A day of performances, music and theatre from some of the brashest contemporary Black British artists held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Rooms, and following the NITRO BEAT festival 2000, at the Union Chapel. 24/11/ 2001.
Passports to the Promised Land by Felix Cross. Eighteen-year-old Jordan leaves the Caribbean for England to search for his father. But rather than reaching England his journey leads him unexpectedly to the gates of Heaven, from where he watches his family build a new life without him. The story takes us from the 1950s to today's streets of Notting Hill. Calypso, reggae, gospel, and hip hop are combined to produce a musical on an epic scale. Director: Graham Devlin. Cast: C. Gerod Harris, Charlie Folorunsho, Michael Samuels, Enyonam Gbesemete, Lesley-Ann Wells, Gary Bryden, Melanie Hudson, Mark McLean, andAllyson Brown. Band: Orphy Robinson, Oroh Angiama, Benet McLean, David Okumu and Kenrick Rowe. Performed at Greenwich Theatre (23/02/2001 – 10/03/2001).
Up Against the Wall by Felix Cross and Paulette Randall. Henry always dreamt of being a soul star and taking the world by storm, but the reality is that he has a responsible job and lives in Surrey. Inspired by his youth and the music of the 1970s Henry decides to write a big Black musical - a Blaxploitation extravaganza, "But things are never as easy as they seem, and before long, Henry is well and truly up Against the Wall". Director: Paulette Randall. Cast: Mark McLean, Clinton Blake, Noel McKoy, Clement Ishmael/Adrian Reid, Suzanne Packer, Lorna Brown. Band: Clement Ishmael/Adrian Reid; Edison Herbert/Chris Lamptey; Jonathan Thomas/Oroh Angiama; Tonna Punn. Performed at The Tricycle Theatre (24/03/1999 – 17/04/1999) and on tour.
Trickster’s Payback by Martin Glynn with music and lyrics by Felix Cross. The play is set in the year 2099. Anan and Rabbie are father and son involved in urban guerillas. This is a world where people have to be smart and trust no one. Villians, tricksters and scoundrels fight it out in this futuristic rap and hip hop musical. Director: Josette Bushell-Mingo. Cast: Thomas Goodridge, Derek Elroy, Haydn Forde, Ellen O’Grady, Debra Michaels. Performed at Warehouse .Theatre (2nd –25th Oct 1998) and on Tour.
Iced by Ray Shell. The play tells the story of Cornelius Washington Jnr, a 40-year-old product of a middle class, stable American family and a crack addict. Iced is the story of Cornelius's grim present and the excitements and upheavals of his past. An uplifting tale of enlightenment and human love. Director: Felix Cross. Cast: Tyrone Huggins, Michelle Joseph, Gordon Case, Cecilia Noble, Donna King, Clinton Blake. Performed at The Tricycle Theatre. (19th Jan – 14th Feb 1998) and on Tour.
Zumbi - Flame of Resistance. Director Marcio Meirelles. The play spotlights the Afro-Brazilian culture by reconstructing the true story of Zambi, an African slave living in Brazil, who was killed by the Portuguese in 1695 for defending his village. Part of the play takes place in modern times, exploring the unchanged conditions of life for many Black people. The story of Zambi's struggles are retold so that the structure of the play intertwines with the original tale of rebellion. Cast: Freddie Annobil-Dodoo, Ilario Bisi-Pedro, Lorna Brown, Wayne Buchannan, David Carr, Corinne Skinner Carter, Sharon D. Clarke, Antonia Coker, Lenny Edwards, Louisa Eyo, Glenna Forster-Jones, Yomi A. Michaels, Neil Reidman, Chris Tummings, Angela Wynter. Performed at Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London (29/06/1995 –22/07/1995) and on national tour.
Dancing On Blackwater by Bonnie Greer. Directed by Joan-Ann Maynard. This is a story of the lives and relationships of Black women in relation to the sometimes uneasy ties that bind mothers and daughters. The play revolves around two sisters, Lisette and Carolyn, recalling their childhood whislt staying in a remote cottage. Carolyn has put the past behind her, whilst Lisette cannot let go of the memories of their mother. When two peculiar and eccentric women arrive unexpectedly their presence is much more than a bizarre coincidence. Cast: Jacqui Gordon-Lawrence, Sandra James- Young, Pauline Miller, Jacqueline de Peza. UK tour. (28/09/1994 – 03/12/1994).
Just For Kicks by Alan Cooke. The play was commissioned by Black Theatre Co-operative in collaboration with Newham Drugs Prevention Team, and explores issues surrounding the use of drug crack. Tour 18/04/1994 – 13/05/1994.
Bitter ‘n’ Twisted by Michael Ellis. Jamaicans Courtney and Bibby marry in 1966, but one year later they both die in a jealous crime of passion. To save their souls from limbo they return to earth to assist God in helping with the modern relationship between Natasha and Daniel. They have to produce a blueprint for 10 new commandments of Black Love whilst maintaining both sets of relationships. This challenge is further complicated when Natasha, a career woman, decides that she wants a baby. Director: Joan-Ann Maynard. Cast: Wayne Buchannan, Llewella Gideon, Anthony Ofoegbu, Angela Wynter, and Glenna Forster-Jones. Performed at Cockpit Theatre, London (08/02/1994 –26/02/1994).
