With raw storytelling and dramatic visuals, Crea-Shakthi’s new play Prime Cut attempts to throw light on the lives of sex workers, their struggles, joys and most importantly — to be a medium to voice their opinions. This is a collaborative piece where actors work without a script, but construct plot-points and unconventional stage desig ns like restricting light to create the illusion of cramped spaces, a representation of situations where sex workers are transported to other cities. Prime Cut is directed and written by 22-year-old George Varghese, a full time thespian and artiste at Crea-Shakthi. “Prime Cut is a play focused on sharing grappling and daunting accounts sex workers face on a regular basis, their struggles and simple joys,” says George.
“It aims at instigating conversations and initiatives aimed at their welfare. The play also discusses mental health of sex workers, which is disregarded beyond their immediate needs.” George feels that this was a story waiting to be told. “I’ve always grown befuddled by the idea of prostitution being frowned upon as a profession, and the outright denial of basic rights to them. Staging my concerns through theatre, was rather comforting.” The group of five got together in a bid to lose their inhibitions, considering the plot was sensitive and the characters, challenging. They soon began to collate stories, incidents and photos. The group chose select stories with their own interpretations and had it fall along the lines of a singular performance.
Talking about the sensitivity of the topic, George says that they decided to bring a performance that was raw, honest and would evoke strong imageries. “The motive is to not sugarcoat any events thus leaving us astray from the fear of sounding preachy with our story. We have not set out with a single message for the audience. We have instead projected different facets of sex work so that each viewer can invoke a message as per their own interpretation.”
At Alliance Francaise of Madras. For ages 18 years and above. On March 31, at 4 pm and 7 pm. Tickets RS 200 onwards.