What do you think?
Rate this book
Girls Like That
An urgent and explosive new play that explores of the pressures on young people today in the wake of advancing technology.
When a naked photograph of Scarlett goes viral, she becomes the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons. But while rumors run wild and everyone forms an opinion, Scarlett just stays silent.
With roles for up to twenty-four young female actors (though it can also be performed by a smaller cast), the play is perfect for any schools, youth theatres or drama groups looking to tackle a contemporary subject in a theatrically exciting way.
Specially commissioned by Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Girls Like That was developed through work with young people from the three theatres and first performed by their youth theatre companies in 2013.
"[Tackles] strong, relevant issues... a well-written, immaculately crafted and brave piece of energetic theatre." - A Younger Theatre
"An urgent, powerful and haunting examination... I can see this play becoming a very popular resource for 16+ groups and that will be no bad thing." National Drama Magazine
Evan Placey is a Canadian-British playwright. His other work includes Mother of Him , Holloway Jones , which won the Brian Way Award for Best Play for Young People, and Pronoun , commissioned as part of the 2014 National Theatre Connections Festival.
When a naked photograph of Scarlett goes viral, she becomes the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons. But while rumors run wild and everyone forms an opinion, Scarlett just stays silent.
With roles for up to twenty-four young female actors (though it can also be performed by a smaller cast), the play is perfect for any schools, youth theatres or drama groups looking to tackle a contemporary subject in a theatrically exciting way.
Specially commissioned by Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Girls Like That was developed through work with young people from the three theatres and first performed by their youth theatre companies in 2013.
"[Tackles] strong, relevant issues... a well-written, immaculately crafted and brave piece of energetic theatre." - A Younger Theatre
"An urgent, powerful and haunting examination... I can see this play becoming a very popular resource for 16+ groups and that will be no bad thing." National Drama Magazine
Evan Placey is a Canadian-British playwright. His other work includes Mother of Him , Holloway Jones , which won the Brian Way Award for Best Play for Young People, and Pronoun , commissioned as part of the 2014 National Theatre Connections Festival.
80 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2013
17 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 31, 2022
Girls Like That really blew me away. I am not sure what I was expecting because my expectations were solely based on the cover of the book, but I wasn’t expecting to be so moved -- I suppose, then, it exceeded my expectations by a fair bit.
This is a play I would want to take my whole family to, without a doubt. Evan Placey doesn’t shy away from anything difficult, from anything that would make “a parent” uncomfortable, thereby treating his intended audience, which I think is teens/young adults, with great respect, knowing that the very things he is writing about are things that teens must deal with everyday. And, wow, the possibilities for staging this play! I think it would be perfect in the round, but it could be done almost any way and be a success. And if an all-“Girl” cast could be put together, it would be a fantastic ensemble to watch.
Really ... everything Evan Placey wrote makes me excited to see Girls Like That. The inciting moment of the nude photo (and its landmark as a gateway in the play) is far less important than how Girls Like That examines the power dynamics between social groups and between “traditional” gender groups after such a gateway moment is revealed. The raw emotion of the play, even stagnant on the page, is overwhelming, and seeing this staged is an exciting prospect. Two scenes standout above all others, however: 1. the McDonald’s scene (and what comes after); 2. the Vigil scene. I think these two scenes have to be seen on stage to have maximum impact, but my mind’s eye was captivated by them both just the same.
I couldn't help wondering what a discussion of this play would be like. I imagine there would be an almost universal feeling within individual audience members that they would not behave as badly as the people did in Girls Like That, which would prompt me to do all I could to coax my interlocutors to challenge this perception about themselves. The very fact that we are all likely to deny that we would act like the people in Girls Like That is why such behaviour is consistently perpetuated. I wouldn't make friends in this discussion, but it would sure be a fun conversation. Ultimately, Evan Placey’s work speaks a universal truth; someone must be acting the way they do in the play because it happens everyday. If not us, who?
See this play. Read this play. Find a way to engage with Girls Like That.
This is a play I would want to take my whole family to, without a doubt. Evan Placey doesn’t shy away from anything difficult, from anything that would make “a parent” uncomfortable, thereby treating his intended audience, which I think is teens/young adults, with great respect, knowing that the very things he is writing about are things that teens must deal with everyday. And, wow, the possibilities for staging this play! I think it would be perfect in the round, but it could be done almost any way and be a success. And if an all-“Girl” cast could be put together, it would be a fantastic ensemble to watch.
Really ... everything Evan Placey wrote makes me excited to see Girls Like That. The inciting moment of the nude photo (and its landmark as a gateway in the play) is far less important than how Girls Like That examines the power dynamics between social groups and between “traditional” gender groups after such a gateway moment is revealed. The raw emotion of the play, even stagnant on the page, is overwhelming, and seeing this staged is an exciting prospect. Two scenes standout above all others, however: 1. the McDonald’s scene (and what comes after); 2. the Vigil scene. I think these two scenes have to be seen on stage to have maximum impact, but my mind’s eye was captivated by them both just the same.
