Hard to Swallow

2020 Edition

Set text for Eduqas GCSE 9-1 Drama exam

Based on Maureen Dunbar's award-winning book and film Catherine: The Story of a Young Girl Who Died of Anorexia Nervosa. Catherine Dunbar died in 1984, after a seven-year battle against anorexia nervosa. She was just twenty-two.

Mark Wheeller's potent documentary play uses the words from Catherine's diaries and also of those most closely involved and affected.

This 2020 edition includes a foreword by the late Maureen Dunbar, unseen extra scenes and a reflection by Mark, on the astonishing journey of this widely studied play since its first performances, including one by OYT on the Olivier Stage of the Royal National Theatre.

Suitable for: Key Stage 3/4, BTEC, GCSE
Duration: 75 minutes approximately

Cast: 6 female, 3 male, 22 female/male, or 3 female and 2 male with doubling.




"This play reaches moments of almost unbearable intensity… naturalistic scenes flow seamlessly into sequences of highly stylised theatre… such potent theatre!"

Vera Lustig, The Independent




"Elegantly structured, highly informative, and imaginatively theatrical. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."

Anne McFerran, Stage and Television Today