Synopsis

In a London flat, three children struggle to fend for themselves after their mother’s disappearance

Eliot, Maggie, and Finn, siblings aged 15, 14, and 7, are left alone in their new apartment when their unstable mother vanishes. As days pass, the older children try to maintain a semblance of normalcy while hiding their situation from the outside world. Their friend Cassie becomes entangled in their deception, while Katie, a concerned neighbor, grows increasingly suspicious.

Stenham’s play is a raw exploration of childhood trauma, family dysfunction, and the effects of mental illness on children. Through the siblings’ interactions, she examines themes of responsibility, resilience, and the loss of innocence. The play delves into the complex dynamics between the children as they grapple with their mother’s absence and their own fears of being separated by social services.

As the situation becomes increasingly desperate, Tusk Tusk raises poignant questions about the nature of adulthood, the boundaries of sibling loyalty, and the failings of the social safety net. Stenham’s dialogue crackles with tension and dark humor, capturing both the vulnerability and fierce determination of children forced to grow up too quickly.

When an unexpected visitor arrives, the fragile world the children have constructed threatens to collapse, forcing them to confront harsh realities about their family and their future. Will their bond be enough to keep them together, or will external forces tear them apart?