Monica Dolan (W1A, Appropriate Adult, The Witness For The Prosecution) has won a Stage Edinburgh Award for her performance in The B*easts. The awards, which are handed out across August, are not defined by category but recognise an outstanding performance at the Fringe.
Natasha Tripney, in her review for The Stage, wrote, It’s an intelligent piece of writing. Information is relayed in a precise and measured way as Dolan examines her story from every angle, seeding questions in the audience’s mind… Performing her material herself, Dolan has taken a bold approach with this play.
On winning the award, Dolan comments, “I am so grateful to The Stage for this incredible award obviously – I had no notion of anything like this happening from my first piece of performed writing, my first solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe. When you write and are embarrassed to show people, in the dark as to whether it might connect with anyone in the smallest way, you are at the start of such a faltering, uncertain journey – you never have any idea of something like this happening. So, thank you for this. It is a great surprise.”
Setting the modern obsession with putting your own child first against our responsibility as a society towards our children as a whole, this dark tale, written by and starring BAFTA award-winning actress Monica Dolan explores how far one mum will go to put what her child wants first.
Dolan’s first solo play explores the pornification of our culture and the sexualisation of our children. In a society where sexuality and gender are such a huge part of who we are, how we identify, and how we are defined, The B*easts looks at how soon is too soon to strive for perceived sexual ideals.
The B*easts is at Underbelly Cowgate (Big Belly) until 27th August at 6pm. An extra show has been added on 26th August at 7.20pm.
