Invisible Friends
Invisible Friends by Alan Ayckbourn is a play published by Faber & Faber in 1991, consisting of 72 pages. The story follows an ordinary teenager named Lucy, who feels neglected by her family as they become absorbed in their own distractions. In an attempt to cope with her loneliness, Lucy revives her childhood imaginary friend, Zara, who brings an idealized version of family life that ultimately leads to unexpected consequences.
Readers will find that the play explores themes of family dynamics and the importance of communication, particularly between parents and children. As Lucy’s fantasy unfolds, she learns that the ideal family she longs for may not be what she truly desires. This edition presents a cautionary tale that resonates with both children and adults, emphasizing the need for connection and understanding within families.
Official synopsis Publisher
Alan Ayckbourn’s play is about a very ordinary teenager called Lucy. With her father glued to the cowboys on the telly, her mother preoccupied with neighbourly gossip and her brother enclosed in his ear-phones, no one wants to know about her place in the school swimming team. So Lucy revives her childhood fantasy friend, Zara, setting a place for her at the very ordinary tea table. This time Zara materializes, bringing with her an idealized father and brother, and showing Lucy how to make her real family vanish. The moral of this cautionary tale is carefully spelt out – that when you get what you want it’s not what you wanted – as Lucy’s dream family turns out to be a nightmare. The play is supposedly for children of seven upwards, but there’s a message here for parents, too, about listening to kids.
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