Company

Company is a multigenerational, joyfully honest expression of belonging and how far we sometimes land from home, exploring shifting allegiances, riotous laughter, complicated love, and strong women and enigmatic men.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2024
Publisher: Pushkin Press

This is a celebration of family, of shifting allegiances, riotous laughter, and complicated love. Meet four sisters: Cassandra, Fay, Lela, and Suzette, and their sprawling circle of daughters and sons, parents and cousins, friends and lovers. Here are strong women and enigmatic men whose quirks are written in their children's faces, whose siblings are always getting their shared stories wrong, whose needs weigh heavily: money, status, a lover, a child, or simply company. Journeying from a glittering soirée to a haunted porch, Company is a multigenerational, joyfully honest expression of belonging and of how far we sometimes land from home.

Cassandra, the eldest sister, is a successful businesswoman who has built her empire from scratch. She is driven, ambitious, and always looking for the next big opportunity. However, behind her tough exterior, she is deeply loyal to her family and will do anything to protect them. Fay, the second sister, is a free-spirited artist who has never quite found her place in the world. She is passionate, creative, and always seems to be searching for something more. However, she is also plagued by self-doubt and anxiety, which often hold her back from achieving her full potential. Lela, the third sister, is a stay-at-home mother who is devoted to her children. She is loving, nurturing, and always puts her family's needs before her own. However, she secretly harbors a desire for adventure and excitement, which she hopes to find through her writing. Suzette, the youngest sister, is a social butterfly who is always surrounded by friends and lovers. She is charming, witty, and always knows how to have a good time. However, she is also deeply insecure and often feels like she is not good enough for anyone.

The four sisters are connected by a strong bond of love and loyalty, but their lives are often filled with drama and conflict. Cassandra and Fay are constantly competing for their father's attention and approval, while Lela and Suzette are often at odds over their respective roles as mothers and sisters. Despite their differences, the sisters are always there for each other when times get tough. They may argue and fight, but they never abandon each other.

One of the central themes of Company is the idea of belonging. The sisters are all searching for a sense of identity and purpose in their lives, and they often find that their relationships with others help them to define themselves. Cassandra's relationship with her husband, for example, is a source of great joy and fulfillment for her. He is her partner, confidant, and best friend, and she feels like she has finally found someone who understands her. Fay's relationship with her boyfriend, on the other hand, is a source of conflict and tension. He is a successful artist who is often away from home, and Fay feels like she is constantly waiting for him to return. Lela's relationship with her children is a source of great pride and joy for her. She loves them with all her heart and feels like she has achieved her greatest purpose in life by raising them well. Suzette's relationships with her friends and lovers are a source of both pleasure and pain for her. She loves the attention and validation that they provide her, but she also fears that they will leave her behind someday.

Another central theme of Company is the idea of sacrifice. The sisters are all willing to make sacrifices for each other and for their family. Cassandra, for example, is willing to give up her career to take care of her father when he becomes ill. Fay is willing to sacrifice her artistic ambitions to support her sister's dreams. Lela is willing to sacrifice her personal happiness to be a good mother to her children. Suzette is willing to sacrifice her reputation to be with the man she loves.

The characters in Company are complex and nuanced, and they are all deeply flawed. However, they are also deeply human and relatable, and they all have the capacity for growth and change. Cassandra, for example, is initially cold and distant towards her family, but she gradually warms up to them and becomes more empathetic and understanding. Fay, on the other hand, is initially self-destructive and destructive towards her relationships, but she eventually learns to love herself and to be more honest with others. Lela, initially shy and reserved, gradually becomes more confident and assertive. Suzette, initially superficial and self-absorbed, gradually becomes more introspective and empathetic.

Company is a beautiful and moving play that explores the complexities of family relationships and the search for belonging. It is a play that will resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and it is a testament to the power of theatre to inspire and transform.

In conclusion, Company is a celebration of family, of shifting allegiances, riotous laughter, and complicated love. It is a multigenerational, joyfully honest expression of belonging and of how far we sometimes land from home. Meet four sisters: Cassandra, Fay, Lela, and Suzette, and their sprawling circle of daughters and sons, parents and cousins, friends and lovers. Here are strong women and enigmatic men whose quirks are written in their children's faces, whose siblings are always getting their shared stories wrong, whose needs weigh heavily: money, status, a lover, a child, or simply company. Journeying from a glittering soirée to a haunted porch, Company is a multigenerational, joyfully honest expression of belonging and of how far we sometimes land from home.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 224 x 143 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911590989