Theatre Centre: plays for young people: 2 (Aurora New Plays) - Softcover

RE: GORGEOUS: This one-woman show is a theatrical Alice in Wonderland-like journey through time. The play examines our relationships with our bodies through the ages, and how the media and our peers have influenced the way we view ourselves. Appropriate for young men and women, this program highlights the importance of self-esteem and a strong sense of self. The dangers of diet and beauty fads are also explored. Gorgeous helps young people realize that they are beautiful because of who they are on the inside. --The New Conservatory Theatre Centre

RE: LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS: The message to the youthful audience is that, if they're having problems at home, they should seek help from outside, for instance at school, is quite explicit without being overdone, although Zephaniah's writing of Mark's dad arguably overplays the link between his religious preaching and his violent anti-feminism. But Wali and mum introduce a welcome warmth to proceedings while Mark himself is an attractive and sympathetic character, especially when he's waxing wittily lyrical about his poetry or football team. --City Life

RE: LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS: The message to the youthful audience is that, if they're having problems at home, they should seek help from outside, for instance at school, is quite explicit without being overdone, although Zephaniah's writing of Mark's dad arguably overplays the link between his religious preaching and his violent anti-feminism. But Wali and mum introduce a welcome warmth to proceedings while Mark himself is an attractive and sympathetic character, especially when he's waxing wittily lyrical about his poetry or football team. --City Life

"Listen to your Parents" by Benjamin Zephaniah explores a boy's love of football and poetry in a family struggling with domestic violence. "Gorgeous" by Anna Furse deals with eating disorders and pressures on modern women in contrast to their victorian forebears. "Precious" by Angela Turvey asks how you stop being a graffiti artist and become a serious artist? How do you grow up? "Look at Me" by Anna Reynolds explores difficult behaviours in and out of school. "Souls" by Roy Williams shows 3 brothers coming to terms with their mother's death, while sibling rivalry continues to damage their relationship. "Glow" by Manjinder Virk portrays a teenage girl who becomes a boxing champion against the wishes of her father.