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A London theatre is to host its first “black only” season.
The series of plays is to be held at the ground-breaking Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, which previously ran a drama about the inquiry into the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence.
Three leading black writers — Kwame Kwei-Armah, Roy Williams and rising star Bola Agbaje — have written commissioned pieces examining the state of black Britain.
Kwei-Armah's Seize The Day looks at whether Londoners would elect a black mayor in the aftermath of President Obama's election in the US. The 42-year-old from Friern Barnet, said: “The symbolism of a black mayor would send out to the world it's not only America that is the land of the free.”
Williams's play Category B looks at the disproportionate number of black people in British jails. Williams, 41, from Greenwich, said: “It seemed like an exciting project — seeing black characters on stage coming from worlds the audience may not have seen before.”
In Detaining Justice, Agbaje, 28, from Greenwich, the London-born daughter of Nigerian immigrants, uncovers the issues facing asylum seekers.
Williams won the Standard's most promising playwright award in 2001 and Kwei-Armah took the same prize two years later. Agbaje was shortlisted last year.
Baroness Howells, a trustee of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said: “There are many black people in Britain who have achieved a great deal but too often it is not celebrated enough and much of the community still struggles to feel equal in British society. I'm all for plays which highlight the struggle people of colour face.”
Franklyn Rogers, whose recent photography exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, Underexposed, looked at the history of black acting talent, said: “Theatre is becoming more accessible and black actors and theatre needs to be celebrated. Young black people need role models.” The Not Black And White season runs from 8 October to 19 December.
Reader views (9)
Oh wow I hope the writing standard and talent on display is as good as Little Miss Jocelyn. She truly deserved to get her own TV show ahead of many others in the industry due to the hilarity and biting wit of her cutting edge performances.
Oh, and regarding "Williams's play Category B looks at the disproportionate number of black people in British jails." look at the perpetrators and victims of much of the gang related crime in London. You'll find your answer.
- Tom, London UK
You know, not much more than about ten years ago it was extremely rare to even see a black face on television, let alone a character that just happened to be black and wasn't written in for some race related issue. It's completely absurd that this should be an important breakthrough, but so it is. Why do people have to take the huff about it? There is an incredible amount of acting and writing talent in the black community that barely gets a look in, thanks to "the realities of casting". Time to move the mountain. Well passed time.
- Bloke, London
Hey, don't dump on Mike, he's making a valid point. And unless you know who he is, Verona, what makes you think he's not go a job?
- Paul, London
Why is it ok to have black only anything, Mike has a valid point, if there was a white only show and it was advertised as that; there would be uproar! Racism works both ways and it is not ok to promote positive discrimination based on the fact that things were majority white at one point. There can be a show with all black cast, but to say "black only" is indeed racist no matter how you present it.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
Spot on Maxy.
People like Mike Patton are blind to their own privileges and see attempts to re-dress the balance as a threat. Swallow your prejudice and get down to the Tricycle Mike, maybe you'll find out what you've been missing. Leave your blinkers at home though!
- Nolan, Londonist
Well said Maxi Max
Any positive or negative article about black people seems to bring some negative reaction from Mike. He spends so much time roaming for articles so he can refer to black people and their so-called "cry" for racism. Maybe he should get a life and a job!
- Verona, London
Of course the theatre has the right to stage whatever performances they wish. Maybe the theatre going public should think about a blacks only audience though? If white playwriters were to spout such rubbish about introducing black people to white culture the cries of racism would be deafening.
- Mark, London
Whites only session, huh, Mike? It has been whites only season forever. Now that a small theatre decides to do something temporary and different, you are up in arms?
Get a life and grow up Mike. Thanks, Max
- Maxy Max, UK
Okay, so how about a white only session? Hmm, I doubt it as the liberal elite will cry racism! This is exactly what makes people angry in this country.
- Mike Patton, London
