A new Indian talent in London

OneWorld UK

By Daniel Nelson

Welcome a new Indian writing talent: Anupama Chandrasekhar. Her play, Free Outgoing, is running at the Jerwood Theatre upstairs at the Royal Court in Londons Sloane Square.

In a series of fast-paced, tightly written scenes, the play shows what happens when a video clip of the sexual indiscretions of a schoolgirl becomes common currency on the Internet, shattering the lives of her mother and younger brother, then their neighbours and finally becomes a national scandal to be exploited by the media.

The sharp writing is reinforced by good acting and presentation. It combines attention-grabbing entertainment and engagement with important contemporary issues. Superb.

Its an exciting achievement for a young Chennai-born Indian writers first full-length (90 minute) play. Theres surely more to come from her.

What would be the reaction in India? I wish I knew what the response would be if it played in Chennai. I really dont know, Chandrasekhar told a post-performance discussion with the audience last week.

The girl at the centre of the plays controversy, 15-year-old Deepa (Indias most watched teenager) never appears on stage, which takes the focus away from the obvious Why did she do it? to the impact on her mother and brother and the way that Indias still predominantly conservative culture handles the fall-out.

I was not interested in telling the story of Deepa, explained Chandrasekhar. It makes sense for me not to have Deepa around because so many other issues would have been brushed aside.

Its a sign of the audiences engagement with the characters and the story that in the after-show discussion so many supported the suggestion of a sequel so they could find out what happens to Deepa and the family in later life.

* Royal Court