A Tornado of Gossip and Pretence: Teens' First Night Out Ends in Pain
In Miriam Battye's harrowing play, The Virgins, a group of teenager friends, all virgins, embark on their highly anticipated first night out. What ensues is a toxic cocktail of gossip, pretence, and pain, as they try to navigate the complex world of relationships and sex.
The evening begins with Chloe (Anushka Chakravarti) and Jess (Ella Bruccoleri), two best friends who have decided it's time to "go out out" – a euphemism for their first night of partying. Joined by Phoebe, a friend prone to panic at the mere mention of men, they prepare to meet Anya (Zoë Armer), a girl from the year above who promises to teach them the ways of love and sex.
As the night wears on, the group's dynamic becomes increasingly tense, with Chloe trying to impress Anya by fabricating stories about her relationships. Meanwhile, Phoebe's anxiety reaches boiling point as she tries to avoid any unwanted attention from the boys next door, who are engrossed in video games.
Battye's script is a masterclass in capturing the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence. The girls' conversations are stilted and guarded, like they're discussing wild animals – a metaphor that rings all too true. As Anya hands out advice, it becomes clear that sexual experience is currency in this world, with Chloe desperate to assert her power and independence.
The play's use of dramatic orchestral music creates a sense of unease, mirroring the characters' discomfort as they navigate their relationships. The stage drops into darkness between scenes, leaving the audience gasping for breath as the lights return, poised on the edge of a cliff.
Despite some plot threads left unexplained, Battye's strength lies in writing scenes that feel authentically raw and honest. If you've lived through nights like these, The Virgins will land uncomfortably close to home – a reminder that adolescence can be a painful and formative experience.
In Miriam Battye's harrowing play, The Virgins, a group of teenager friends, all virgins, embark on their highly anticipated first night out. What ensues is a toxic cocktail of gossip, pretence, and pain, as they try to navigate the complex world of relationships and sex.
The evening begins with Chloe (Anushka Chakravarti) and Jess (Ella Bruccoleri), two best friends who have decided it's time to "go out out" – a euphemism for their first night of partying. Joined by Phoebe, a friend prone to panic at the mere mention of men, they prepare to meet Anya (Zoë Armer), a girl from the year above who promises to teach them the ways of love and sex.
As the night wears on, the group's dynamic becomes increasingly tense, with Chloe trying to impress Anya by fabricating stories about her relationships. Meanwhile, Phoebe's anxiety reaches boiling point as she tries to avoid any unwanted attention from the boys next door, who are engrossed in video games.
Battye's script is a masterclass in capturing the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence. The girls' conversations are stilted and guarded, like they're discussing wild animals – a metaphor that rings all too true. As Anya hands out advice, it becomes clear that sexual experience is currency in this world, with Chloe desperate to assert her power and independence.
The play's use of dramatic orchestral music creates a sense of unease, mirroring the characters' discomfort as they navigate their relationships. The stage drops into darkness between scenes, leaving the audience gasping for breath as the lights return, poised on the edge of a cliff.
Despite some plot threads left unexplained, Battye's strength lies in writing scenes that feel authentically raw and honest. If you've lived through nights like these, The Virgins will land uncomfortably close to home – a reminder that adolescence can be a painful and formative experience.
it's about a group of teenagers trying to navigate relationships and sex for the first time and it's like they're speaking my language 
the way they describe their conversations as "stilted and guarded" is literally me describing my own high school experiences 
i loved how the playwright captured the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence, it's like they were watching our lives unfold on stage 
anyway i think what resonated with me most was how sex became this currency for these girls, it's wild to think about how much power and independence can be tied to someone else's experience 
Meanwhile, the music is like this ominous soundtrack that's just buildin' tension and suspense. I'm pretty sure there's a hidden message here about how society expects women to be all these things at once - independent, powerful, yet vulnerable. It's like, they're tryin' to navigate this complex web of expectations and it's eatin' away at 'em. 
it's like, they're trying to be grown up, but they're still just teenagers 
i mean, who hasn't had nights where they felt like they were going to die or make a huge mistake? 
it's crazy that sexual experience is kind of like currency in this world - it's wild to think about how much pressure those girls are under 
but also kinda sad. the way they treat each other as if they're competing for some sort of validation token is just so toxic 
Battye's script is fire btw, so raw and honest it's like looking into a mirror
. It's just another example of how messed up society is when it comes to teenage relationships and sex ed. I mean, Chloe fabricating stories about her relationships? That's just basic manipulation 
. And what's with Phoebe being so anxious about guys? Like, grow up already? 
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!! Can't w8 2 see dis play live! 
. But what struck me was how important it is for us to be honest with ourselves and others about our feelings and boundaries.
we can't pour from an empty cup, so let's make sure we're taking care of ourselves first. The play might have a dark tone, but at its core, it's a reminder that growth happens in the messy, imperfect moments 
i'm curious to know more about the girls' backstories tho, some plot threads left me wondering what happened next 
I mean, who hasn't had those cringe-worthy moments with their friends on prom night or whatever? It's like, you're all trying to have fun but also super nervous about what others think. And the part where Chloe tries to impress Anya by making up stories about her relationships is like, so relatable 
. I also felt so bad for Chloe trying to impress Anya by making up stories about her relationships... like, girl, just be yourself, you're way more interesting 
Can't wait to see what other plays Battye comes out with 
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. It's like, we've all been there where we try to present this perfect image online, but really we're just trying to hide our insecurities 
just saw this play 'The Virgins' and it's honestly so cringeworthy yet relatable 
chloe's desperation is palpable, and phoebe's anxiety is super triggering 
. I remember when I was in high school, we just didn't talk about that stuff as openly... I feel bad for the younger generation having to deal with all this drama 
are they just a distraction or do they actually add to the drama?