by Kwame Owusu
'The supernatural is possible and the impossible is natural and life teeters on the edge of the unreal'
Malachi's been looking forward to a fresh start at uni for months. He's settling in, he's got a stack of books to read and he's met someone new - Kojo, a musician with a megawatt smile, who's basically perfect.
But something doesn't feel right. He keeps having the same nightmare - sinking, crushed by the weight of the ocean - and it's getting worse… A beast grows in the water, hungry, relentless, hunting him but always just out of sight. As the boundaries between nightmare and reality fracture, Malachi must fight harder than ever to stay afloat.
Kwame Owusu's play Dreaming and Drowning is an intimate and visceral deep-dive into the boundless mind of a young Black queer man wrestling with anxiety.
It won the Mustapha Matura Award, was shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award, and was one of the winning plays in the RSC's 37 Plays competition. It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in November 2023, directed by the playwright, performed by Tienne Simon, and produced by WoLab.
Paperback, 80 pages
Every purchase you make from the National Theatre Bookshop helps fund the vital work of The National Theatre. Whether that's putting new work on stages across the world or supporting our outreach and learning programmes, every purchase you make really does make a difference.
Our staff are insightful and knowledgeable, many of them work as actors, artists and playwrights. Have a look at what they recommend this month and see if you can find your next piece of inspiration.
Our exclusive National Theatre gifts will be sure to add a smile to their recipient. Whether a budding playwright, a natural performer or a National Theatre super fan there is something for everyone.
Give the gift of reading. Our experienced booksellers hand select, wrap and post a beautiful book to you every month. With Plays, Fiction or Poetry you can delight in making the words come to life in your hands.
