Dean McBride (NHB Modern Plays)

Set in Croydon, South London, Dean McBride by Sonya Hale is a vivid and poetic story of deprivation, loss and redemption through love, which tells the story of Dean, a young man hardened by suffering, who struggles in life before finding his way back to happiness. A monologue play, Dean McBride was a finalist in the inaugural Heretic Voices competition, presenting the best new writing in monologue form, and celebrating unique voices with exceptional stories to tell. It was first performed at the Arcola Theatre, London, in 2018. The play is also available in the volume, Heretic Voices: Three Award-winning Monologues. 'Three exceptional plays... powerful, emotional, rage-filled works that rail against injustice but contain tenderness, humour and passion... it's a pleasure to witness this simple, powerful storytelling' - LondonTheatre1 'A whole theatrical season condensed into an evening' - Exeunt Magazine 'Inspiring... a poetic assembly indeed' - A Younger Theatre

Sonya Hale has had plays performed at The Southbank Centre, Latitude Festival, E15 University and in prisons and treatment centres. She has worked with Synergy Theatre Project, Clean Break Theatre Company and Outside Edge Theatre Company. She runs writers' workshops with Outside Edge and is currently under commission at Clean Break. Rehearsed readings of her first play Glory Whispers were performed at Theatre503 after winning Synergy Theatre Project's national prison scriptwriting competition. Dean McBride was inspired by her own experience of addiction and her struggles to be a mum to her thirteen-year-old son. They now live in South London and enjoy a close bond and a happy relationship.