Presented four years ago as a smaller work as part of Sadler’s Wells’ Reckonings programme, choreographer and dancer Botis Seva’s BLKDOG returns as a fully realised production. One that has won him an Olivier Award for Best New Production in 2019 and critical acclaim in 2021 as it returned to the Sadler’s Wells Stage. An exploration of memory and trauma, the Hip Hop production sees Botis reunited with musical collaborator Torben Lars Sylvest and also features spoken word elements from his performance company Far From the Norm. Ahead of the production, taking place on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October 2022 as part of Sadler’s Wells’s Well Seasoned programme celebrating black dance, Botis tells us more about what to expect
Hi Botis, your Award Winning show BLKDOG returns to Sadler’s Wells from the 30th September to 1st October. How are you feeling?
I’m feeling blessed to back at Sadler’s Wells. Performing in this theatre always brings back amazing memories as we developed some of the work in the building so it is a treat to get the performers back on stage – the show is a special one to me and I’m just grateful we can share it with a big audience.
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!