All Things Nice

Synopsis

A cozy bedroom in 1960s Scotland, where childhood innocence collides with the harsh realities of growing up.

Samantha, a 13-year-old girl on the cusp of adolescence, finds solace in writing letters to her pen pal. As she pours her heart onto the page, we glimpse the tumultuous world of a teenager grappling with first crushes, family tensions, and the dawning awareness of adult complexities. Her words, sometimes painfully honest and other times carefully crafted, reveal a young mind trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world.

All Things Nice is a delicate exploration of coming-of-age told through the intimate medium of letter-writing. The play’s structure, likely alternating between Samantha’s monologues and interactions with family members, creates a poignant contrast between her inner world and outer reality. Macdonald’s keen ear for teenage vernacular infuses the piece with authenticity, while moments of gentle humour soften the edges of more serious themes. As Samantha navigates the treacherous waters of adolescence, the audience is invited to reflect on their own formative experiences, the secrets we keep, and the universal struggle to find one’s voice amidst the cacophony of family expectations.