The IT

by Vivienne Franzmann

A teenage girl has something growing inside her. She doesn't know what it is, but she knows it's not a baby. It expands. It has claws. Eventually it takes over the entirety of her body.
No one must know about it. She has to keep its presence, its possession of her, concealed. She pulls away from her friends. She refuses to speak, in case 'The IT' is heard. But she can't contain it forever. Sooner or later something's got to give...
Presented in the style of a direct-address documentary, Vivienne Franzmann's The IT is a darkly comic state-of-the-nation play exploring adolescent mental health and the rage within.
Written specifically for young people, the play formed part of the 2021 National Theatre Connections Festivals and was premiered by youth theatres across the UK. It offers opportunities for a large, flexible cast of any size and mix of genders.
'The standout text [of the Connections festival] for character development, plot and vivid use of language and imagery... perfect for the age of information with an exciting, darkly enticing pace' - Red Pepper magazine

Genres: Plays

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2021

About the author

Vivienne Franzmann was a Drama teacher for twelve years. She left teaching in 2009 to pursue writing after winning the 2008 Bruntwood Playwriting Competition. The play that won - MOGADISHU -was also winner of the George Devine Award in 2010 and opened at the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester in January 2011. She was awarded the Pearson Playwright Bursary for the Royal Court, which started in 2012. She has written for Radio 4 and her new play PESTS will premiere in the Spring seasons at The Royal Court and The Royal Exchange Manchester.

Reviews

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love the concept, but it didn’t quite deliver in the way it was described - the limited speech from grace herself was frustrating and reduced our connection to her firstly, and i also think it should have explored her issues further. but i did enjoy the detail of the news articles/videos she was consuming and IT’s response to them - it was current which made it impactful

[Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
That Funny Feeling as an icky horroresque female rage play.

[Luiza Parodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful play! Great brief read with some really potent monologues

[Jess]

Read this in preparation for starting my teacher training.

I remember performing this play in school and being in awe of its realism, and intensity. The characters are realistic teenagers, and the adults are written in such a dynamic way that really shows the playwright's understanding of a teenager's perception of adults.
Such a fantastic text for today's students to be exposed to. The themes are definitely jarring and would take some support to ensure each student is consuming this content in a safe way. But I'm really excited to teach this text one day.

[Athena Psihudakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting take on teenage mental health. It’s like a documentary style so it’s just filled with monologues!!

[Regina]

DNF! not for me...

[Angelika Gwiazda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The It more like the shit

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it’s a play but god would this be killer as a novel