Overview

'The first thing you should know is that this is true. It's what actually happened. I know it seems like it's a story – inside of a story – inside of a story – but that's how it is for most people. At least the ones in here.' Nick's got a story to tell you. About how a routine traffic stop turned into a conviction for murder. About how he spent the next twenty-two years on Death Row. About how he finally petitioned the court, seeking not an appeal, but for his execution date. And about what happened next… Based on the extraordinary true story of Nick Yarris – and on David Sington's documentary film about him –  Lindsey Ferrentino's play The Fear of 13 was first performed at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in 2024, directed by Justin Martin and starring Adrien Brody. This edition of the play contains an exclusive afterword by Nick Yarris about what he learned living on Death Row for over two decades. Lindsey Ferrentino is an American playwright and screenwriter whose work – including Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans and The Queen of Versailles, among others – have been performed to great acclaim around the world. 'Lindsey Ferrentino writes with a moral conscience second to none among her generation of playwrights' Variety 'A brave playwright… a writer of dauntless conviction whose unflinching portraits are hard to come by outside of journalism' The New York Times 'Devastating... a wrenching portrait of death row injustice... shards of jagged humour mingle with moments of farce but also exquisite intimacy... unmissable' — Telegraph 'Belongs in a league of its own... Ferrentino has turned a solo narrative into a richer ensemble piece... contains a hint of the miraculous' — The Times 'Astounding... prises apart the justice system through the shocking reality of a haunting lived experience... Ferrentino's script gallops with innovative charm... one of the best new plays of the year... a thrilling premiere' — WhatsOnStage 'A cracking piece of storytelling... eschews one-man-play cliches... beautifully theatrical' — Time Out 'Incredibly powerful scenes' — Guardian 'Something special... a memorable evening of theatre.' — Theatre Weekly

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Reviews

'Devastating... a wrenching portrait of death row injustice... shards of jagged humour mingle with moments of farce but also exquisite intimacy... unmissable' * Telegraph * 'Belongs in a league of its own... Ferrentino has turned a solo narrative into a richer ensemble piece... contains a hint of the miraculous' * The Times * 'Incredibly powerful scenes' * Guardian * 'Astounding... prises apart the justice system through the shocking reality of a haunting lived experience... Ferrentino's script gallops with innovative charm... one of the best new plays of the year... a thrilling premiere' * WhatsOnStage * 'A cracking piece of storytelling... eschews one-man-play cliches... beautifully theatrical' * Time Out * 'Something special... a memorable evening of theatre.' * Theatre Weekly * 'Stunning... Lindsey Ferrentino's breathtaking writing elevates an incredible true story to a powerful new level... a remarkable show, one of the best I have ever seen' * All That Dazzles * 'A story told in captivating sequences with heart-breaking simplicity... surprisingly funny... profoundly moving' * Reviews Hub * 'Utterly captivating... a gut-wrenching testament to the failure of judicial systems... a devastating picture of human resilience and our capacity for hope... masterful storytelling' * West End Best Friend * 'A brilliant piece of writing... darkly funny, tense, sympathetic and understated... keeps us captive and captivated for nigh on two hours without an interval' * British Theatre Guide *

Author Information

Lindsey Ferrentino is an American playwright whose plays have been produced internationally. They include The Fear of 13 (Donmar Warehouse, London, 2024), Ugly Lies the Bone (Off-Broadway, 2015; National Theatre, London, 2017) and Amy and the Orphans (Off-Broadway, 2018). Other plays include: Kokomo, This Flat Earth, Magic Man, ​Moonlight on the Bayou and Paradise Bar and Grill. Her adaptation of Michel Hazanavicius' feature film The Artist (with Drew McOnie) was premiered at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2024.

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