SHIFT+SPACE | Period Drama by Malini Raman-Middleton

‘Period Drama’ is a comedy-drama that follows Priya, a witty, self-aware teenager navigating the isolating and exhausting reality of chronic pain, suspected endometriosis, and teenage life. While waiting for an email that could finally offer a diagnosis, Priya relives fragmented memories from different stages of her life, ranging from humiliating hospital appointments and medical dismissal to tentative lesbian relationships and often laughable attempts to fit in. Alongside characters such as Lolade, bold and creative; Ali, caring yet conflicted; and Priya’s well-meaning but unfiltered mum, the play explores Priya’s search for perfection. Desperate for a “normal” life, Priya creates a checklist for the perfect teenage experience: academic success, friendship, love, and her future career. As she chases these milestones, her health repeatedly undercuts her progress, causing her plans to fracture and stall. Priya must decide how much she is willing to put on the line to get what she wants.

Romeo Lau - Producer

Malini Raman-Middleton - Writer

Age guidance: This performance is recommended for ages 14+

Content warning: This performance contains some strong language and adult themes.

Interval: This performance does not have an interval.

Post show discussion: This performance does not have a post show discussion.

See our Accessibility Guide for information about access in our venue.

From South London, Malini Raman-Middleton is an filmmaker and playwright based in Catford. Growing up in a mixed Hindu and Jewish household in a culturally and economically diverse area of London, her work explores themes of identity, belonging, and social justice through a personal and political lens.Her short film Jhumki was shortlisted for the UK Asian Film Festival 2024 and won the Philadelphia Youth Film Festival. She has also recently worked on Abaayo, a short film directed in Vancouver with Ghetto Film School. After being selected for the Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab she is now expanding her practice into theatre.https://www.maliniramanmiddleton.com/

Instagram: @lola.malini

This performance is part of the SHIFT+SPACE programme

Theatre Deli’s SHIFT+SPACE programme is a free performance opportunity for artists to present their work that needs an audience to develop, where artists keep 100% of the Box Office!

Find out more about the SHIFT+SPACE programme here.

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