The Ugly One

Published as a programme text to coincide with the British premiere at the Royal Court Theatre, London. The play forms part of Dominic Coooke's commitment as the new artistic director to staging international work. The Royal Court is historically one of the most important theatres in the UK for new writing and first brought the author's work to recognition here in 2000. The play is a scintillating comedy that will have a strong appeal to theatre audiences. 'Brilliantly clever and funny ... exhilarating.' Independent

A scintillating absurdist comedy about beauty, identity and getting ahead in life, published as a programme text for its British premiere at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in September 2007.Lette thought he was normal. When the extent of his ugliness is revealed he turns to a plastic surgeon for help. But after the bandages come off, Lette soon learns that there is such a thing as too beautiful. 'Owing glancing debts to Mary Shelley and HG Wells, Mayenburg's 60-minute play squarely hits any number of targets: our society's obsession with external beauty, the brutality of capitalism, and the danger of treating defining organs like mechanical parts. But, deftly translated from German by Maja Zade, the play makes its points with the lightest of touches.' Guardian The Ugly One is a scalpel-sharp comedy on beauty, identity and getting ahead in life. The play is published as a programme text edition to coincide with its British premiere at the Royal Court Theatre, London, on 13 September 2007.