The Free Word Centre is running a diversity workshop for arts organisations, particularly literature and literacy organisations, looking to invigorate, refresh or kickstart their approach to diversity. The session will provide advice and structured support for organisations that want to increase diversity in their staff, audiences, and artistic programmes. The seminar-style session will enable participants… Continue reading Diversity workshop at Free Word Centre
México20: New Voices, Old Traditions
The México20 anthology brings together the work of 20 young Mexican writers under the age of 40 to an international readership. Join three of the featured writers, Laia Jufresa, Brenda Lozano and Daniel Saldaña París, as they discuss with journalist Maya Jaggi their work, the anthology, the vast literary tradition of Mexico and how brave… Continue reading México20: New Voices, Old Traditions
Everyman
Under moral pressure: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Everyman). Photo credit: Richard Hubert Smith Play: Everyman Theatre: National Theatre Writer: Carol Ann Duffy Director: Rufus Norris Review by Joy Francis Watching the reworked 15th century morality and miracle play Everyman in the wake of the General Election, and amid the hype of Big Brother 2015, feels strangely apt.
Blood
Love under scrutiny: Adam Samuel-Bal (Sully) and Krupa Pattani (Caneze). Photo credit: Robert Day Play: Blood Theatre: Soho Theatre (then on tour) Playwright: Emteaz Hussain Director: Esther Richardson Review by Natalie Gormally Set in an East Midlands Pakistani community, Blood is billed as “a 21st century urban love story”. Performed by just two actors, it’s… Continue reading Blood
beneverunerstoost
Play: beneverunerstoost (rehearsed reading) Theatre: Royal Court Playwright: Nick Gill Director: Vicky Featherstone Review by Natalie Gormally With the elections over and the country faced with five years of Tory rule, did our political leaders captivate us with persuasive arguments, or did they just bore us with stage-managed events, sterile photo opportunities and familiar soundbites?
The Spalding Suite
Calling all ballers: KM Drew Boateng, Jason York, Marcquelle Ward and Emmanuel Akwafo. Photo credit: Helen Maybanks Show: The Spalding Suite Venue: The Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre Writer: Inua Ellams Director: Benji Reid Review by Esha Chaman The Spalding Suite is a slick tribute to basketball which bounces between emotional lows and… Continue reading The Spalding Suite
Interview with Cyril Nri
The many faces of Cyril Nri. Photo credit: Mark Douet Cyril Nri is one of this country’s most versatile actors. From the start of his career in the early 1980s with the Royal Shakespeare Company, acting opposite greats like Max Von Sydow, to burning up our TV screens as Superintendent Adam Okara in The Bill,… Continue reading Interview with Cyril Nri
Result
Nothing but the football. The cast of Result. Photo credit: Greg Goodale Play: Result Theatre: Pleasance Theatre, Islington Playwrights: Alex Clarke and Michael Clarke Directors: Alex Clarke and Michael Clarke Review by Joy Francis Recent media coverage of the beautiful game continues to pick holes in its glamorous image, with young footballers on trial for… Continue reading Result
Hotel Arcadia
Book: Hotel Arcadia Author: Sunny Singh Publisher: Quartet Books Price: £15.00 (Hardback) Review by Natalie Gormally Hotel Arcadia is a luxury hotel under attack by terrorists. War photographer Sam, who has just finished her latest assignment, is looking forward to a hot bath and clean sheets. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of yet… Continue reading Hotel Arcadia
Liccle Bit
Book: Liccle Bit Author: Alex Wheatle Publisher: Atom (young adult imprint of Little, Brown Book Group) Price: £6.99 (Paperback) Review by Mahalia Changlee Liccle Bit is an intricate novel which offers a refreshing perspective on young urban city life, and intertwines the complex problems of gang culture and relationships through the hilarious and relatable protagonist,… Continue reading Liccle Bit