I have to admit that I actually had to look up what ‘sket’ means in the ever enlightening Urban Dictionary. It wasn’t pleasant and as the venue for this play was the sexual health clinic in Southwark, I had to really push myself to venture out on my only official night off this week. As is so often the case, I am so glad that I made the effort.
After several minutes circling the grim municipal building on Burrell Street trying to find the entrance, I suddenly realised that the shiny, glamorous arches conversion across the road was actually the venue. Gosh! Sexual health clinics have changed a lot in the last decade.
It was great to be greeted by a smiling Prav MJ, the director of the piece and founder of Liminal Space Productions who explained a little more about this project and it was even more encouraging to see the place filling up for the rehearsed reading. Written by Maya Sondhi, Sket takes an uncompromising look at sex and sexual identity from the point-of-view of young, contemporary urban teenagers. With issues and experiences lifted from real life, Sket uncovers the dangers of cyber bullying and how the battle of the sexes has taken a leap backwards into the murky trenches of social networking.
Sondhi’s written style is concise and engaging, employing the recognisable vocal patterns of south London’s youth - think Catherine Tate meets Kidulthood. There is plenty of humour but the main thrust of the story centres on peer pressure and the lack of self-esteem rife among young teenagers in an age where privacy is simply not an option.
Running at about one hour, there is definitely room for exploring a little more of the back-history to these kids lives. The denouement may be shocking - no spoilers here - but there is room for plenty of foreshadowing at the beginning that will only improve the structure. The rehearsed reading featured an excellent cast of young, talented actors and this is certainly a project that Sondhi and Liminal Space Productions need to take further. If you don't believe me, catch the reading for yourself here - who knows, live streaming rehearsed readings may be the best way to get new projects off the ground in future.
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