I couldn't help wondering what a discussion of this play would be like. I imagine there would be an almost universal feeling within individual audience members that they would not behave as badly as the people did in Girls Like That, which would prompt me to do all I could to coax my interlocutors to challenge this perception about themselves. The very fact that we are all likely to deny that we would act like the people in Girls Like That is why such behaviour is consistently perpetuated. I wouldn't make friends in this discussion, but it would sure be a fun conversation. Ultimately, Evan Placey’s work speaks a universal truth; someone must be acting the way they do in the play because it happens everyday. If not us, who?
See this play. Read this play. Find a way to engage with Girls Like That.
March 22, 2016
Not a great play, though it could have been. It's biggest pitfall is that Evan Placey, to my mind, just doesn't 'get' girls, so writing in first person does not work. All of his characters think with the mind of a seven year old. Teenage girls are generally far more complex than this. Their misunderstandings of their own cattiness and their position in social hierarchies are far subtler than this, and their worlds are wider than just the pack animal order, which Placey uses too liberally to explain the successes women have had through history. If this were a book about seven year olds, it would be interesting, but it's not. It's a shame, and a missed opportunity.
January 15, 2022
I could tell straight away that an older man wrote this. It just wasn’t relatable at all and very cringey and over dramatic. I liked the double standard things sprinkled in. The characters seemed super dumb, I mean reaaallly dumb, I just don’t think it’s as simple as that when people bully but I guess that’s how he wanted to write it.
I just hate contemporary plays in general lol.
I just hate contemporary plays in general lol.
November 7, 2015
I didn't find this play to be terribly revelatory, but I'm also not that far removed from my years as a teenager. I will concede this: the world can be a complicated and unforgiving place, especially now with our ability to access and distribute information more easily than ever. But this play engages in some unnecessary handwringing over "kids today" when we all know that adolescents have been adept at tormenting each other since the dawn of time.
August 30, 2020
Buzz. Click. Pop. Flash.
There've been lines on which I thought it could have been put in a better way.
Quite nice school/drama club format play on relevant issues but the ending was too short and dry for me. If I studied drama, I definitely would consider this play for my exam work.
"Maybe change starts with plays like this"
Lyn Garden, Guardian
There've been lines on which I thought it could have been put in a better way.
Quite nice school/drama club format play on relevant issues but the ending was too short and dry for me. If I studied drama, I definitely would consider this play for my exam work.
"Maybe change starts with plays like this"
Lyn Garden, Guardian
December 14, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
Nice concept and overall well-written, but I'm not sure what I think about the monologues and whatever was going on with the family history device and don't tell my drama teacher this but I still would rather have done Shakespeare for our set text,,,
Nice concept and overall well-written, but I'm not sure what I think about the monologues and whatever was going on with the family history device and don't tell my drama teacher this but I still would rather have done Shakespeare for our set text,,,
June 4, 2024
Gcse vibes for sure but good none the less
April 17, 2025
There’s a reason why this play is studied at GCSE level.
Occasionally moving, not terribly mind-blowing.
Occasionally moving, not terribly mind-blowing.
March 28, 2022
words cant describe how much I loath this play. IT IS GOD AWFUL. so bloody confusing, no characters, no bloody scenes, worst thing to happen to me in my GCSE experience, anyone whose rated it higher than 1 star is delusional.
November 14, 2023
gcse trauma from this
June 18, 2019
I am confused.
I rolled my eyes at every single line - and yet, as I kept on reading, I found myself slowly understanding the unique and, quite honestly, specific charm of this play.
I did not like it. With every page I read, I thought everything could have been done in a much better way: the characterisation, the story, and the storytelling. I absolutely hated how much wasted potential I was seeing just in front of my eyes.
And yet, between my regrets and complaints, I found enough space to fit an understanding of the charm, what got me through the entire play. It was not the worst text I have ever read. And to be honest, I ended up being quite impressed.
I started reading it by pure boredom - there is not much you can do at school after all your exams have ended. A underclassman, a drama student, sitting across the table from me, just finished this book and started complaining - just what you do, as a bored student. I had some time on my hand, so I borrowed the script to see for myself - how bad could it possibly be?
Now, I do not have much experience with contemporary theatre. Almost none at all, to be more precise - I had been to exactly two contemporary plays, and one of these was the drama class' self-written play. Both were good, both were impressive.
This one... not quite.
