The Girl's Guide to Saving the World

by Elinor Cook

A frank and funny new play about friendship, feminism and what it means to be successful.

Jane and Bella are best friends. They’re starting a revolution. But they’re falling out of step. Toby dreams of babies, buggies, and home improvement. But he can’t even care for his cat. And that boy keeps telling Jane to take what she wants. But what is that, exactly? Three thirty-somethings attempt to make sense of their own uncertain worlds. Even if it means losing sight of each other in the process.

The Girl's Guide to Saving the World premiered as part of the HighTide Festival in April 2014.

Elinor Cook is a British playwright. A former senior reader at the Royal Court Theatre, she won the Old Vic New Voices Time Warner Ignite 3 competition and the 2013 George Devine Award.

Genres: Plays

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2014

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veers a bit into being a feminist screed at some points, but still a very insightful look at how women function in the world today.

[Victoria Claringbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play delves into tough subjects. The relationship between the character's of Jane and Bella is the main narrative of the piece. It is sparsely written with intriguing arguments/ideas about feminism and women's safety in the modern world. There are some high stakes scenes that would be ideal for duologues. I am a fan of the playwright's spare prose and unusual plotting too.

[Alex]

I'm never sure about repeating myself in my dialogue, or about where things are going, but I keep reading plays where writers are unafraid of both of those things and it works, so maybe I should just go for it.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

got one of my lowest grades at uni performing this, definitely on the play and not my performance at all x

[Sarah Collins-Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A promising play with some great scenes and dialogue, which are relatable. A little wobbly in places though. I would have loved more!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh yeah, this is good