In the second of our two-part series on Egyptian women writers, Julie Tomlin discovers how activist Sahar Elmougy is faring in post-Mubarak’s Egypt, and the source of her persistent optimism. What will emerge from Egypt’s literary scene now that the stifling 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak’s has ended?
The Riots
Dona Croll, Tim Woodward and Cyril Nri in The Riots. Image by Tristam Kenton The highly praised production of The Riots is moving from The Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn to the Bernie Grants Arts Centre, Tottenham, for 10 days only (from 4–14 January 2012). Directed by Nicolas Kent, and written by Gillian Slovo from spoken… Continue reading The Riots
Silver Shores
Set aboard a slave ship in the late 18th century, this poetic new play is written and directed by Royal Court Critical Mass alumnus Tian Glasgow. Developed at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Autumn 2011, Silver Shores features an ensemble cast alongside live drumming and a compelling set designed by Rhiannon Clarke. Date: 4–21 January… Continue reading Silver Shores
Haunted Child
Sophie Okonedo as Julie and Ben Daniels as Douglas. Image by Johan Persson Play: Haunted Child Theatre: Royal Court Downstairs Playwright: Joe Penhall Review by Joy Francis Haunted Child, Joe Penhall’s first play in four years, looks tantalising on paper. The award-winning writer of Blue/Orange and Moses Jones knows his way around provocative topics. In this case a… Continue reading Haunted Child
Interview with Jean Abreu
Brazilian-born choreographer Jean Abreu is making his mark on the dance world. Combining muscular, fluid and gritty performances with electronic rock music, carried on a powerful message of male sexuality and emotional expression, his work is hard to ignore. He talks legacy, outsider status and dialogue with Joy Francis.
Lyrical Healer
Book: An Inner City Guide to Surviving the Credit Crunch Author: Winsome Duncan Price: £6.99 Available: From Amazon and on Kindle Review by Mesha McNeil Award-winning performance poet, writer and radio host Winsome Duncan, aka Lyrical Healer, has published her second book – An Inner City Guide to Surviving the Credit Crunch.
Interview with Courttia Newland
Courttia Newland is an acclaimed author, scriptwriter, editor and playwright who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Born and bred in west London, his first novel, The Scholar, was published in 1997 and was an instant success. Newland was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award 2007, the Alfred Fagon Award 2010 and… Continue reading Interview with Courttia Newland
Interview with Indhu Rubasingham
This interview with Indhu Rubasingham, the new artistic director at the Tricycle Theatre, first appeared on Words of Colour online in September/October 2010 Acclaimed theatre director Indhu Rubasingham is full of surprises. After a childhood aspiration for a pop career and the possibility of studying law, Indhu opted to study drama at university. An Arts… Continue reading Interview with Indhu Rubasingham
West of no East
Author: Bobby Nayyar Publisher: Glasshouse Books Price: £7.99 Review by Andrea Enisuoh Protest is alive and kicking. With striking images of sprawling tent cities outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London, railing against big business, and students marching over tuition fees, Bobby Nayyar’s debut novel West of no East is timely. This compact but enlightening novel not… Continue reading West of no East
Writing from the danger zone
In the first of a two-part series on Egyptian women writers, Julie Tomlin speaks to writer, feminist and activist Nawal El Saadawi who received the Women of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award in London on 17 October 2011. The Egyptian writer, feminist and activist Nawal El Saadawi has said that danger has been part of… Continue reading Writing from the danger zone