KNOT HEART - Almeida Theatre

Plot SummarySophie Stanton and Lisa DillonPhoto: Keith PattisonGet in touch with who youreally are. As opposed to theperson you think you are andwho you think you should be.MarinaScene 7held prisoner, as her mother held her. Brian allows herto go, but she breaks down pleading for help. He asksher to wait while he goes to get the number for a CrisisIntervention team to see if they can help.Scene 73 days later, a basic room in City Roads Drug CrisisIntervention Centre in Islington. Lucy washes and looksat herself in the mirror: she looks and feels better.Marina, a care worker, enters and asks why Lucy did notcome down to breakfast. Lucy says she felt sick,because of the methadone and the smell of fried food;Marina tells her it is important for her to eat, to get herstrength up, and encourages her to socialise with theother people staying there. Lucy says her mother couldbuy her a better room and Marina points out she islucky to have a room at all – and a single room at that –as there are only thirty beds serving all of London.Marina reminds Lucy that she has made an agreementto stick to the rules of the Centre. Lucy does not want tosee anyone else and Marina points out that she hasmore similarities with them than she might realise, thatshe could learn from them. Marina reminds Lucy thather first group session is coming up and she had agreedto attend, but Lucy says that she is ashamed. Marinaquestions Lucy as to why she is here, and we learn thatLucy thinks she would rather be dead, that she has hadevery opportunity and that other people will think bad ofher for throwing it all away. Marina reminds Lucy thatshe called the centre because she wanted to get betterand that she will be safe, that she has presented on TVto millions so can cope with talking to a few people in agroup session. She says she will wait outside for Lucyand go with her to her first session. Lucy thinks for along time, takes a deep breath and walks out of herroom.Scene 8A room in the Crisis Intervention Centre, three weekslater. Barbara is waiting nervously when Lucy enters withMarina. Marina is surprised to see Barbara, asking wholet her in, as she shouldn’t be here. We see Lucy hasput on weight. Barbara has brought some of Lucy’sfavourite childhood food with her: spaghetti bolognaise,macaroni cheese, sandwiches and crisps. She suggeststhe food in this centre could not as good as a privaterehab clinic she suggested in Bath, and Lucy asks hernot to be rude. Barbara has also bought Mr Dog, Lucy’schildhood cuddly toy with her; Lucy does not want it.Barbara hugs Lucy, who is uncomfortable. Marina asksto talk privately with Lucy, but Lucy says it is fine to talkopenly in front of Barbara. Lucy is not keen to returnhome and Barbara tells her that she has invited Angelaaround for the weekend. Lucy announces that she wantsto stay longer; however, Marina points out that she has11 Resource Pack: The Knot of the Heart