Writers’ new work gets an airing in Coventry

Published: 17 November 2012
Reporter: Steve Orme

The New Black Showcase 2011 Credit: Paul Blakemore

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre will be showcasing some of the region’s up-and-coming writing talent in The New Black Showcase—RAW.

The writers who will feature have all recently graduated from the Critical Mass programme, a scriptwriting course for black and minority ethnic communities run by the Belgrade.

It’s based on an initiative run in previous years in association with Birmingham black arts centre The Drum and the London’s Royal Court Theatre.

The New Black Showcase—RAW will include readings of work by Kemoh Tarawali, whose play focuses on the experience of a young black man “coming out” to his family; and Harbir Nagra who tackles the pertinent issue of unemployment—in this instance within a South Asian community.

Orla O’Connor’s story highlights the experiences of three Irish women following the death of their controlling mother and the discovery of a family secret; and Maeve Clarke has written a tale set in Jamaica and the UK about the unsettling habits of the mysterious Jackanooni.

Justine Themen, the Belgrade’s associate director community and education, said, “We’re delighted once again to be hosting a showcase of work that opens another window on the experiences of the extraordinarily diverse communities of Coventry and beyond.

“The evening will be a very varied one—with humour, poignancy and suspense following fast on each other’s heels, all in the space of just one hour.”

Tickets for The New Black Showcase—RAW, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, are free, although the theatre will ask for a donation at the end of the performance. Booking is advisable through the box office on 024 7655 3055 or at www.belgrade.co.uk.

All proceeds will help to support the Belgrade’s ongoing work within the local community.

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Are you sure?