‘On 17 March 2020, just twelve hours after the theatres closed,’ writes Papatango's Artistic Director Chris Foxon in the introduction to this collection of monologues, ‘we launched Isolated But Open: Voices from Across The Shutdown, to create a new infrastructure that would ensure stories could continue to be told.’ This book is part of the product of that launch. Having produced the world premieres of ten monologues online free to watch, the collection was also published free online by Nick Hern Books.
There are actually twelve monologues in the book: writers Anders Lustgarten and Rachel De-Lahay wrote two in order to inspire others to submit their work, and they are included here as well: De-Lahay's ‘Balcony Bonding’ being one of the monologues which speaks very directly to the experience of lockdown and self-isolation.
Variety was obviously a factor in the choosing of winners: many of them could be performed by people of any age or gender, but where the intention regarding age or gender is made clear, it ranges from school-children to those much older, and includes pieces written by and suited to people of a variety of ethnicities. As such, it would be a great starting point from which to find material for a diverse group of students.
Different subjects speak to different people, and for me personally the stand-out monologues in the book are ‘Leave a Message’ by Hannah Mribiha, which beautifully captures cross-cultural long-distance parenting and the experience many had of first-expressions of love in the face of adversity; ‘Pythagoras’ by Emma Pritchard, which also relates directly to the experience of lockdown and is perfect for an actor of school-age, and ‘Hips’ by Alex Riddle – meant for an older man, but with a funny and moving premise of a father and son who both find fame as musical impersonators, of Elvis and Michael Jackson respectively.
This is a lovely place to go to find up-to-date writing that your students will find very accessible and be able to perform well.