Nearly 60 years ago, Lyndon B. Johnson would become the 36th President of the United States (1963 to 1969). His presidency would witness the ‘War on Poverty’ – allowing for millions of Americans to earn above the poverty line and the signing of various Civil Rights bills banning racial discrimination. That moment in time would also witness the formation of the Civil Rights Movement – a fight for equal rights. Fast forward to 2019, and Donald Trump’s rhetoric couldn’t be anymore jarring from these efforts made in terms of bringing communities together. Controversial in his delivery and approach, there is no doubt that Trump is a polarising figure. Set in ‘69, yet resonant today, celebrated playwright August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize nominated play Two Trains Running is adapted by the English Touring Theatre, and is currently on a UK tour. Taking on the role of Sterling, Michael Salami tells us more about the show.
As times shift, tastes change, something we’re currently witnessing in regards to the role of the pub. Once the heart of local communities, we now find that 25% of UK pubs have shut down since 2001. Exploring what this institution means to different people, Anna Jordan’s We Anchor in Hope transforms The Bunker into a full functioning pub. During the show’s run, Anna tells us more about her approach in terms of creating the show, what she’s learned from writing the show and offers advice to aspiring writers!
Within the UK, we often find we learn and hear about international conflicts via the news, online and print media. The role of technology playing a crucial role in us all finding out what’s happening, yet simultaneously creating a barrier between us and those directly impacted by said conflicts. Drawing on the use of technology to report on such issues, Artist Caroline Williams talks about her show ‘Now is the Time to Say Nothing’, co-created with Syrian Filmmaker Reem Karssli and currently playing at the Battersea Arts Centre.
Divisions within our society have become extremely apparent post the EU Referendum, unearthing tensions that have seemed to have simmered for decades. In a time whereby the rise of technology has helped bring people together, rhetoric from powerful figures sadly work against this, their encouragement of building borders and placing blame elsewhere a worrying trend. Exploring the idea of ‘borders’ both physically and mentally, playwright Afsaneh Gray presents ‘The Border’; a collaborative piece created alongside young people in Croydon and Bedworth and dramaturg Sarah Dickerson. Mid tour, having already visited Redbridge Drama Centre, Wanstead Festival, The Northwall Arts Centre and Theatre Peckham, Afsaneh tells us more about the show!
In 2013, the Birmingham local council would receive a damaging letter claiming a plot was underway to run local schools under strict Islamic doctrine. This letter outlined a plan known to many as ‘Operation Trojan Horse’, its ultimate aim of whomever sent it, to implicate various figures. This very letter would then be passed onto the Home Office and Department of Education and would subsequently be leaked to mainstream press. This very letter would start off a chain reaction of detrimental events – insensitive headline articles, emergency OFSTED inspections of 21 schools in Birmingham and Michael Gove openly criticising the Home Office on tackling ‘non violent extremism’. Tahir Alam, the former chairman of the Park View Educational Trust who ran three schools in Birmingham and fourteen other teachers would receive lifetime bans that would later be dismissed. This scandal was damaging to the local community of Birmingham, and sadly six years on, we’re living in a world whereby Islamaphobia is on the rise, scandals such as this fuelling a dangerous climate of hate. Tapping into the voices affected by the repercusions of this national scandal, writers of LUNG Theatre Company Helen Monks and Matt Woodhead talk about their latest show ‘Trojan Horse’ – a show placing verbatim at its core.
Introduced in 1861 under colonial rule, Section 377 would include the criminalisation of same sex relationships, an unjust action that would impact on the lives of many. However, on the 6th September, 2018, the Supreme Court of India would rule this inclusion as ‘unconstitutional’ and would therefore witness its decriminalisation. We’re at the forefront of a new decade, and with this, we are witnessing global shifts against certain conservative attitudes, and this is significant. LGBTQ+ stories are starting to be discussed openly, laws slowly being overturned and human rights being exercised. Choreographer and Theatre Maker Jaivant Patel explores this era of change we’re living in in his debut piece ‘YAATRA’ – a fusion of Kathak and Contemporary dance exploring LGBTQ+ narratives, faith and spirituality. Ahead of its showing at TARA Arts Theatre on Thursday 17th October, Jaivant tells us more his choreographic and musical process, exploring personal aspects of his identity and what audiences can expect from the show!
We have a long way to go, however seeing discussions focused on women’s rights is a step forward in the right direction. In 2018, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, 7.9% of women experienced domestic violence, that’s roughly 1.3 million of the population and 28.9% aged between 16 to 59 have suffered some form of domestic abuse from aged 16 – 4.8 million. The Police Service of Northern Ireland have reported a worrying increase in domestic violence incidences, reporting a 5.4% rise from October 2017 to September 2018 and the highest since records began in 2004/2005. However as this topic is complex, and is often hidden, it’s difficult to quantify just how much this occurs. We’ve also witnessed conversations on the personal topic of abortion take place, Northern Ireland currently in the process of decriminalising it, ensuring regulations regarding abortion services are put in place by April (BBC News). Playwright and screen writer taps into these pertinent issues in her current play ‘Gutted’, set four decades prior to now. Ahead of the show’s run starting from Friday 4th October & Saturday 5th October at the Marlowe Theatre, Sharon tells us more about what to expect.
Irene Danner-Storm hailed from a family of circus performers. One of few Jewish families to own a circus business, the Lorch family would suffer greatly from the horrifying rise of antisemitism and the Nazis’ rise to power; the devastating climate leading to the beginnings of WWII. A decline in business and facing the possibility of being sent to a ghetto or concentration camp, Irene would be the first within her family to flee to the Althoff Circus as a means of survival. Inspired by Irene’s incredible story, performer and theatre maker Stav Meishar presents her solo show The Escape Act – A Holocaust Memoir, a production close to Stav’s heart, having trained in circus arts and being the descendant of Holocaust survivors, we learn more about how Irene’s story has impacted her both personally and professionally.
We all have our own stories to tell, our lives a mixture of circumstances and obstacles that have shaped our present. Inspired by a childhood friend’s tough circumstances, musical performer and theatre maker Jeannette Bayerdelle crafted her award winning one woman show ‘SHIDA’, a show focused on family, friendship and love. Currently showing at The Vaults, the recently Off West End Award nominated show integrates rock, R&B, jazz and gospel music to give voice to her friend’s story. Ahead of the run, Jeannette discusses her creative process, working with Joshua Zecher-Ross and Noam Galperin on the musical aspect of the show and what she’d like for audiences to take away from the show.
On 10th April 1998, The Good Friday Agreement was signed by Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, Mo Mowlam and David Andrews. After decades of political and societal unrest and setting into motion the Northern Ireland peace process, the agreement was a significant step forward for creating a united Northern Ireland and securing prospects for the nation. However, two decades on, present generations live under the strain of previous political and societal unrest, a third of the population live on or under the poverty line and mental health issues, especially within the working classes are sadly sidelined. Drawing from her experiences of living in Belfast, playwright Alice Malseed’s Jade City highlights these pertinent issues, having written the show as a ‘matter of urgency. Currently showing at The Bunker, Alice tells us more about what to expect from the show.