Losing my religion: Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Margaret Alexander) and Eric Kofi Abrefa (David). Picture by Richard H Smith. Play: The Amen Corner Theatre: The National Theatre (Olivier Theatre) Playwright: James Baldwin Review by Joy Francis Based on James Baldwin’s first play, written in 1955, The Amen Corner is a microcosm of black life in a vibrant… Continue reading The Amen Corner

The lying game: Charles Daish (Charles Strickland), Nina Toussaint-White (Susan), and Clarke Peters (Henry Brown). Picture by Alastair Muir Play: RACE Theatre: Hampstead Theatre Playwright: David Mamet Review by Joy Francis There is always a buzz when a David Mamet play hits town. RACE, the revered American wordsmith’s latest production, is no exception. Despite having… Continue reading RACE

Words of Colour Production’s featured poet Nick Makoha brings his acclaimed one man show My Father & Other Superheroes to two venues as part of a literature showcase at the Southbank Centre and a Father’s Day special at the Unicorn Theatre. First performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East and directed by Benji Reid, Superheroes is… Continue reading My Father & Other Superheroes

Irenosen Okojie is a writer immersed in culture. A freelance arts project manager, she was the national development coordinator at Apples & Snakes and has programmed at the RSC and the Southbank Centre. As a writer, Okojie was selected for the Flight mentorship scheme for young writers run by Spread the Word and her work… Continue reading Interview with Irenosen Okojie

The eight titles selected for Fiction Uncovered 2013 have just been announced. Dubbed the “Mercury Prize for books,” the award celebrates what it describes as the best British fiction writers. Now in its third year, Fiction Uncovered celebrates and promotes eight living British writers of any age who have already published at least one novel… Continue reading Fiction Uncovered 2013 winners

Utopia Theatre tackles this lesser known play by Romanian playwright and leading figure in the Theatre of the Absurd Eugene Ionesco. This fast paced physical production features the playwright, who is the shepherd, in a world of theatre (a chameleon). Founded by award-winning artistic director Moji Kareem, Utopia Theatre fuses sound, music, image, dance, video,… Continue reading The Shepherd’s Chameleon

Play: The Burial Theatre: The Albany Playwright: Bola Agbaje Review by Natalie Gormally The Burial, sees Laurence Olivier Award winning playwright Bola Agbaje deliver a satirical take on the serious and complex nature of British-Nigerian cultural traditions, faith, religion tensions and family breakdown, with mixed results.

This prize for short fiction is a form that Spread the Word believes is ripe for development. Writers, who must be based in London, have up to 8000 words to write on the theme of ‘Ritual’. Judges include Bidisha, a writer, critic and BBC TV and radio broadcaster, Tania Hershman, author of two story collections:… Continue reading Spread the Word Writing Prize 2013

British Jazz legend Courtney Pine showcases his 15th studio album, House of Legends, which features his soprano sax exclusively for the first time. Deeply steeped in the traditions of the Caribbean, the music brings together performers from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe for vibrant exchanges that tells tales of life from a truly multicultural viewpoint.… Continue reading Courtney Pine

New Albany Associate Artist ESKA genre busting style and vocal virtuosity has attracted the attention of a host of acclaimed artists. Her vocal arrangements have credits on three Mercury-nominated albums. This will be ESKA’s first London headline show performing music from her new EP Gatekeeper as well as tracks from her debut album English Skies.… Continue reading ESKA