What is the relationship between Phil and the others in the play DNA by Dennis Kelly Who has power?

Answer 1

Well obviously he's deeply attached to Leah, who is his best friend. He is still friends with the others though but to a lesser degree. Almost like he's only friends with them because of Leah. This is shown in the play when he comes up with the plan to get them out of trouble for killing Harriet, he wouldn't do that unless he was sort of friends with them.I think, personally, that Phil doesn't really like Brian. Probably because Brian puts the group at risk of being caught by not following the plan.

Everyone else, I assume he just tolerates on a friendly level.

To address your question about who has power, Phil's only comes out towards the end, prior to that he is content following the crowd, it isn't until John Tate is unable to control the situation that Phil does anything. At the end of the play, though Phil definitelyhas the power, as he tells Leah, John Tate is completely out of the scene and the only one who seems to be able to come up with anything is Phil and he ultimately kills Harriet (though indirectly as he gets Cathy to do it). Note: Dennis Kelly has told us that he is not a psychopath although many people feel that he is.

Hope this helped, I'm honestly not an expert, I just played him in a school play.

Answer 2

In "DNA" by Dennis Kelly, Phil asserts power over the group by manipulating and coercing the others to cover up a crime they committed together. Phil uses fear and intimidation to maintain control over the group, who initially follow his lead out of a sense of loyalty and fear of the consequences if they do not comply. The others depend on Phil's guidance and authority, which ultimately leads to a destructive dynamic within the group.