What is the play about? ‘Lemons’ is a play written by Sam Steiner that explores the power of language and the ways in which it can be used to control, manipulate, and censor communication. The play takes place in a world where people are limited to speaking only 140 words per day due to the new ‘Hush Law’ imposed by the government. The story follows the relationship between two characters, Bernadette, and Oliver, as they navigate their new reality and struggle to communicate with one another. Oliver is the activist and musician and Bernadette is a divorce lawyer and pragmatist. The narrative is non-linear with flashbacks or forwards in the pair’s relationship. My interpretations of the script I personally felt one of the most thoughtprovoking moments was when Oliver stated that although in this futuristic world everybody gets the same number of words, it is the working class that need them the most. ‘The powerful stay powerful because nobody has enough words to challenge them, and nepotism multiplies exponentially’. As the play begins to unfold, it becomes clear that language is being used as a tool of political control, with government authorities attempting to silence and shape public opinion by limiting the amount of speech allowed. What I found interesting was how the characters then grappled with the consequences of this restriction on their personal lives and relationships and question the role of language and communication in society as a whole.
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner
A review and comparison of reading a script and watching a play.
by Alice Lewis
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