ecstasy

ecstasy, either of two drugs used for their euphoric effects. The original ecstasy, a so-called designer drug, also known as MDMA, is an analog of methamphetamine (see amphetamine). The other drug is a substance also known as ma huang or ephedra; it was marketed as "herbal ecstasy" to promote the idea that it is a natural and safe form of ecstasy. The active ingredient of herbal ecstasy is ephedrine.

Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance is a collection of three novellas by Irvine Welsh.

The title refers to an early Rosicrucian pamphlet, entitled The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz.

Stories

Lorraine Goes To Livingston

After suffering a stroke, Rebecca Navarro, a best-selling romance novelist, discovers the truth about her corrupt, pornography-loving husband. With the help of Lorraine, her sexually confused nurse, she plots her revenge.

Another nurse at the hospital, Glen, has been secretly admiring Lorraine but after a night at a club, decides to pursue her friend Yvonne instead. Meanwhile, Glen has been accepting money from Freddy Royle, a necrophiliac TV personality. The hospital trustees turn a blind eye to Freddy's nefarious pastime but have to do some fast talking when the new coroner begins asking questions.

Fortune's Always Hiding

An angry and bitter 'Tenazedrine' (Thalidomide) victim and her lover seek revenge on the drug's marketing director.

The Undefeated

The longest story, The Undefeated, presents slice-of-life episodes from the lives of two recreational drug users. Lloyd, an aging clubber, begins to question his life and considers the possibility of falling in love. Housewife Heather leaves her Dire Straits-loving suburban husband and starts a new life amongst the rave scene, where she meets Lloyd.

'Welsh smoothly demonstrates his belief in the liberating power of dance culture. Most interestingly, he avoids the easy route of claiming utopia. If drugs can liberate you, then they can as easily ruin you.'

Stage adaptation

Soon after publication the book was adapted for the stage. The stage version ultimately inspired the film to be made. In the late nineties the stage toured the UK and Canada.

Film adaptation

In 2008, the film Ecstasy based on The Undefeated will be produced. It is a romantic comedy, set in Scotland and Amsterdam. The story was adapted into the play Ecstasy (by Montreal-based Keith Wyatt) that performed to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim across Canada and at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. The film concerns a romance between a young woman dissatisfied with the confines of her suburban life and an aging club-goer. The film, directed by Rob Heydon featuring Erica Durance, Billy Boyd, Richard E Grant, Jenni Falconer, Scott Cleverdon, Stephen Campbell Moore, Bill Paterson, Ewan Stewart, Stuart McQuarrie, Gary Lewis, Colin McCredie, Karen Dunbar, Elize du Toit, Keram Malicki-Sanchez and a cameo with Howard Marks as a Senior Customs Officier at Edinburgh Airport. The filming will take place in 2008 in the UK and Edinburgh, Scotland. The film is a Canada/UK co-production. Adam Sinclair to star as the lead character, Lloyd.

Cultural reference

The band My Chemical Romance derived their name from this book. Mikey Way, the bassist, saw the book while working at Barnes & Noble in New Jersey.

References

External links

• Spike Magazine review
• Ecstasy the Film website
• Jive Magazine post