mediocre scientist but a brilliant administrator, to succeed him as department head. Al begins reorganizing the department, but finds that Christopher, his peer and rival, and Elinor, his one-time teacher, are unwilling to change the isolated way they work. Christopher announces a major breakthrough, which should assure prosperity - but has disastrous results.4 women, 4 men

City Sugar

by Stephen Poliakoff

Published 1 February 1978
Leonard, a disk jockey, is increasingly disillusioned with the falsity of his job of provding fantasies for his devoted teenage listeners. So frustrated is he that he tries to force Nicola, a contestant in a stupid competition, to realise the idiocy of the whole set-up - but what is the result when fantasies are destroyed?3 women, 4 men