Superwoman?: Noma Dumezweni (Linda). Photo credit Johan Persson Theatre: Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Play: Linda Playwright: Penelope Skinner Director: Michael Longhurst Review by Ronke Lawal Can women have it all – the career, the family, the relationship, the money and professional success? This now almost clichéd question on gender equality is a strong theme… Continue reading Linda

Classy panto shenanigans: Ashley Campbell (King Richard) and Michael Bertenshaw (Prince John). Photo credit Robert Day Theatre: Theatre Royal Stratford East Play: Robin Hood Writers: Trish Cooke and Robert Hyman Director: Kerry Michael Review by Patsy Antoine It’s panto season (oh, no it isn’t, oh yes it is…) and the team which created the Olivier… Continue reading Robin Hood

Applications for a writer-in-residence, to accompany an exhibition of John Akomfrah’s film installation Vertigo Sea from 16 January to 10 April 2016 is open. Vertigo Sea, a three-screen film, first seen as part of Okwui Enwezor’s All the World’s Futures exhibition, is a sensual, poetic and cohesive meditation on man’s relationship with the sea and… Continue reading Arnolfini’s writer-in-residence

The Sheffield Doc/Fest Youth Jury, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016, is now open to anyone aged 18-22 living in the UK who is passionate about documentary film and wants to be part of next year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest, which takes place from 10-15 June. Since its introduction in 2006 this free, nurturing scheme has… Continue reading Applications wanted for Sheffield Doc/Fest Youth Jury

Black Panthers from Sacramento, Free Huey Rally, Bobby Hutton Memorial Park in Oakland, CA, 1969. Photo courtesy of Pirkle Jones and Ruth-Marion Baruch Film: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Director: Stanley Nelson Genre: Documentary Producers: Independent Lens and Firelight Films Distributed by: Dogwoof Films Review by Patsy Antoine Award-winning director Stanley Nelson is… Continue reading The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

Dying with dignity: Patrick Godfrey (Old Man), Hazel Holder (carer). Photo credit Keith Pattison Theatre: Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre Play: Here We Go Playwright: Caryl Churchill Director: Dominic Cooke Review by Esha Chaman Caryl Churchill’s latest work contemplates death in the most tedious manner. Unfortunately even the odd spark of cracking humour can’t save this… Continue reading Here We Go

Book: The Reluctant Dead Author: Nuzo Onoh Publisher: Canaan-Star Publishing Price: £9.99 Review by Ronke Lawal The Reluctant Dead is a unique collection of six spine-chilling ghost horror stories set in Nigeria. Each story is more terrifying than the next with a lesson about the intricacies of human nature in each one.

Book: Americus Author: Michael Datcher Publisher: Safkhet Publishing Price: £9.99 Review by Barbara Grant Spanning the ‘long depression’ in post slavery America, between 1873 and 1927, Americus is the name of a black family of male funeral directors based in East Street Illinois.

Book: Vinnie Got Blown Away Author: Jeremy Cameron Publisher: Hope Road Publishing Price: £7.99 Review by Catrina Walters Set in Walthamstow, north east London, Vinnie Got Blown Away is a brilliant and humorous crime murder mystery about Nicky Burkett, a nineties cheeky chappy and wide-boy who has been in and out of prison for theft… Continue reading Vinnie Got Blown Away

Fighting for love: Centre Joe Bannister (Orlando) and Leon Annor (Charles). Photo credit Johan Persson Theatre: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre Play: As You Like It Playwright: William Shakespeare Director: Polly Findlay Review by Esha Chaman William Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy is transported to the digital age in Polly Findlay’s contemporary adaptation, where banishment, sibling rivalry, love… Continue reading As You Like It