Naomi Holcombe finds this to be a play that explores anxiety, bullying and difference.
Selective mutism isn't something I know a lot about. Nor is it a subject I have seen portrayed on stage before. But Dana, the protagonist in Alexis Zegerman's new play Shout, gives us an insight into the world of someone who is desperate to communicate, but cannot.
The play explores social anxiety, bullying and difference. Written specifically for young people, I think it would resonate well with an audience of teenagers, whether or not they have heard of, or experienced, selective mutism before.
The play looks at friendships and challenges stereotypes. It reminded me of Sally Cookson's Wonder Boy with Dana, much like Sonny, who suffers with a stammer. In both plays we also get to hear the inner voices of the characters on stage and are therefore gain much more understanding of how they feel. The dramatic irony works well, and you can feel how frustrated the people around Dana feel at not being able to connect with her or empathise with her situation.
The ensemble nature of the play would work well with a decent-sized cast, and the fluent scene changes without the need for a cumbersome set would suit many young companies out there. The lack of defined scenes could bring pace and dynamism to the piece, if done well.
There are perhaps some trite stereotypes with the bullying ‘rugby lad’ turned friend, and Tristan and Dana's overprotective best friend Viv, but there is also a lovely honesty and vulnerability to Dana that is not overdone and feels genuine. Mental health can present itself is so many different ways and it's heartening to see Dana connect with someone unexpectedly a get a positive outcome.
As teachers, we spend a lot of time trying to put ourselves in the minds of our students in an attempt to understand them better. I don't think any of us would underestimate how hard it is to be a teenager in the modern world and this play explores many of the unexpected ways teenage mental health presents itself. Shout ‘wonders what exactly it takes to overcome anxiety and mental health issues when you're a teenager’ and it does so with humour, heart and humility.