A crucial figure at the forefront of better representation within the arts, writer Titilola Dawudu has actively paved a formidable path with her Here Me Now series. Published in 2018, her book Here Me Now Volume One was made available to performers looking for monologues representative of their own cultural heritages, identities and experiences. The Hear Me Now Festival, comprising of various pieces from Black and South Asian artists in 2020 and the Hear Me Now Podcast in 2021 following on from the success of volume one. Currently, volume two looks to continue on from this incredibly necessary journey paved so far, with the release of the publication due for 25th August. Ahead of the release, Titilola tells us more about her Hear Me Now journey so far, working with Tamasha to create this crucial resource and what performers can expect from the book!
Hi Titilola, Hear Me Now Volume Two is now available to pre-order on various platforms for the 25th August. How are you feeling?
Determined to improve the representation of disabled artists on our stages and screens, award-winning actor and public speaker Julia Hales has broken barriers by becoming the first TV host living with Down Syndrome to present on Australia’s national broadcaster ABC. Initially performed in 2018 as part of Perth Festival, before being staged in 2019 as part of Black Swan State Theatre Company’s season, her show You Know We Belong Together, will make its UK premiere at the Southbank Centre, Purcell Rooms from the 18th to 20th August, before a run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A collaborative effort including fellow ensemble members Joshua Bott, Patrick Carter, Tina Fielding, Mark Junor, Melissa Junor and Lauren Marchbank, You Know We Belong Together is an exploration of the ensemble’s personal experiences and their day to day realities via monologues, video, scenes, dance and song. Ahead of the production, Julia tells us more about exploring the show’s themes further, her inspirational advocacy journey so far and what to expect from the show.
Recorded in the ship’s logs in the early 1600s, English sailors voyaging on behalf of the East India Company stopped off in Sierra Leone where they performed Shakespeare’s Hamlet to local dignitaries. Although Shakespeare was an active playwright of the time, the gesture is one that is questioned, why? An examination of this encounter, which predates the Atlantic slave trade, multi award nominated writer Rex Obano presents The Hamlet Voyage – an age before British imperialism and before Shakespeare becoming globally recognisable. Having played at Bristol Harbour Festival’s 50th anniversary on board the Matthew ship, a replica sailing ship, the production will play at the Bridewell Theatre from the 20th to 23rd July. Ahead of the London premiere, Rex tells us more about exploring this part of world history further, working with the production team to realise the show and what audiences can expect!
Childhood is where we often establish life long friendships, a formative aspect of our lives, the school setting offers an integral opportunity to not only learn, but socialise. From a young age, we also begin to pick up on societal cues, cues that determine our life paths and shape daily interactions. Having debuted their production Playfight last year, Orisun Productions, consisting of producer Shereener Browne and director Leian John-Baptiste present an examination of the corrosive way in which racism determines the direction Black lives take, the show following best friends Kai, TJ and Zara who initially inseparable encounter change that challenges this. Currently playing at Theatre Peckham as part of their fringe festival, Shereener and Leian tell us more about the show’s pertinent topic, taking part in the inaugural Peckham Fringe Festival and what audiences can expect!
Within the past decade, the face of food delivery has shaped how we dine at home, food delivery apps our new normal, delivery drivers now a staple on our streets, with food now accessible at the click of a button. Inspired by his own experiences within the service and delivery jobs sector, writer Max Wilkinson created show Rainer during the initial 2020 lockdown, an unpredictable time period that would place a higher demand on the delivery sector. Rainer explores the experiences of the eponymous solitary bicycle delivery driver as she whizzes across London in response to demand, placing her much needed voice centre stage. Currently playing at the Arcola Theatre, Max tells us more about exploring his own personal experiences further, the show’s two year creative process and working with his fellow team to realise the show!
Our families are what keep us rooted, often our first interaction with the wider world, here is where initial meaningful connections are formed. Marking the re-opening of the Arcola Theatre with their spring season, Barney Norris returns with the premiere of his latest work We Started to Sing, a piece tracing the distance that grows amongst a family over 3 decades as they pave new lives for themselves across the UK. Having recently just opened, the production plays until Saturday 18th June. Forming part of the production’s ensemble, cast member Naomi Petersen tells us more about what inspired her to take part in the show, what preparing for her role involved and what she’s learned from the creative process.