Before pursuing a career in acting, Phina Oruche graced many a fashion campaign, most notably for Gap and worked alongside the modelling holy trinity; Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington. Oruche’s career however wouldn’t stop there as she’d later pursue a career in television, taking on various roles including the self assured Liberty Baker in the ground breaking Footballer’s Wives. Oruche is now taking on another role; that of writer in her debut show Identity Crisis. Read on to find out more about the show.
To make it within the arts, you have to have the passion and the determination to succeed. The industry is incredibly competitive, and what can often be glossed over are the countless amount of auditions attended to gain that lucky break. Performer Aaron Rahn is currently embarking on this journey, and is also adding a touch of the West End at Leon-a restaurant embracing the arts and bringing a slice of theatre to the dining experience. Aaron talks about his time at Leon, his inspirations as a performer and offers very useful advice.
Artistic Director of Baltimore Centre Stage Theater, Kwame Kwei-Armah tells us more about the venue!
Evening Standard Award winner Kwame Kwei-Armah blazed the trail in 2003, with his fifth work, Elmina’s Kitchen becoming only the second play written by a black playwright to be staged at the world renowned National Theatre. The play would also become Olivier Award nominated, and would also televised, further highlighting the playwright’s ambition and talent. Fast forward to 2017, and Kwame has helped to steer the Baltimore Centre Stage Theater into a collaborative, digitally aware and dramaturgically driven direction, taking on curatorial responsibilities as the theatre’s Artistic Director. Find out more about how the celebrated performer and playwright decided to take on this exciting role in the U.S.
Bruntwood Prize winning playwright Naylah Ahmed returns with Ready or Not, a topical piece of theatre focusing on our post 9/11 world and the experience of Muslims worldwide. ‘The War on Terror’ is a phrase we hear all to often now and have become desensitised by but what does this entail? Who or what is ‘terror’? Who is the enemy? Drawn by this new landscape we find ourselves living in Ahmed speaks about how she has been supported by Kali Theatre to bring this narrative to light.
Improv has to be one of the most challenging yet exciting theatre forms to perform. There’s no script, therefore spontaneity is key. Shows such as ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’ have really helped to popularise improv, but what’s been prevalent is the lack of diversity within the range of improv groups within the UK. Having noticed this issue, actor Sunny Dhap founded Jumprov, the UK’s first BAME improve collective. Ahead of their first show in May at the Old Joint Stock Theatre, Sunny talks more about the company’s beginnings.
2017 will mark 70 years since India became independent from British rule and with this leaves an everlasting effect of rebuilding and remembering. There were many figures that would have been crucial in ending colonial rule however sadly are left out of the history books. Pritilata Waddedar, a member of revolutionary group Surya Sen in 1932 took on the Pahartali European Club, a local act of rebellion that would only go on to contribute to the domino effect of a nation fighting back. Siddhartha Bose talks more about this little known revolutionary figure and her legacy.
We now live in an era where we ourselves are the reporters/camera operators/documentarians. We simply take out our phone, record a video clip, share it on video sharing sites and social media and in a matter of seconds that slice of history goes viral. It’s this tech advancement that has really awakened individuals into the injustices happening by the police on innocent civilians; in particular police brutality and stop and search. These issues effecting black males have been happening for decades, however it’s only now that it is becoming a talking point. Artist and performer Urbain Hayo knows all to well about the repercussions of these injustices and has instilled this into his debut show Custody. Read on to find out more about the topical show here.
David Henry Hwang’s latest drama Chinglish witnesses an American protagonist attempting to establish a business in China; however what stands in the way is a lack of knowledge of culture and the language. Lobo Chan prepares for his role as Cai Guoliang- Culture Minister of Gue Yang; responsible for granting the American protagonist the permission. A trained opera singer and actor, Chan has starred on both stage and screen-most notably starring in Peter Jackson’s epic King Kong in 2005. Chan speaks to us about his latest stage role.
The role of the producer is paramount when it comes to piecing a show together. When you consider the amount of shows that open in London, and the selected few that enjoy success, this offers a reminder as to how tough the role can be. Cue Tim Johanson, one of the capital’s youngest producers, who has been responsible for staging a range of fresh and exciting works from David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face in 2013 at the National, to Sabrina Mahfouz’s Fringe First winning Chef. Tim talks to us about his latest theatre projects.
Tiata Fahodzi are renowned for highlighting stories from the African Diaspora and have challenged stereotypes for two decades. The company’s 3rd Artistic Director, Natalie Ibu continues this tradition by collaborating with the UK’s best Black British talent to take a snapshot of Britain today. Award winning actor and writer, Arinzé Kene returns to writing for the stage, having written critically acclaimed God’s Property for Talawa Theatre four years ago. Arinzé speaks to Theatrefullstop about Good Dog, a piece tackling many issues through the eyes of a young boy in contemporary Britain.