Play For September

Fourteen year old girls want to marry their fathers. But what happens when there isn't a father around? Who do they look to for that male adult influence? And what happens when the whole thing spirals out of control?
Play for September looks at the tripartite relationship of best friends Elle and Kay and their teacher Mr Bode. Elle loves Kay and everyone thinks she is a lesbian. Kay loves Mr Bode, their English teacher, and Mr Bode laps up the attention but, ultimately, takes it too far. The fallout is catastrophic for everyone.
This powerful modern parable is written by Olivia Hirst and superbly captures the shorthand backchat between teenage best friends where a slight can be forgotten in a second and bestie status is instantly restored.
Amazingly slick performances from Rianna Dearsden and Olivia Hirst pull you deep into the complicated psych of hormonal 14 year old schoolgirls as the love triangle pulls itself apart to its inevitable conclusion. Jim Crago as Mr Bode is the core around which the maelstrom of hormonal lust revolves.
The parents of any teenage girl will be horrified at the glimpse into the mind of their daughter but knowledge is power.
Play for September is on again at Upstairs at The Western on Saturday 7th June and continues to tour.

First published in Western Gazette 
© Paul Towers 7/6/2014