Find Me

by Olwen Wymark

At the age of twenty, Verity was charged by the police with damaging a chair by fire in the mental hospital were she was a patient. Later, she was committed to Broadmoor "from where she may not be discharged without permission of the Home Secretary." Using a technique of multiple characterization, Find Me seeks to investigate in depth the personality of the young girl - to 'find her' - and at the same time studies the effects of her behavior on those around her.

Genres: Plays, Drama

Paperback

First published December 31, 1980

Reviews

[Maya Jagger]

Only done one read through so far but this is genuinely a fun play to perform especially with all the scene changes it makes for a snappy and dynamic story. A little outdated in terms of how autism is portrayed and I think it’s a shame that it’s unlikely how all 5x Verity’s have possibly never been played by 5x autistic women (my director suspects she is autistic). Great commentary though on how disability was viewed in the 70s, the way the parents speak about her and their lack of understanding. Also still accurate in terms of a late diagnosis. Most women are still diagnosed later than men for their disabilities, due to their ability to mask better (she does well for a time at school academically but not socially). Really can’t wait to do this on stage!

[Lily]

This play is set in the 1950’s to 1970’s and follows a family struggling with their daughter’s mental health issues.

I studied this episodic play for school and enjoyed it the first time I read it. It wasn’t the greatest play ever, not extremely interesting for me but it was readable.

[Sophie]

Decent play, glad I'm performing it for GCSE Drama.

[Isabel]

I played young Verity for my school play <3

[Aaron Daniel]

Amazing piece of social commentary and a time capsule, looking at mental health in the 70's.
Also, quite an accurate portrayal of a personality disorder. A new favourite.

[Archie Aylwin]

Did for 13+ Drama, it turned out pretty well. Very interesting script and fun performance.

[Philippa]

It's fun to perform

[Chloe]

good play happy to be performing it for gcse, read the play as research

[giselle]

gcse drama on top

[Charlie May]

A brilliant book, much better than I expected due to the fact that it was required reading from one of my courses. As this book was needed for a course, I struggled to get into it a first, but once I did I read it all in one sitting and I would read it again for pleasure. I like the characters and the Brachtian layout made it all the more interesting.
I would defiantly recommend this book.

[Freyja]

This is my drama GCSE play and I was really unsure what to think at first but I really loved it atchally!! It's such a interesting story and fantastic way of looking at mental health. And a interesting insite into the teating of people with mental illness.

[Izzie Flynn]

I remember playing Verity Taylor a while back for a short theatre piece, the story has stayed with me since. Incredible. Crazy incredible.

[Michael Spendelow]

An interesting play. I like the exploration of the theme of madness and it certainly has been of use to me. Quite alright.

[Renarde]

Brilliant. There's so much you can do with this play.