Published 25 years ago now, Eileen Browne’s well loved storybook Handa’s Surprise continues to inspire imaginations. Set in East Africa, Kenya, the book’s lead takes on a soon to be memorable journey to visit her best friend Akeyo in a neighbouring village. The book, a fun, humorous tale with a heartwarming message of friendship, generosity and the element of surprise and unpredictability has currently been adapted for the stage by Marleen Vermeulen and starring Rujenne Green and Hannah Akhalu at the Little Angel Theatre until Saturday 16th April. The family show is a lovely addition to the children’s theatre genre, and a great way to spend half term and the upcoming Easter Holidays. Currently available to book now, Eileen tells us more about her inspiration for the book, the book’s theatrical adaptation and celebrating the story’s longevity.

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Renowned for showcasing the work of diverse artists across a multitude of disciplines, arts development organisation Certain Blacks continue on with their mission as they present their latest eclectic line up in their upcoming Shipbuilding Festival. A week long event exploring ‘what it is to be British and diverse in these challenging times’, post pandemic, Brexit and Black Lives Matter. Marking the conclusion of their year long development programme, the festival will present four different works, one of which including a performance from dance duo Alleyne Dance, consisting of identical twins Kristina and Sadé Alleyne. Acknowledged for their fusion of a range of dance styles, from West African dance to Kathak, originating from India performing to create resonant sequences – their latest work, A Night’s Game will be performed on Friday 18th February and seeks inspiration from stories of imprisonment, escape and fighting for freedom. Ahead of their performance, the duo tell us more about exploring these themes further, what it means to take part in Certain Black’s pertinent showcase and what they’ve taken away from working on the piece!

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First published 110 years ago in 1912, celebrated author Kahlil Gibran’s novel Broken Wings is noted for its progressive stance on the rights of women – the novel’s central narrative, a tale of ill-fated love set in 1920s New York, as an ageing Gibran narrates a tale transporting us back two decades to turn of the century Beirut influenced by Kahlil’s own life journey. Adapted for the stage by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment with Bonnie Comley and Stewart F Lane, with a Middle Eastern score by duo Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan, the team craft the novel into a romantic resonant musical for our times. Graduate of the Guildford School of Acting Lucca Chadwick-Patel takes on the role of Young Khalil Gibran, the show’s lead protagonist. Currently showing at the Charing Cross Theatre, Lucca tells us more about what drew him to take part in the production, how he’s approached preparing for the role and what it’s meant to him to be a part of Broken Wings!

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Originally due to showcase Swiss based work in August of 2020, Pro Helvetia were forced to postpone their Swiss Selection Live showcase due to the impact of the pandemic. Fast forward to 2 years on from the original due date, and they return with a trilogy of works – Trân Tran with Here & Now, Ntando Cele with Black Off and Alan Alpenfelt with Binaural Views of Switzerland. Ahead of this year’s event, which takes place at Brixton House from the 8th until 12th March 2022, Project Lead Ruby Glaskin tells us more about what to expect!

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Dealing with the intricacies of running a nation asks for an adept, rigorous, tenacious skillset and mindset. A role not to be taken lightly, imagine suddenly being catapulted into this complex reality. Exploring this further in show General Secretary, comedy duo Cassie Symes and Georgina Thomas place the experiences of two inexperienced leaders as they navigate their way through this new normal for them to the fore. Initially starting life out as a short live-streamed piece last year, before being shortlisted for a Funny Women Award – the work-in-progress’ next stop sees the show performed at the Soho Rising Festival, staged at the Soho Theatre next month. Ahead of the show, Cassie and Georgina tells us more about the show’s creative process so far, what it means to have been recognised for their work by the Funny Women Awards and what we can expect from the show!

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Celebrating over 30 years of nurturing and championing UK stage design talent, the Linbury Prize for Stage Design – in collaboration with the Linbury Trust and National Theatre have recently announced the recipients of their 2021 Award. A cohort consisting of 12 graduates from some of the UK’s top drama schools, the prize offers each winner a bursary of £5,000 and a design associate placement alongside an established designer. A much needed confidence boost, in what has been a very challenging 2 years post the pandemic, the prize offers a chance to acknowledge the great work that continues to take place off stage. Graduate of Wimbledon College of Arts Ruth Badila and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Blythe Brett tell us more about what it means to receive the award, what they’ve taken away from their training so far and their future aspirations!

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Crafted by celebrated Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning American composer, lyricist and playwright Jonathan Larson, best known for his iconic genre shattering work RENT the musical, lesser known musical tick tick BOOM is a semi-autobiographical work telling the story of an aspiring composer and his relatable tussle between sustaining a successful career within the arts Vs leaving the profession to pursue a more secure career path – a ticking clock the show’s defining feature. Originally performed almost 32 years ago Off Broadway, the musical returns to our screens, currently – now available to stream on Netflix, revived by Pulitzer Prize/Tony Award/Grammy Award/Emmy Award/Olivier Award winning all rounder Lin Manuel Miranda and starring BAFTA and Tony Award winning actor Andrew Garfield as the show’s lead Jonathan Larson. Led by Olivier Award winning actor Giles Terera MBE, noted for his role as Aaron Burr in musical Hamilton, and in partnership with Netflix, Lin and Andrew delve further into the film’s creative process in an exclusive filmed interview.

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Born out of unpredictably of the pandemic last year, the #WeShallNotBeRemoved campaign, co-founded by former government disability champion Andrew Miller MBE and celebrated Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company Jenny Sealey MBE have tirelessly campaigned for a more inclusive arts sector moving forward. Their efforts so far having witnessed them secure over £150,000 in additional funding for disabled artist, ensuring that inclusivity was included in public statements around the reopening of theatres and serving as a support system for the deaf, disabled, learning disabled and neurodiverse community. The initiative has been recognised for the inspirational work achieved so far, having made the shortlist for ‘Community Project of the Year’ at the prestigious 2022 The Stage Awards. Andrew tells us more about the initiative’s aims and hopes!

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Courtesy of Sarah Hickson.

As we continue to build up a wealth of theatrical stories from the Black British perspective, we help to form a nuanced view of both recent and old British history, something incredibly important for society moving forward. Adding to the wealth of stories now gracing our stages, Crying in the Wilderness’ Artistic Director Paul Anthony Morris presents Conundrum, a show exploring the displacement and various experiences of a first generation Black Briton. Due to show early next year at the Young Vic, Paul tells us more about staging the piece nearly 2 years after its postponement due to the pandemic, the importance of placing a greater focus on well-being for both artists and audiences and what to expect from the show!

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