Two years post pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, the importance of reconnecting to one’s roots has been an important stride within a very transformational time period, generational trauma a state explored more openly now. An exploration of an Igbo couple captured from Nigeria, West Africa during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Sonny Nwachukwu‘s show Saturn Returns draws on the historical event of The Igbo Landing, a mass suicide by the captive Igbo people in 1803 onboard a slave ship in refusal of slavery.

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With the mid-terms for the US presidency due to take place this November, this will determine who makes up the House of Representatives as well as a third of the senate in a currently Democratic run US. Fast forward to 2024 where the US will decide who the 47th president elect will become, the journey towards that final outcome continues. Delving into this meticulous, competitive road to victory, Mike Bartlett presents The 47th, a prophetic, Shakespearean take on one of the world’s most pivotal events.

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The world beyond our own has been a source of inspiration for thousands of years, Astronomy a natural science concerned with the universe beyond ourselves and the celestial realm. The invention of spaceflight in the 1960s one that has for the past 60 years helped to start bridging the gap between us and the world out there, inspiring imagination and innovation. In 2015, astronaut Tim Peake and his fellow team ventured the International Space Station (ISS) to complete a spacewalk, the mission taking a total of 185 days and witnessing Peake even running the London Marathon whilst there. Combining the images taken from some of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) locations and compositions, BAFTA and Ivor Novello Award nominated composer of TV and film Ilan Eshkeri presents Space Station Earth to play at the Royal Albert Hall on 15th May. Ahead of the performance, Ilan tells us more about what to expect!

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Returning for their latest edition, The Roundhouse’s The Last Word Festival will take over the iconic venue from the 9th to the 23rd June, some of London’s most vital voices including The Receipts Podcast, BBC Radio 1xtra’s Richard Brave, founder and authors from A Quick Ting book series hosting talks exploring some of society’s most pertinent issues. Alongside these discussions, workshops led by writer and performer Jack Rooke and the ‘Letters to the Earth’ team will inspire and support writers looking to further perfect their craft, the Roundhouse’s renowned Poetry Slam yet again searching for the next young pivotal voice to be crowned Slam champion. New works – Sankofa: Before the Whitewash by Abena Essah, Matriarch by Keziah Hodgson and Gardens + Other Such Tree Places by Ruth Awolola all due to debut at the event. Ahead of the festival, senior producer Jack Prideaux tells us more about what to expect!

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Embodied Cognition is the scientific theory that our mental processes are heavily influenced by the body, sensory and motor systems intertwined with the mental realm. This theory drawing parallel to metaphysical practises such as divination, alchemy, shamanism and hypnosis – all with a holistic acknowledgement of mind – body – soul. Exploring both the scientific and the spiritual and how they intertwine in new work No-How Generator, choreographer Matthias Sperling, alongside fellow dancer Katye Coe guide us all on a ritual-like hour.

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Whatever your dreams or aspirations may be, the thought of achieving said accomplishment/s powers the everyday, the pursuit of stardom one familiar to many, the realities of holding down a day job whilst auditioning for that possible career changing role one that many within the arts can relate to. A tender observation of pursuing one’s dream with the day to day realities of managing a pub, writer Helen Cunningham presents The Queen’s Arms, a familiar, thoughtful take on the hospitality teams that help make our days run that bit more smoother.

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Kaash returns to the Southbank Centre for Pandit Ravi Shankar’s 100^thbirthday celebration with sophisticated ferocity. Rooted in the South Asian classical dance form Kathak, the show delights and wonders senses accustomed to western rhythm. His first full-length play Kaash is an important milestone for the now distinguished Akram Khan and it is a treat to see it again today to see how it all began. It is comforting that his signature remains unchanged in his steady devotion to accessible contemporary world-class dance drawing from his heritage in the subcontinent of India.

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The Chicken and Chip shop has become a marker of our early 21st century high street landscape, establishments serving their local communities, they serve not only as a go to spot for an affordable meal, but also as a sanctuary – a staple for the younger generation, shaping experiences of many growing up in London. Presenting a raw and nostalgic coming of age story about growing up in South London and exploring gentrification and its impact on the lives of its youths, writer and performer Corey Bovell will debut his show Chicken Burger N Chips from the 3rd until 6th May at Brixton House as part of their Housemates Festival. Ahead of the show, Corey tells us more about exploring the show’s themes, collaborating with businesses Morley’s Chicken and Afterhours Restaurant to create the show and what it means to form part of Brixton House’s (formally known as Ovalhouse) new chapter!

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Many of us can get ourselves trapped into self destructive psychological patterns as a result of traumas that have been left unresolved, learning to live with said patterns without the know how of how to stop the destructive cycle or finding the spiritual realm one that serves as a comfort and integral support system. Exploring the psychological and the spiritual in his work Saturn Returns showing from Thursday 21st until Sunday 24th April at Brixton House as part of The Housemates Festival, writer Sonny Nwachukwu tells us more about his choreopoem inspired by Igbo mythology, the show’s creative process and what we can expect!

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Safaa Benson-Effiom and Justina Kehinde, courtesy of Steve Gregson.

Love is an incredible, complex entity – one that asks for compromise, union and the respect of one another. Whether in a newly established, long term relationship or marriage, couples learn to navigate the ebbs and flows of what comes with love. The experience of loss within a relationship, one that impacts a connection greatly and something both individuals experience on an individual and partnership level. An exploration of love and loss and how both states coincide with one another, finalist of the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and Soho Theatre’s 2019 Tony Craze Award Safaa Benson-Effiom presents Til Death Do Us Part which will play from the 3rd to 21st May at Theatre503. Ahead of the production, Safaa tells us more about exploring the themes of love and loss further, working with the creative team to realise her vision and what she’s taken away from the show’s creative process.

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