It was confusing - the narrative seems to be told from the perspective of multiple girls at times, then the train of thought continues across what seems to be separate lines, making it more likely that there is, in fact, only one narrator. The "GIRLS", mentioned by the script, seems to be switching lines quite inconsistently - this might be clearer in an actual representation of the play, though.
My main issue was, however, with the way the "GIRLS" acted and thought - these eighteen year old girls (repeatedly reminding us that they were "grown" and "smart" women), acted in the exact same way as fourteen year olds would. Now, some adults would note that there is not much of a difference, and I may just hold unusual expectations for eighteen year olds, I am not sure. But it was not pleasant.
But even this twisted narrative, and even the immaturity seemed to all make sense at some point. Maybe I was just going crazy from the lack of oxygen in the study room. Maybe I was desperate to enjoy anything, at that point. But, little by little, despite the unnecessary animal metaphors, a sort of a charm started to emanate from the book.
It felt kind of twisted, really. But behind all of that, it was a story about unity, and a story about exclusion. Behind the obvious motives of bullying, the impact of new technologies on teenagers, and even the differences between men and women in society, the unity between the girls was emphasised - and in quite creepy ways, if I can say so, the repetitions used giving me shivers at times (or was it just the air conditioning?).
I am still beyond confused - I genuinely do not know if I liked it or not. I genuinely cannot tell if I would ever recommend this to anyone. I think I might need time to digest all of it.
And I am not quite sure whether it is a good sign or not, in this particular case.
I rolled my eyes at every single line - and yet, as I kept on reading, I found myself slowly understanding the unique and, quite honestly, specific charm of this play.
I did not like it. With every page I read, I thought everything could have been done in a much better way: the characterisation, the story, and the storytelling. I absolutely hated how much wasted potential I was seeing just in front of my eyes.
And yet, between my regrets and complaints, I found enough space to fit an understanding of the charm, what got me through the entire play. It was not the worst text I have ever read. And to be honest, I ended up being quite impressed.
I started reading it by pure boredom - there is not much you can do at school after all your exams have ended. A underclassman, a drama student, sitting across the table from me, just finished this book and started complaining - just what you do, as a bored student. I had some time on my hand, so I borrowed the script to see for myself - how bad could it possibly be?
Now, I do not have much experience with contemporary theatre. Almost none at all, to be more precise - I had been to exactly two contemporary plays, and one of these was the drama class' self-written play. Both were good, both were impressive.
This one... not quite.
It was confusing - the narrative seems to be told from the perspective of multiple girls at times, then the train of thought continues across what seems to be separate lines, making it more likely that there is, in fact, only one narrator. The "GIRLS", mentioned by the script, seems to be switching lines quite inconsistently - this might be clearer in an actual representation of the play, though.
My main issue was, however, with the way the "GIRLS" acted and thought - these eighteen year old girls (repeatedly reminding us that they were "grown" and "smart" women), acted in the exact same way as fourteen year olds would. Now, some adults would note that there is not much of a difference, and I may just hold unusual expectations for eighteen year olds, I am not sure. But it was not pleasant.
But even this twisted narrative, and even the immaturity seemed to all make sense at some point. Maybe I was just going crazy from the lack of oxygen in the study room. Maybe I was desperate to enjoy anything, at that point. But, little by little, despite the unnecessary animal metaphors, a sort of a charm started to emanate from the book.
It felt kind of twisted, really. But behind all of that, it was a story about unity, and a story about exclusion. Behind the obvious motives of bullying, the impact of new technologies on teenagers, and even the differences between men and women in society, the unity between the girls was emphasised - and in quite creepy ways, if I can say so, the repetitions used giving me shivers at times (or was it just the air conditioning?).
I am still beyond confused - I genuinely do not know if I liked it or not. I genuinely cannot tell if I would ever recommend this to anyone. I think I might need time to digest all of it.
And I am not quite sure whether it is a good sign or not, in this particular case.
September 22, 2025
Girls Like That by Evan Placey is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking play scripts I have ever read. It takes a fearless look at the complexities of growing up in the modern world, exploring themes of peer pressure, identity, self-image, the impact of technology, and how cruel social hierarchies can be during adolescence.
What struck me most was the way Placey captures the voice of a generation – the rhythm of the dialogue, the fragmented conversations, the overlapping voices – it all feels raw, real, and recognisable. The script reads almost like a piece of poetry in places, weaving together group voices and individual moments to create something that feels both universal and deeply personal.
The play’s central storyline (without giving spoilers) shines a light on how quickly young people can turn on one another when social media and peer dynamics get involved. It challenges the audience/reader to reflect on responsibility, empathy, and the way young girls are often judged more harshly than boys for the same behaviour.
I loved the fact that the script doesn’t offer neat answers – instead, it opens up conversations. It’s clear why this play has become such a popular choice for schools, youth theatres, and professional productions. It has so much to say about the world young people are growing up in today, and it does so in a way that is both engaging and unsettling.
