Secret Life of Humans (NHB Modern Plays)

By David Byrne

In 1949, scientist and mathematician Dr Jacob Bronowski installs a hidden, locked room in his house.
Fifty years later, his grandson discovers the secrets contained in the room, unearthing echoes from across six million years of human history.
David Byrne's play Secret Life of Humans was first seen during a sell-out, award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. It had its London premiere at New Diorama in April 2018, ahead of transferring Off-Broadway.
'Ambitious, intellegent and moving... unfolds with thriller-like precision with real visual flair.' - Guardian
'Bold, beautiful and utterly absorbing theatre, finding the thrilling drama inherent in the human story. It takes your breath away.' - The Stage
'Presented with brilliant imagination... strikingly accomplished, absorbing and enjoyable.' - Scotsman

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Apr 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781788500395

David Byrne

David Byrne was born in Scotland in 1952 and is now an artist, writer, and musician who since 1974 has lived in New York City. He has a daughter and a grandson.

Book preview

Prologue

I

An empty stage. A single chair. House lights still up, AVA enters holding an old archive box. The play starts in the very room it is being performed in.

AVA. Where to begin?

I was told a story once, actually, about a theatre group who were doing a show – in a room just like this one. And this one performance only a man and his dog turned up to watch. And not like a guide dog. Just a normal dog. They knew this because, about midway through the show, the man, he got up and left. Went to the toilet. Or to get a refund. Or something. And left just his dog, and only the dog, watching the actors perform.

One by one they all noticed. And they had this dilemma on their hands. Do they keep performing, just for the dog? Or do they stop? They carried on.

So, before we start, I just want to check there are only humans here tonight? Good.

Perfect. That means we’re alone. Because tonight we’re going to be talking about ourselves. About the complicated creatures we humans are.

We no longer see ourselves as animals. Even though we’re covered in the pencil markings of our past. As Darwin said: our bodies each bear the indelible stamp of our lowly origins.

Here’s a simple one – stretch out your arm and put your thumb on your little finger. Some of you will see a protruding tendon on your wrist. There’s mine – it’s quite pronounced. It’s useless now. It’s a tendon found in primates who use their forearms for walking. Those distant ancestors, they’re still here with