WROL

by Michaela Jeffery

Convinced the world at large can't be trusted to prioritize the well-being of adolescent girls in the event of a cataclysmic event (or just in general), a determined troupe of preteen "doomers" commit to preparing for survival in the post-collapse society they anticipate inheriting.

When Maureen, Jo, Sarah, Vic, and Robbie sneak out at night to investigate an ominous hidden lair in the woods, they believe they have stumbled onto proof of what happened to a mysterious local cult that vanished over a decade ago. As they search for vital clues, examining small bones and dusty cans of food for signs of life, they fight to understand how to be understood in a world that seems to reject them. What they discover changes everything--eighth grade will never be the same.

Part Judy Blume, part Rambo, this darkly comic coming-of-age story for complicated times is for any young woman who has ever been told that she is "too much," or that what she fears is illegitimate, or that what she has to say is less important than keeping the peace.

Genres: Plays

104 pages, Paperback

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Amanda Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the atmosphere, tone, and content of this play. The play is spooky, investigative, funny, while also being serious about girlhood.

My only gripe, and it is minor, is that the vocabulary is very sophisticated for twelve and thirteen year olds and while all the kids do have unique perspectives to offer, their rhythms and speech patterns are all the same.

[sara 📖 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I guess? Had to read for 11th grade English. This is meant to be a dark-comedy but honestly it’s not all that dark. It is funny though, in its ridiculousness.

[Emilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s alright, there’s an open ending and some of the supposed main subjects are written sloppily, but the actual idea is very entertaining.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite play EVER

[Sophia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in tears reading the last ~15 pages of this play.

[Jason Rothery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Michaela has never reviewed any of my work, this is a fantastic, moving, and insightful work, and well deserving of its success.

[Not Sarah Connor Writes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Playwrights Canada Press for sending a copy of this play in exchange for an honest review.

I expected more from this. The themes are excellent, and I adored a few of the characters, but it just didn't hit the way I thought it would. The characters felt so much older than 12. I think a lot of teens would like WROL for roles that are available to them to play, if a production were to age them up a bit of course.

Read the full review on my blog!