17, Finborough Theatre

'17' is the latest from Dameon Garnett, portraying the story of a teen facing an uncertain future.

Dameon Garnett’s third world premiere at the Finborough Theatre is on for a limited time this July. 17 was originally staged as a reading last year as part of the Finborough’s Vibrant Festival celebrating new playwrights. 

As is often the way with Garnett’s plays, he focuses on teenagers who are searching for their place in the world. The 17-year-old Scott (originally played by Last Tango in Halifax star Josh Bolt) is in crisis after the death of his adoptive mother and struggles under the safeguard of a new family and his real mother. The move from a working class to middle class environment only exacerbates problems. Scott, already eager to start his own life out of the ashes of the old, is not prepared to start afresh with these strangers. 

Finborough veteran Emma Faulkner directed the reading and will be returning for the exciting progression to the stage. Her staging of Dennis Kelly’s After the End in 2011 earned five star reviews and was lauded for her “totally involving” revival of Over the Bridge last year. Part of the illustrious Young Vic Director’s Programme, Faulkner already has a very impressive resume of over a dozen productions.

You can expect an excellent cast since the reading alone attracted some of TV’s finest— Michelle Butterly, Gary Bleasdale, Jack McMullen and Josh Holt. This tragic-comedy four hander is similar in tone to many plays that have premiered at the Bush or Gate and we recommend that you catch this new writer’s latest work while you still can at the cosy Finborough.