New Century Arts, founded by Don Kinch, is launching The Back Yard, a new innovative performance space in the garden space at the back of its offices in Handsworth, Birmingham. The all day extravaganza will feature music, spoken word, plays and dance with artists such as David Grey, Soweto Kinch, Jonzi D and actor Doreene… Continue reading The Back Yard

On Thursday 18 July 2013, Words of Colour Productions hosted a very special In Conversation event with award-winning author and children’s laureate Malorie Blackman OBE. As part of that event we held a competition for two young fans to win the chance to attend the event and meet Malorie, read to her from their favourite… Continue reading Malorie Blackman competition winners

Bordering on farce: Tanya Fear as Chipo, Don Gilet as The Narrator and Nyasha Hatendi as Commander Specimen. Play: The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior and his Sexy Wife Chipo Theatre: Tricycle Theatre Playwright: Denton Chikura Review by Natalie Gormally Tiata Fahodzi and Denton Chikura’s first ever collaboration – the snappily titled The… Continue reading The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior and his Sexy Wife Chipo

Father of the Congo with his “children”: Ira Mandela Siobhan, Josépha Madoki, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Patrice Lumumba, Sandra Reid and Oliver Tida Tida. Picture by Johan Persson. Play: A Season in the Congo Theatre: Young Vic Playwright: Aimé Césaire/translation by Ralph Manheim Review by Joy Francis The short, complex and tumultuous leadership of the charismatic… Continue reading A Season in the Congo

Writer and life coach Jackee Holder is launching her third book, 49 Ways to Write Yourself Well. Published by Step Beach Press, the information and exercises featured will help readers build and maintain a regular writing practice to enhance their wellbeing and help them maintain a journal. Also included are the many values and benefits… Continue reading 49 Ways to Write Yourself Well

The largest prize for emerging Caribbean writers has opened for entries to its 2014 literary non-fiction round. Awarded each year at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in the Port of Spain, the Hollick Arvon Prize is an open competition for emerging writers living anywhere in the Anglophone region of the Caribbean and writing in English.… Continue reading Hollick Arvon Caribbean Writers Prize

The White Bear Theatre Club is seeking submissions for new plays from writers at every level of experience. Submitted plays must be complete, not been produced before and have been written for the stage – not for film, television or radio. Those selected will have the opportunity to be part of a programme of hourlong… Continue reading Write Club

This is larger-than-life African comedy by Denton Chikura turns storytelling on its head. With just 24 hours to create the ultimate African fable, the cast is missing a hero. Suddenly, a dashing goatherd called Nhamo appears on the horizon. Is he the one? Directed by Lucian Msamati, artistic director of Tiata Fahodzi, it stars Tanya… Continue reading The Epic Adventure of Nhamo the Manyika Warrior and His Sexy Wife Chipo

No shortage of black talent: Lenny Henry, currently appearing in Fences, and Sharon D Clarke and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in The Amen Corner. Pictures by Trevor Leighton and Richard H Smith. After a week’s celebration at the National Theatre of black artists in British theatre covering 50 years, what have we learnt? Joy Francis recounts her… Continue reading Staying in the light

Colman Domingo is an award winning, multi-talented actor, dancer, director and playwright. Domingo has played Billy Flynn in Chicago, starred in the Scottsboro Boys and in 2011 he was nominated for the Fred Astaire Award for Best Principal Dancer on Broadway. His film career has paired him with the greats such as Spike Lee who… Continue reading Interview with Colman Domingo