A hilarious social satire about liberal hypocrisy from an American writer whose work has been staged by the world famous Steppenwolf Theatre.

A cosy family Thanksgiving dinner for six. But someone – or something – is leaving bite marks in the avocados. Clay and Kelly's daughter Kayla has an itch and Carol can't remember who played Gandhi.

The Pain and the Itch holds up a mirror to those who want it all: moral superiority and a widescreen TV.

'a devastating indictment of lip-service liberalism' – Independent

'a brilliantly satirical piece that gleefully skewers the values of the impeccably liberal rich… a terrifically entertaining, sometimes disturbing play that asks uncomfortable questions about the way the West lives now' – Daily Telegraph

'a latter-day variation of Ibsen's Ghosts, with the bonus of good jokes' – Observer

'Satires seldom come so dark, nor tragedies so hilarious… The writing has a whiplash ferocity and a poisonous sense of humour… the ultimate American family play' – Sunday Times

Bruce Norris

Books