Dave really likes this one girl and also his skateboard. Joanna really wants her friend’s neighbour to leave her alone.

Dear Joanna, My favourite animals are Scorpions, explores obsession, innocence and growing up. The piece aims to turn the familiar inside out with themes such as stalking alongside childhood and first love. Dave is presented as an endearing boy with a huge crush on one of the girls in the neighbourhood. However, as the play goes on the cuteness of Dave’s unrequited love takes a disturbing turn, and we are forced to confront the darker aspects of adolescence.

Excerpts of Dear Joanna were staged at the Pleasance theatre in London in March 2026 as part of Chaos III by Long Nights Productions.

Performed by Clay Milner Russell, and Grace Maltman

“What begins as an innocent form of courtship evolves into a subtle suggestion of the origins of incel culture.” - The Reviews Hub

Up next:

A rehearsed reading of Dear Joanna at the Cockpit Theatre, May 3rd 2026 at 5:30pm.

Get your £3 ticket here: https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/new_stuff_may_evening_1

Photo by Coleman Bohn