Monkeyface

by Raphael Phillips

A raw, funny and urgent solo show about identity, isolation and the search for belonging.

Set within the four walls of a university bedroom, Monkeyface follows a young Black queer student navigating the euphoric highs and crushing lows of Freshers’ Week, toxic friendships, club culture, desire, racism, mental health and the aching need for connection.

What begins with the messy, familiar chaos of university halls (flatmates, nights out, pre-drinks, missed lectures and the pressure to find your people) slowly unravels into a deeply personal portrait of a young person trying to stay afloat in a world that does not always know how to hold him.

Monkeyface is a bold debut play that moves between comedy, confession, club culture and emotional crisis with startling honesty. At once specific and universal, the play asks what it means to belong when every space seems to ask you to leave part of yourself at the door.

“You don’t need to exist in this life just Black, or just Queer. You can enter as both. Proudly. Always.”

The play offers:

• A substantial role for one performer
• Contemporary themes relevant to students and young audiences
• A vivid university setting
• Opportunities for physical theatre, voice work and character shifts
• Strong discussion points around identity, race, sexuality, mental health, friendship and belonging
• A flexible solo show format suited to studio theatres, festivals, universities and drama schools

With its university setting and direct engagement with identity, isolation, racism, queer experience and mental health, Monkeyface is a rich text for drama students, university courses, youth theatre groups and discussion-based study.

The play also includes questions for study, discussion and performance, making it particularly useful for classes exploring contemporary theatre, solo performance, character development, social identity, voice, space and audience address.

Content warning

This play contains strong language, including racial slurs, references to drug use, sexual content, and themes of racism and mental health.

All rights in Monkeyface are strictly reserved. Application for performance should be made before rehearsal to Raphael Phillips c/o Salamander Street.

Cast: 1 actor
Duration: 70 minutes
Themes: Identity, race, sexuality, mental health, friendship and belonging
Suitable for: Small theatre companies, studio theatres, touring companies, drama schools, university performance, Queer theatre festivals and discussion-led programming