Martin Wagner

(for information about current or upcoming performances of The Agent click here)

paperback | 80 pages | 198x129mm

plays

ISBN: 978-1-905177-13-4

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'If you can't live, write; if you can't write, be a publisher; if you can't be a publisher, be a literary agent; and if you can't be a literary agent, God help you.' Colin Haycraft

It's just another day at the office for high-flying literary agent Alexander. Phone calls to be returned, deals to be finalised, celebrity clients to be taken out to lunch... and just one quick meeting to get through with an author whose latest book the agent thinks is, frankly, not up to scratch.

Martin Wagner's gripping and often bitingly funny two-hander about a writer's struggle for proper representation perfectly reveals the subtle shifts in power in the relationship between artist and agent. As every minute passes and the tables continue to turn, the only thing we can be sure of is that there can only be one winner.

Martin Wagner is a writer and film-maker living in London. more

"The trials of a struggling author are a subject close to every playwright's heart, but don't necessarily make for an edifying evening's entertainment – what's so impressive about this piece is the way it refuses to take sides, drawing out both character's points of view in all their complexity. Steven's embittered insights never gain our affection any more than Alexander's commitment to good business. Their spiky exchanges are wonderfully alive with moments where the two mis/understand their differences.

The Agent is a wonderful two-handed drama. It paints a relationship between its two characters that is full, lifelike and thoroughly theatrical – highly recommended!" Hugh Chapman - EXTRA! EXTRA

"Grippingly dark and achingly funny, at times The Agent reminds me very much of Ricky Gervais' and Stephen Marchant's hit comedy The Office, but not quite so straightforward. Martin Wagner has brought together an almost perfect representation of the subtle power-shifts that can occur between an artist and their agent... There’s no excuse for not seeing this great new play." Luke Tudball - UKTheatre Reviews

"An entertaining evening of theatre. The twists are neatly and effectively presented, and the tension of the final scene makes for gripping theatre." MY LONDON YOUR LONDON

"When the play enters a far more fantastical world it really takes off. And how it takes off. The second act is tense, funny, poignant." THE STAGE

"Very amusing and dark... fabulous twists and turns... A very good two-hander." RESONANCE FM

"An exceptionally well-crafted, intelligent and enjoyable exchange exploring the nature of being an artist in a contemporary capitalist society, where substance is often overlooked and talent unrewarded... Martin Wagner's debut play is impressive and entertaining." Belinda Williams - ROGUES AND VAGABONDS

"The best play I've seen in months! Should go to the West End." Rob Frost - Premiere Radio

"A neat two-hander." Dominic Cavendish - Daily Telegraph

for information about The Agent's premiere run at The Old Red Lion click here

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