A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The B*easts

Monologues, Drama  /  1w

Monica Dolan

“…a lot of these things, these impulses, are healthy things, but they just get distorted. Or maybe it’s the world that gets – is – distorted, but you see, it’s my job to get people to fit in with the world, distorted or not, so that they feel happy. Or, not sad. Or…functioning.”

The B*easts

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Tessa is a psychotherapist who has been instructed to provide a medical report on one of her patients for the criminal court. This has been Tessa’s most exceptional case in all her twenty years of practice. As treatment progresses she finds herself asking deeper, more far-reaching questions, not just about her patient, but the world and its motives.

The B*easts is a chillingly relevant tale of the pornification of culture and sexualisation of our children, and how far one mum will go to put what her child wants first.

Read our interview with Monica Dolan about writing and performing in The B*easts.

History
The B*easts was first produced by Suzanna Rosenthal for Something For The Weekend, and previewed at the Etcetera and the Bush Theatre before premiering on 5 August 2017 at the Big Belly, Underbelly, Cowgate, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017. It had its London premiere at the Bush Theatre on 12 February 2018.
Keywords
TESSA – a woman in her forties. She is a psychotherapist. Earthed, empathic, intelligent, neutral, sharp, dry, caring.
  • Time Period Present Day
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“A fantastically assured piece of writing and acting from Monica Dolan… full of hard truths and soft edges.” – The Times

“Bold, provocative piece about our increasingly sexualised culture... an intentionally challenging piece, destined to create debate.” – The Stage, Read more

“It’s a remarkably combative and thought-provoking piece about the sexualisation of our culture – and of children in particular. You can’t get it out of your head afterwards.” – The Independent, Read more

“Sobering, sorrowful stuff.” – The Evening Standard

“Monica Dolan is almost flawless.” – The Arts Desk, Read more

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Monica Dolan on writing and performing The B*easts
by Cathy Thomas
March 13, 2019

Licensing & Materials

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Scripts

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Authors

Monica Dolan

Monica Dolan

Monica Dolan is a British/Irish citizen who was born in Middlesbrough and brought up in Woking. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has been working as an actress for over twenty years. In 2012 she won a BAFTA for her role as Rosemary West in the TV dra ...

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