Keith just wants to say he’s sorry. A lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse has given him a lot to apologise for – particularly to the two people who raised from a child. But as the memories of violence, betrayal, lies and recriminations are raked to the surface, it becomes clear that past actions can have shocking repercussions in the present. Forgiving is easy, forgetting is a different story.‘This could have become far-fetched but Hayes's acidic humour and natural, instinctively paced dialogue stop the play spilling into melodrama. Hayes has a rare talent for creating frighteningly powerful characters who remain spine-tinglingly tangible, despite their extraordinary actions.’ 4 STARS – Time Out ‘…a tense, intimately edgy experience. Step 9 (of 12) , with its numerous soul-gripping revelations, creates a drama that will wrench from its audience deep feelings of empathy, and deeply felt opinions. It's a play that involves you wholly in its central dilemma: how to clench your fist tightly enough to hold firm, but not so tight as to crush? This is thrilling, unrestrained entertainment.’ – onthefringepaper.co.uk ‘ Step 9 (of 12) , a new piece by the Offie-nominated playwright Rob Hayes is the second piece of his I’ve seen… More considered, fluid and conscious than the first yet maintaining his special, dark, comic tone. This is, quite genuinely, fringe theatre at its absolute best, do try and catch this show before it finishes.’ 4 stars– whatsonstage.com
