Crushed Shells and Mud (NHB Modern Plays)

By Ben Musgrave

England trembles in the grip of a devastating epidemic. But in a remote coastal village, quiet Derek waits for love and life to really begin. Then Lydia arrives. She burns brightly, beyond Derek's wildest dreams. And she is hiding something.
When Derek discovers her secret, they are both propelled into a strange new world of conflicted desire and dangerous loyalties, where terrifying forces test their courage and humanity. But can love survive the fear inside?
Ben Musgrave's Crushed Shells and Mud premiered at the Southwark Playhouse, London, in October 2015.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Oct 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781780016658

Book preview

ACT ONE

Scene One

She Crawled Out of the Sea

The east coast of England.

A field. High brambles, nettles, tall grasses obscure a view of the sea. The memory of a path down.

In the other direction, a track leading to the village.

Within the field a holiday caravan, weathered, battered, seagullspattered.

A changeable day in summer. At this moment it is grey.

DEREK emerges from the caravan, carrying a plain brown notebook. He goes to the side of the caravan, and climbs up the side-ladder.

From the top, he looks at the sea for a moment, then sits down, dangling his legs from the roof.

He takes the notebook, and makes a slight adjustment to what is written within.

He starts to read what he has out loud.

Scene Two

Lydia

By the caravan.

A brighter day.

DEREK is showing LYDIA around.

He is not in her league.