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Birds and Bees

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2w, 1m, 1gnc (adult)

A searing exploration of identity, consent, sex positivity, online safety and intersectionality.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 1m, 1gnc (adult)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

“The whole system needs a reboot, refresh, restart. Revolution’s possible, hear me share from the heart. See us youngers? Online scrolling, always visible. But the Truth is I feel invisible. The youth of today have got so much to say but no one’s listening.”

Leilah is wondering if her Instagram is more of a burden than ‘living her best life’. Billy’s queer and proud but ignored by the education system; they’re tired of feeling invisible. Aarron is learning how to be a man online, and it’s starting to feel toxic. And Maisy, well, Maisy’s not that into sex, thank you very much. Thrown together, these four confront their differences and realise their power to create change.

Birds and Bees is a new play by critically acclaimed writer Charlie Josephine (I, Joan, Shakespeare’s Globe) and a searing exploration of identity, consent, sex positivity, online safety and intersectionality. Birds and Bees originally launched digitally during the 2020 lockdown and was watched by over 500 schools across the UK. In 2023, the script was reworked by Charlie alongside groups of young people, in collaboration with Theatre Centre and Sheffield Theatres ahead of a national tour to theatres and schools.

History
Birds and Bees was commissioned by Theatre Centre and was a co-production between Theatre Centre and Sheffield Theatres.

AARRON – 16, Black, male. Working class. Cool, cheeky and charming.

BILLY – 16, any race, AFAB nonbinary. Working class. An outsider who’s secretly eager to play.

LEILAH – 16, Black, female. Working class. Razor-sharp wit, with a big, open heart.

MAISY – 16, white, female. Middle class. More childlike than the rest, but not to be underestimated.

  • Time Period Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Media

“Josephine is quietly becoming one of our most exciting writers.” – The Stage

“Funny, educational and relevant.” – Broadway World

“[They tackle] mental health, differing perspectives on feminism, abuse, macho competitiveness, shame and objectification in a funny, sharp and insightful drama created out of a little, yet into such a lot.” – Rotherham Advertiser

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Meet the Characters from Birds and Bees
by Matt Law
1 Feb 2023

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Charlie Josephine

Charlie Josephine is a writer and actor. Currently under commission at Headlong Theatre and NT Connections, they are also writing a feature film for Salon Pictures. Their latest play, Cowbois, has been announced as part of the RSC’s summer season for 2023, opening in October. ...

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