IT (NHB Modern Plays)

A teenage girl has something growing inside her, which takes over her body and has claws. She has to keep it concealed, but she can't contain it forever. The IT is a darkly comic state-of-the-nation play exploring adolescent mental health and the rage within.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 18 November 2021
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

The play opens with a teenage girl,Vivienne Franzmann, sitting alone in her bedroom. She is visibly distressed,her eyes wide with fear and her body shaking with anxiety. She is holding something small and furry in her hands,which she refuses to show to the camera. Vivienne: (sighs) It s here. It s definitely here. I don t know what it is,but I know it s not a baby. It s growing inside me,and it s getting bigger and bigger every day. It s like a monster,like something that s never been seen before. The camera zooms in on the small furry object,revealing it to be a small creature with sharp claws and glowing eyes. Vivienne: (shudders) It s taking over my body. It s like a parasite,like it s eating me from the inside out. I can t stop it,I can t stop it. The camera pans out to show Vivienne s bedroom,which is in disarray. Clothes are strewn across the floor,and there are strange markings on the walls. Vivienne: (whispering) No one must know about it. I have to keep it concealed. I can t let anyone see what s happening to me. I pull away from my friends. I refuse to speak,in case the IT is heard. But I can t contain it forever. Sooner or later something s got to give. The play then follows Vivienne as she struggles to cope with the presence of the IT and the consequences of its possession. She becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn,refusing to engage with anyone or anything. She spends her days locked in her bedroom,listening to music and writing in her journal. Vivienne: (sighs) I can t believe this is happening to me. I thought I was normal,like everyone else. But I m not. I m different. I m not like you. The IT is heard again,this time louder and more menacing. Vivienne s body shakes with fear,and she screams in terror. Vivienne: (sobbing) Please,please,please make it stop. Make it go away. The play then takes a darker turn,as Vivienne s mental health deteriorates further. She becomes delusional and paranoid,seeing the IT everywhere and believing that it is trying to harm her. She starts to self-harm,cutting herself and burning herself with cigarettes. Vivienne: (shaking) I can t take it anymore. I can t take it. I m going to die. The play ends with Vivienne in a hospital bed, surrounded by doctors and nurses. She is still holding the small furry object,which she has refused to let go of. Vivienne: (whispering) It s still here. It s still inside me. It s never going to leave. The IT is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the dark side of adolescent mental health and the struggles that young people face in today s society. It is a reminder that mental health is not something to be ignored or stigmatized,but something that requires support and understanding. The play also raises important questions about the role of parents,schools,and society in addressing adolescent mental health issues. It suggests that there is a need for more resources and support for young people who are struggling with mental health issues,and that society as a whole needs to be more aware and proactive in addressing these issues. In conclusion,The IT is a must-see play for anyone who is interested in exploring the dark side of adolescent mental health and the struggles that young people face in today s society. It is a powerful and thought-provoking play that offers opportunities for a large,flexible cast of any size and mix of genders. It is a reminder that mental health is not something to be ignored or stigmatized,but something that requires support and understanding.

Weight: 66g
Dimension: 129 x 200 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839040375