In my own skin, in my car…

 

I’m a person that climbs into the car and turns on the radio, it’s always set to Radio 4; I skipped from radio 1 in 2010 in the car, kitchen and bathroom radio 6. There’s a time for music, a place for thought.    

                                                                                                                                                                 

Last week I listened to this drama called ‘In My Own Skin’ whilst driving to Mcr, over the hills through Oldham, and the story took me the whole way there. I’m just on time and clamber into my floor-messy, small white vehicle turns left onto A62.

 

Katy and Nate, introducing themselves, so true to life you feel like you’re sitting on their sofa listening in. Cheerful banter and teasing about on coming wedding, and neighbour Maya calling round to get a missed delivery, (Down to 30mph through Marsden, watch out for sheep)  all very normal and every day, until a sledgehammer of a nightmare unrolls fast. Showing the speed of anything nasty on the internet.           

                                                                                                                                                  

We feel like Katy might be us, given her age and life, it could be us. sighs, traffic, traffic. What would you do if “inappropriate” rudey-dudey photos of you got out on the internet? If employers and family were to see them? To some – I know, given their selfies, they’d probably shrug and think jog on, good luck to you for looking; but to others, this has led to bribery, to humiliation, to suicide.    

    

Notices the turning to Uppermill is still closed, carries on.  The worries and guilt, the enormity of what’s unfurling, Katy goes through the list of who to talk to what to do, as her life within hours takes an almighty nosedive and she pleads for help, but with a small voice, it’s not like she can write on facebook “Recommendations please, anyone know anyone that’s had private photos of themselves thrown all over social media and know what the hell to do?”  no, she can’t write that.

 

Approaching Oldham, that bit where you have to turn left by the coned off section, carefully check over left shoulder. She excuses herself, giving reasons why, YOU’VE NO REASON TO EXCUSE WHAT YOU DID KATY! The cold shudder of realising how far in miles and time this could go, the world, forever.   

 

                                                                                                                                                               

The blame sets in, who could’ve shared them? Who would’ve done this? The story brings in news reports and messages, to read or not to read? Bringing up other aspects of her physical appearance, teasing and spreading, but what would you do? Driving passed Asda on left, could nip in to get some donuts for the nippers. Not enough time, carries on.    

                                                                           

In this time of cover up so you’re not in danger, pout and put your hand on your hip, be proud of who you are, but look more like this, be airbrushed before you leave the house, have everything the same as everyone else, be unique but the same, act your age as long as it’s 23 (or 33 if you’re over 40), what messages are we listening to?   

 

Katy is taken to a dark place of loneliness, the worst one; the one surrounded by lots of people. Her anger and frustration make her do something that we would all hope we’d have the courage to do, to voice (in a loud one this time) her thoughts. Arrives in Ancoates! Who listens? You’ll have to tune in to hear. 

 

A great insightful piece of writing, acted so it sounds like they aren’t acting. Listen, it’s brilliant.

Original drama written by Debbie Oates.

Directed by Nadia Molinari

Katy – Melissa Johns

Nate – Nico Mirallegro

Maya – Julie Hesmondhalgh

Presenter – Louise Minchin

Only a week to catch it on iplayer