As a script, it is brilliantly constructed, thought-provoking, and layered. It’s the kind of text that stays with you long after you close the final page. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in modern theatre, education, or stories that tackle urgent social issues.
What struck me most was the way Placey captures the voice of a generation – the rhythm of the dialogue, the fragmented conversations, the overlapping voices – it all feels raw, real, and recognisable. The script reads almost like a piece of poetry in places, weaving together group voices and individual moments to create something that feels both universal and deeply personal.
The play’s central storyline (without giving spoilers) shines a light on how quickly young people can turn on one another when social media and peer dynamics get involved. It challenges the audience/reader to reflect on responsibility, empathy, and the way young girls are often judged more harshly than boys for the same behaviour.
I loved the fact that the script doesn’t offer neat answers – instead, it opens up conversations. It’s clear why this play has become such a popular choice for schools, youth theatres, and professional productions. It has so much to say about the world young people are growing up in today, and it does so in a way that is both engaging and unsettling.
As a script, it is brilliantly constructed, thought-provoking, and layered. It’s the kind of text that stays with you long after you close the final page. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in modern theatre, education, or stories that tackle urgent social issues.
December 14, 2022
I thought it was immediately obviously that this was a play written by an older man. Personally, I think the bullying was unrealistic; bullying like that is usually much more subtle and insidious. However, this was an extremely stylised and unnaturalistic play, so perhaps this oversimplification was intended. I did like the monologues interspersed throughout, and how they all came together at the end.
To purely read, I wasn’t overly impressed, but I do think that, given the chance to perform this, it could be such a fun opportunity to be really creative and innovative.
To purely read, I wasn’t overly impressed, but I do think that, given the chance to perform this, it could be such a fun opportunity to be really creative and innovative.
January 31, 2023
i’m doing part of this play for my drama a-level scripted group exam. i decided to read the whole play to get a deeper understanding of the story and i must say, i’m glad i did. this is a good book and i think it shares topics that should be openly spoken about, of course these themes aren’t “nice” but this happens so often, it needs to have awareness. overall, a good play and something that can certainly be developed well in depth on stage!
April 22, 2022
A play about how lots of girls relate to each other and about pecking orders and the pernicious impact of many males. Most interesting is the near-complete lack of attribution for its speeches, making it imaginable in different shapes, including choral, and giving actors and directors substantial freedom to develop characters through their selections.
November 7, 2025
At first I didn’t like it as the opening was just click buzz flash slut whore sket slapper for ages. The story progressed well after that and I liked the bits where the story jumps in time. I especially liked the end when the story lines get rushed together. Some of the writing felt very much like an old person trying to sound young.
July 24, 2017
the muses as teenage catholic school girls acting upon/reflection upon deeply internalized misogyny as they age. characterizations could be stronger, but they work for the abstract route that the writer chose. i was initially wary because the writer is a man, but this was really good.
March 24, 2023
Interesting use of first person with no specific characters, reminds me a lot of Pool No Water. Unfortunately, the play read like it was written by an older man which doesn’t work very well for a play about teenage girls.
May 12, 2018
Read as part of Girls Like That and other plays for teenagers
August 17, 2018
Powerful play but the ending fell short in my opinion.
December 12, 2018
Chouette pièce !
January 23, 2019
Wonderful play. Loved the structure.
December 13, 2021
yet another a level drama book! really good, like the style, not the best though.
September 24, 2024
3.5 stars
March 24, 2025
Wow! A scarily compulsive read that I would love to see performed. I would like to say it’s inaccurate, as refers to the teen girl behaviours, but as a teacher I have seen many things. Bravo
November 1, 2025
I mean yeah...
January 1, 2026
Made me sob my heart out, so thought provoking.
Read
August 31, 2015Really loved how the play consisted of girls recounting what had happened, it added a new dimension of emotion and intention to it which came through really powerfully. I loved how it jumped back through time to the aviation lady and the shoulder pad lady and was revealed at the end that these woman was Scarlett's mother and grandmother. It was a lovely positive ending with the assumption of Scarlett's suicide because of the mention of a suicide video of a girl in Canada and a body being found in a lake. I loved the ending monologue from her where the stories of feminine power that were mentioned before were her mother and grandmother. I also loved the end bit where the girls were protecting the snowman from the boy. I wonder whether this was a hopeful scene of change or whether it was almost like an ironic moment as the girls will break their promise to be 'friends' for ever, and end up like Scarlett's school friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2015
Amazing, gritty play about girls 'slut-shaming' other girls ... would love to see this performed sometime, although it's cast of 24 high school age girls might make that problematic.
August 15, 2015
Highly thought provoking. Interestingly written and very relevant to the world we live in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews