DRESS, THE FOLD; SHOES, TABITHA SIMMONS
109Future ShapersThepioneering playwrightCash Carraway, 38, is an award-winning
playwright and author ofSkint Estate,
her memoir of being a working-class
woman below the poverty line in modern
Britain. Her play,Refuge Woman–
about state violence and poverty porn- was nominated for Best Innovation at
the British Journalism Awards in 2018.
Inspiration can strike anywhere.I was
working in a Soho strip joint in London shortly
before my mum threw me out. After finishing
lateone night, I walked down Shaftesbury
Avenueand saw the words ‘Shopping’ and
‘Fucking’ lit up in neon on the Gielgud Theatre.
A few days later, my friend and I bunked off
school and went to a matinee, which changed
my life. It was a play written in a vulgar language
that I understood. It inspired me to know you
could write in the same way you spoke, and be
so honestly obscene in the retelling of your
own story that it becomes a crude art form.
Never underestimate the power of
believing in someone.When I was 17, I wrote
a play calledKnife Fight In A Phone Box,
which I put on at school. One girl said it was
embarrassingto reveal parts of my private
life, and I was so embarrassed I never went
backto school. Weeks later, my drama teacher
wroteme a letter to say how much he enjoyed
myplay, and that no matter what I did
with my life, I should carry on writing. His
encouragementmeant everything and it helped
merealise it’s crucial to find a way to tell your
stories,whatever your age or circumstances.
Ruffle feathers.When something doesn’t
feel right, speak up. In the past, I’ve found
myself going along with things that make me
feel uncomfortable so that I don’t cause
offence. I’m aware this comes from a place
of privilege. I know from personal experience
that it’s almost impossible to speak out if
you’re working zero hours for minimum wage,
because your bosses constantly make it clear
just how disposable they think you are.
Reflect, reflect again, then take action.
This is new to me because I’m an emotionally
led person. It’s important to speak out when
something isn’t right, but it’s only effective if you
handleit in the right way. I have some rules I try
tostick to: don’t send the angry email as soon as
you’ve written it, go for a run or call a friend before
yousend it instead. Chances are, it needs toning
down. And if you’ve been abrupt, always
apologise and own your mistakes.