Monologue Analysis: Peak Stuff by Billie Collins

Character Context

Character: Ben
Age: In his 30s
Speaking to: Audience (direct address)

Synopsis

In Billie Collins' play Peak Stuff, Ben, a man in his 30s, reflects on his consumer habits and their roots in his childhood experiences. He recounts living in his mother's house, his compulsion for acquiring items, and a poignant memory involving his mother's cherished glass angel. This monologue delves into themes of materialism, familial relationships, and the emotional voids that possessions attempt to fill.

Original Text

Five o’clock, I leave the toilet and head home.
I live in my mum’s house.
Sounds sad, but it’s a nice house;
Red-brick end-terrace up-and-coming area.
Not like she’s using it.

There’s a parcel on the front door step.
Only ordered it yesterday –
It’s mad how quick they deliver.
I take it through to the kitchen
Where I’ve got tonnes of freebies from work
Veg bags, a spiraliser, stuff Mum would hate –

She never used to like having things.
Because the problem with having things
Is someone might take them away.
In fact, when I was a kid, there was only one thing –
One thing – she really cared about
One thing she really loved…
A little glass angel.
Tacky ornament
Gabriel probably. Peter? Who knows.
A gift from some priest or other
Used to sit on the mantelpiece,
And the light shining through it made
Rainbows on the wall.

Obviously, I wasn’t allowed to touch it
So, obviously I did.
I’d sneak down every night
And take it back to bed.
Don’t ask why, kids do weird shit.
And this goes on for years without her knowing.
Only one night, I must’ve been about nine or ten…
I drop it.
Glass everywhere
Bloody footprints on the carpet
I’m crying, Mum comes down and…
Doesn’t say anything.

I’m waiting for her to shout,
Shake me, smack me,
Part of me wants her to completely lose her rag –
But she doesn’t.

Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing

  1. Five o’clock, I leave the toilet and head home.
    I live in my mum’s house.
    Sounds sad, but it’s a nice house;
    Red-brick end-terrace up-and-coming area.
    Not like she’s using it.

    • Ben introduces his living situation, hinting at his mother's absence and setting the scene.

  2. There’s a parcel on the front door step.
    Only ordered it yesterday –
    It’s mad how quick they deliver.
    I take it through to the kitchen
    Where I’ve got tonnes of freebies from work
    Veg bags, a spiraliser, stuff Mum would hate –

    • He describes his recent purchase and the accumulation of items, contrasting his habits with his mother's preferences.

  3. She never used to like having things.
    Because the problem with having things
    Is someone might take them away.
    In fact, when I was a kid, there was only one thing –
    One thing – she really cared about
    One thing she really loved…
    A little glass angel.
    Tacky ornament
    Gabriel probably. Peter? Who knows.
    A gift from some priest or other
    Used to sit on the mantelpiece,
    And the light shining through it made
    Rainbows on the wall.

    • Ben reflects on his mother's minimalist tendencies and her attachment to a singular item, the glass angel, highlighting its sentimental value.

  4. Obviously, I wasn’t allowed to touch it
    So, obviously I did.
    I’d sneak down every night
    And take it back to bed.
    Don’t ask why, kids do weird shit.
    And this goes on for years without her knowing.
    Only one night, I must’ve been about nine or ten…
    I drop it.
    Glass everywhere
    Bloody footprints on the carpet
    I’m crying, Mum comes down and…
    Doesn’t say anything.

    • He recounts his childhood defiance, the eventual accident, and his mother's unexpected reaction, revealing complexities in their relationship.

  5. I’m waiting for her to shout,
    Shake me, smack me,
    Part of me wants her to completely lose her rag –
    But she doesn’t.

    • Ben anticipates punishment but is met with silence, leaving him with unresolved emotions.

Journey Keypoints

  • Hook: Ben begins by candidly sharing his current living situation and purchasing habits, drawing the audience into his personal narrative.

  • Turning Point: The recollection of the glass angel incident shifts the focus to his childhood and his relationship with his mother.

  • Climax: The breaking of the angel and his mother's lack of reaction culminate in a moment of emotional tension.

  • Resolution: Ben's reflection on this unresolved incident offers insight into his current behaviors and emotional state.

About the Playwright: Billie Collins

Billie Collins is a northwest-based playwright whose works explore contemporary issues with depth and nuance. Peak Stuff examines consumer culture and its impact on personal identity, weaving together multiple narratives to reflect on how possessions shape our lives. The play was commissioned by ThickSkin and Lawrence Batley Theatre and was a winner of the New Play Commission Scheme.