Stuff (NHB Modern Plays)

Vinny is throwing a surprise party for his friend Anita, but it's not going well. The play "Stuff" by Tom Wells explores friendship and loss and the challenges of doing the right thing for friends. It was written specifically for young people and premiered at the 2019 National Theatre Connections Festival.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 56 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2021
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Vinny is throwing a surprise birthday party for his friend, Anita, but it's not going as planned. He chose a not-so-great venue, and Anita isn't too excited about leaving the house. Plus, everyone else has their own things going on, making it a bit of a chaotic situation. Maybe a surprise party wasn't such a great idea after all?

"Stuff" is a play by Tom Wells that explores the themes of friendship and loss, and the challenges of doing the right thing for your friends when there's no clear answer. It was written specifically for young audiences and was part of the 2019 National Theatre Connections Festival. The play offers fantastic opportunities for a cast of teenage actors.

Vinny is determined to make Anita's birthday special, even if things don't go exactly as planned. He's spent weeks organizing the surprise, and he's sure that Anita will appreciate the effort when she sees everything that's been done. But as the day of the party approaches, Vinny starts to feel a bit nervous. He's worried that Anita won't like the venue, or that she'll be too busy to enjoy herself.

Meanwhile, Anita is feeling a bit overwhelmed. She's not sure why Vinny is throwing her a party, and she's starting to feel like she's in the way. She's been trying to avoid Vinny's calls and messages, hoping that he'll give up on the whole thing. But Vinny is persistent, and he's determined to make Anita's birthday the best it can be.

As the day of the party arrives, Vinny and Anita's friends and family gather at the venue. Vinny is nervous, but he's trying to keep his cool. Anita is still unsure what's going on, but she's starting to feel a bit better about it.

The party starts off with a bang, with music playing and drinks flowing. Vinny is happy to see that everyone is having a good time, but he can't help but feel a bit worried about Anita. She's still not sure why she's here, and she's starting to feel like a burden.

But then, something unexpected happens. Anita's sister, Sarah, shows up at the party. Sarah is angry with Vinny for throwing Anita a party, and she's determined to make things right. She confronts Vinny, and they have a heated argument.

As the argument continues, Vinny realizes that he's been selfish. He's been so focused on making Anita's birthday special that he hasn't considered what she wants. He's been trying to force her to be happy, even if it means ignoring her feelings.

Sarah is right. Vinny needs to listen to Anita and respect her wishes. He needs to stop trying to control her and let her decide what she wants to do.

In the end, Vinny and Anita work things out. They talk about their feelings, and they come to a compromise. Anita decides that she doesn't want a big party, but she does want to spend time with her friends and family. Vinny agrees to respect her wishes, and he cancels the rest of the party plans.

The party ends on a low note, but Vinny and Anita are closer than ever. They've learned that friendship is about listening and respecting each other's wishes, even when it's hard. And they've realized that sometimes, the best way to show someone you care is to let them be themselves.

"Stuff" is a powerful play that explores the complexities of friendship and loss. It's a play that speaks to young people, and it offers valuable lessons about the importance of communication and empathy. It's a play that reminds us that even when things don't go as planned, we can still do the right thing for our friends.

Weight: 74g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848429888