The decision to cast Smith and Foy was intentional, as the playwright noted they were not only incredible actors but also genuine friends off-stage, which created a crucial sense of sibling-like trust and familiarity necessary for the intense scenes. The production was directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus, who helped maintain the play's intense intimacy even within the large Old Vic space.
The central tension of Lungs rests on a modern paradox: Is it ethical to bring a child into a world on the brink of ecological collapse? Macmillan uses the characters' eco-anxiety to explore how global crises infiltrate our most intimate, private choices. The Fluidity of Time and Memory
The plane itself serves as a symbol of transition and liminality. As the couple navigates their conversation, they are also navigating the space between departure and arrival, reflecting on their past and looking towards their future.
Platforms like Drama Online Library provide fully searchable, legal digital access to the script for students and institutions.
Finding Duncan Macmillan’s Play "Lungs": Script Availability, Summaries, and Analytical Guide
"Lungs" is a two-character play that explores the complexities of a relationship through a conversation between two strangers who meet on a plane. The play takes place in the air, where the two characters, M and F, engage in a deep and intimate conversation, revealing their thoughts, desires, and fears.
