11 Josephine House by Alfred Fagon. A romantic comedy set in the St Pauls district of Bristol during the late sixties, it follows the complicated relationships of a religious Caribbean family. Director: Gloria Hamilton and Malcolm Frederick. Cast: Claire Benedict, Ronny Cush Lenny Algernon Edwards, Alma Newnham, Robert Phillips, A.J. Simon. Performed at Riverside Studios (13/05/1987 – 30/05/1987) and on National tour.
Waiting For Hannibal by Yemi Ajibade. The play is set in 204BC when the Romans are fending off Hannibal and are about to invade Africa. Sophinisba, daughter of Hasdrubal and niece of Hannibal, subjugates her personal happiness by marrying the elderly King of Namibia rather that her lover, the young rebel Massinisa. She loyally supports her father and husband's strategies until the Roman victory at the Battle of Cirta reunites her briefly with Massinisa. Rather than going back to her husband she then kills herself by poison and dies in Massinisa's arms. Director: Yemi Ajibade and Burt Caesar. Cast: Judith Jacob, Willie Payne, David Prescott, David Haynes, Pamela Nomvette, Sylvester Williams, Bob Phillips. Performed at The Drill Hall (03/06/1986 – 21/06/1986).
Ritual by Edgar Nkosi White. The play examines the multiplicity of ritual: rituals of survival, both physical and spiritual experienced by Black people in Britain, as Barzey, a Youth Worker in a Hackney Youth Centre, attempts to discover the implications of his personal journey. Director: Gordon Case. Cast: Ingram Hood, Ellen Thomas, Calvin Simpson, Joy Lemoine, Lawrence Lambert, Chris Tummings, Sylvester Williams, David Keys, Cecilia Marquis, David Haynes, Lenny Edwards. Performed at Edinburgh Festival, Assembly Rooms, 09/08/1985 – 31/08/1985, Donmar Warehouse, London, 14th – 26th Oct 1985 and on tour.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The play portrays Big Walter Lee Younger's family, which at his death is left to decide how to spend a $10,000 life insurance payment. The story unfolds with his son Walter Lee, a chauffeur who dreams of becoming rich, his daughter Beneatha who is a medical student, and his widow Lena who mediates between the family's needs and dreams. Director: Yvonne Brewster. Cast: Carmen Munroe, Gary McDonald, Peter Harding, Jacqueline de Peza, Freddie Brooks, Guy Gregory, Ella Wilder and Kwabena Manso. Performed at The Tricycle Theatre (11/04/1985 - 04/05/1985) and The Drill Hall Arts Centre (09/07/1985 - 20/07/1985).
Money To Live by Jacqueline Rudet. The play tells the story of the underpaid, yet independent, Charlene. Her vivacious friend Judy persuades Charlene to join her in the dubious career of stripper and go-go dancer. Very soon Charlene is making lots of money and has a newly earnt self respect. This in turn will give her the strength to become reconciled with her family. Director: Gordon Case. Cast: Judith Jacob, Viv Rochester, Bob Phillips, Chris Tummings, Susan Browne, and Cynthia Powell. Performed at The Royal Court Upstairs (16/10/1984 – 03/11/1984).
Redemption Song by Edgar Nkosi White. The play is set in Redemption, a village on a Caribbean island. It is a modern version of traditional Jamaican Jonkunnu masquerade, depicting a love triangle and murder. Director: Charlie Hanson. Cast: Trish Cook, Victor Romero Evans, Ram John Holder, Carmen Munroe, Stephen Persaud, Malcolm Frederick, Janet Kay, Chris Tajah. Performed at Riverside Studios, in London (05/06/1984 - 24/06/1984), on tour, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Assembly Rooms (13/08/1984 - 25/08/1984).
No Place To Be Nice by Frank McField. The story of Price, an unsuccessful business man who aspires to greater things. His life is a round of never-ending, ominous schemes witnessed patiently by his girlfriend Angela and his friend Jubal. Price teams up with eccentric Rastafarian actress Seline and transforms her into a prophet. Together they exploit the insecurities and unconsious desires of the Black community. Director: Alby James. Cast: Burt Ceasar, Malcolm Frederick, Judith Jacobs (10/05/1984 - 12/05/1984).
The Tooth Of Crime by Sam Shepard. A reggae-soul musical set in a futuristic world where Hoss, an amalgam of Pop superstar, racing driver and warrior, awaits the arrival of Crow, an upstart challenger. The two fight it out in the form of a musical duel in which each attempts to outdo the other in sheer Black style. Cast: Victor Romero Evans and Chris Tummings.
Nevis Mountain Dew by Steve Carter. The play is set in the Queens district of New York during the 1950s. Jared Philibert is celebrating his fiftieth birthday and the mood of the occasion intensifies as the passions and pressures of a close-knit family are exposed. Adding an explosive element to the occasion is a bottle of highly potent rum which becomes a catalyst for the characters’ disclosure of feelings and personal stories. Director: Rufus Collins. Cast: Nadia Cattouse, Guy Gregory, Mona Hammond, T-Bone Wilson, Mark Heath, Isabelle Lucas, Jason Rose. Performed at the Arts Theatre, London (04/10/1983 – 22/10/1983); St Matthew’s Meeting Place, Brixton (25/10/1983 - 29/10/1983), and The Factory, Paddington (03/11/1983 - 06/11/1983 & 10/11/1983 -12/11/1983).
The Nine Night by Edgar Nkosi White. The play draws inspiration from a Jamaican burial rite, called Nine Nights, which helps troubled souls to cross over into the spirit world. In this play the ritual refers to the cathartic experience of Hamon Williams, a retired immigrant from the Caribbean. Director: Rufus Collins. Cast: T-Bone Wilson, Dona Croll, Jason Rose, Paul Stewart, Janet Palmer, Sylvester Williams, Oona Kirsch. Performed at The Bush Theatre (12/04/1983 - 30/04/1983) and on London tour.
Welcome Home Kacko by Mustapha Matura. The play is a touching, serious and funny exposé of Rasta righteousness and absurdity with superbly animated argument. The play was first performed in 1979 and then revived in 1983 for Quaigh Theatre, New York.
Fingers Only by Yemi Ajibade. The tale of three pickpockets who live in Lagos during World War II. Director: Mustapha Matura. Cast: Christopher Asante, T-Bone Wilson, Chris Tummings, Shope Shodeinde, Ena Cabayo, Judith Jacob, Malcolm Frederick, Raymond Page. Performed at The Factory, London (12/10/1982 - 23/10/1982) and on tour.
