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2019: Black Theatre Awards

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:04:00 GMT

Celebration of black stage performers in Britain.

Richard II at the Globe: Black Women Remaking History

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:27:00 GMT

For the first time in a major British theatre, Shakespeare presented - and history reinterpreted - by a company of Black women: Richard II

The Moors at Tara Arts

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 16:22:00 GMT

THE MOORS by Tonderai Munyevu ....

Two spirited men arrive in London looking for Shakespeare. They say they are from Balaika, Africa. They have passed through fire to be here and are determined for the great man to hear their stories.

Alas, Shakespeare is dead! However, his theatre still stands. Soon they find themselves swept up and placed on stage in front of an expectant audience. Fame, fortune, and two smitten actresses await. But, can they survive the hostile environment?

In triumphantly energetic style, two actors play men, women and immigration police to portray this funny yet moving story of love, friendship, and ambition. A vibrant and utterly engaging theatre experience not to be missed.

Written by Tonderai Munyevu, Directed and Produced by Arne Pohlmeier.

This new production is supported by Watermill Theatre, Newbury, and by Arts Council England.

Behind the scenes of The Strangers' Case

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:23:00 GMT

Behind the scenes filming The Strangers' Case, BBAShakespeare's Refugee Week video. Directed by Peter Trifunovic.

Hear Ibrahim Knight sharing his thoughts about playing Sir Thoms More and speaking Shakespeare's great indictment of prejudice.

Then spread the words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Yf06B_qDc

Black Cultural Archives to Warwick Arts Centre

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:54:25 GMT

Black Cultural Archives to Warwick Arts Centre

BBAS film for Refugee Week 2018: The Strangers' Case by Shakespeare

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 12:13:00 GMT

June 20 2018 - The Strangers' Case released!

Speeches by William Shakespeare, from the suppressed play Sir Thomas More, provide the word for a powerful short film directed by Peter Trifunovic, and featuring Ibrahim Knight as Sir Thomas More. It's co-produced with Tony Howard and presented by BBAShakespeare and the University of Warwick.

Filmed in Leeds, Peter Trifunovic's film places Shakespeare's scene of anti-immigrant rioting in a contemporary bar. It shows that xenophobia has not changed in four centuries, but also that the power of language and of empathy is undimished.

The Strangers Case video on YouTube

Ira Aldridge - the celebration at the Globe

Sun, 19 Nov 2017 21:57:50 GMT

On September 19th the performance Against Prejudice was given a staged reading in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe. With Ray Fearon, Rakie Ayola and Justin Avoth, and with Una May and the Coventry Belgrade Black Youth Theatre. Jason Morell directed.

After the interval, in which the BYT choir took over the Globe foyer, Ira Aldridge's life and his continuing influence were celbrated in a discussion between: David Olusoga, Justine Themen, Martin Hoyles, Tony Howard, and the actors Joseph Marcell, Joseph Mydell - and the centenarian Earl Cameron CBE, who was trained by Aldridge's daughter Amanda,

In November Tony Howard and Joseph Mydell were invited to talk about Ira Aldridge's career and the 2017 UK events in Lodz, Poland, where ira Aldridge died in 1867.

BLUE PLAQUE FOR IRA ALDRIDGE!

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 08:21:30 GMT

Thursday August 3rd. Earl Cameron and Coventry's Lord Mayor unveil plaque commemorating Ira Aldridge's season as MANAGER of the Coventry Theatre - in 1828.

The AHRC on BBA Shakespeare

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:08:41 GMT

The Multiculutral Shakespeare Project and the British Black and Asian Shakespeare Performance database were funded by the AHRC from 2012 to 2015. Here the AHRC talks about the project:http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/research/readwatchlisten/features/black-and-asian-shakespeare/

BBAS and History: Ira Aldridge and company

Sun, 24 Apr 2016 22:44:11 GMT

BBAS and History: Ira Aldridge

The Multicultural Shakespeare project has made a major contribution to Shakespeare in Ten Acts - the British Library's "dazzling" exhibition in honour of Shakespeare's life and influence on the world. One room is dedicated to Ira Aldridge, Paul Robeson and their present-day successors:

"Room 6 [...] documents the London performances of the African American actor Ira Aldridge as Othello in 1825, but goes far beyond that historical moment to consider colour-blind casting, to interview the actor Huigh Quarshie on racism in the play, and even to posit a professional rivalry between Laurence Olivier and Paul Robeson.' (Times Literary Supplement)

For an outline of Aldridge's career, read Tony Howard's investigation into the actor's reception in London - and in Coventry, where he became manager of the Coventry Theatre for a season in 1828, when slavery in the British colonies was still legal - see BBC History extra online:

http://www.historyextra.com/article/culture/ira-aldridge-shakespeare%E2%80%99s-black-othello