Synopsis

An all-girls boarding school

Mimi and Janey are two 10-year-old girls navigating the complexities of boarding school life. The play opens with them in a dormitory, discussing their daily struggles, friendships, and ambitions. Their relationship is marked by a blend of camaraderie and rivalry, intensified by the school’s social dynamics and their personal insecurities. The narrative also introduces Nina, an 11-year-old girl, and other characters like Mrs. B, the authoritative figure in the school, and Mr. Thorne, a governor. The plot unfolds through a series of interactions that reveal the girls’ attempts to assert their identities and cope with the pressures of their environment, culminating in a poignant exploration of childhood resilience and vulnerability.

The play delves into themes of friendship, identity, and power dynamics. It employs a linear narrative with realistic dialogue that captures the raw and often harsh realities of growing up in a boarding school. The tone shifts between moments of levity and tension, reflecting the fluctuating emotions of its young characters. Crowe’s writing is marked by its keen observation of the minutiae of adolescent interactions and the unspoken hierarchies within the school setting. The play’s style is intimate and immersive, drawing the audience into the confined yet emotionally charged world of its protagonists.