Shook

by Samuel Bailey

Winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize, 2019 Instead of GCSEs, Cain, Riyad and Jonjo got sentences. Locked up in a young offender institution, they trade sweets, chat shit, kill time – and await fatherhood. Grace's job is to turn these teenagers into parents, ready to take charge of their futures. But can they grow up quickly enough to escape the system? Shook premiered at Southwark Playhouse, London, in October 2019, followed by a UK tour.

Genres: Plays

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2020

Reviews

[Molly Lidgerwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jonathan Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad, and has a really sense of inevitability about it.

[Josephine Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading the script after watching the play online - the theatre company Papatango filmed a production of the play as its transfer to the West End was cancelled because of the covid pandemic.
'Shook' won the Papatango Prize in 2019, deservedly so. The play is funny, fast-paced, and desperately moving. The writing, performances and filming are all superb, a skilful, intelligent, honest portrayal of one aspect of working class culture, contemporary masculinity, and life chances. I recommend seeing the play, if possible, as well as reading the script.

[Tom Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, touching and brutally tragic. The story of three young men in a detention centre, all with babies on the outside. The story is told over the course of their childcare lessons and is one of the most frank, nuanced and well written explorations of masculinity that I have ever come across, absolutely brilliant play. Brought me to tears like few things ever have.

[Charlie Froy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, touching and brutally tragic. The story of three young men in a detention centre, all with babies on the outside. The story is told over the course of their childcare lessons and is one of the most frank, nuanced and well written explorations of masculinity that I have ever come across, absolutely brilliant play. Brought me to tears like few things ever have.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving, funny and very clever piece of writing. Even on the page, the characters are painted with such depth and precision - their voices are all strongly felt. Reminded me of the 2013 film Starred Up in its examination of male aggression and the reform vs. punishment debate around prisons.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a play that is about three different young boys in a behavioural unit who are attending parenting classes. All the boys have a child or a child on the way.

Themes;
Fatherhood- the complications of not only being a young father but a young father in - behavioural unit
The conflicting ideas of the young boys wanting to do well but also the reality of being inside.
Self-esteem and what makes you a man. The idea that young men have to be violent to prove themselves and protect those they love.

I love how different all the boys where and we got to really see how different there stories are but also how they can come together and bond over where they have ended up.

This is beautifully tragic and really makes the reader feel for these boys. I just wanted to hug them and help!