9 March 2023 to 1 April 2023
“All that is needed are two persuasive, engaging performers to tell the story, and Kudzai Mangombe as Chantel and Tristan Waterson as Matthew work beautifully together…concise, authentic and thought-provoking” The Stage ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
–
If only he knew. If only he listened.
A tragic suicide. Two young Black lives are blown apart.
In the madness of grief, Matthew and Chantel find each other again.
As the clouds begin to clear they wonder what their shared future might hold.
I need to like myself; I need to have a proper life.
“A focussed, multi-layered glimpse into the lives of two young Black Britons that asks many vital questions.” Everything Theatre
ALL ROADS is the world premiere of a new play by Roy Williams (Death of England, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads), directed by Anastasia Osei Kuffour, (On the Ropes, Seeds, Typical, Cuttin’ It) which explores what it means to love, grieve and build your own future, being young Black and British today.
“… A spellbinding two-hander drama about two teens bonded by a trauma that both feel guilt about. It is piercingly well acted by the utterly natural Kudzai Mangombe & Tristan Waterson.” Mark Shenton
‘Williams’ script is wonderful…Both Kudzai Mangombe and Tristan Waterson are tremendous’ Theatre & Tonic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Team
Writer: Roy Williams OBE
Cast: Kudzai Mangombe & Tristan Waterson
Directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour
Designed by Zahra Mansouri
Lighting by Jonathan Chan
Sound by Khalil Madovi
Movement and Intimacy Direction by Yassmin V Foster
Dialect and accents by Esi Acquaah-Harrison
Produced by Attic in partnership with Tramshed in association with Theatre Peckham and Bernie Grant Arts Centre
7 January 2023 to 4 February 2023
Jamaican roots. Home turf. Don’t give up the fight.
Pulsating with the rhythmic energies of blues, reggae and boxing, On the Ropes is an uplifting musical drama telling the extraordinary story of Vernon Vanriel who arrived in Britain aged 6 with his family as part of the Windrush Generation, and rose to prominence as one of the most charismatic and influential Black British boxers of the 70s and 80s.
In 2005, having lived in North London for over 40 years, Vernon found himself trapped in Jamaica, and in a bare-knuckle fight for his right to citizenship with the British Home Office.
In an energetic fusion of live music, humour, poetry and the duck and weave of the boxing ring, On the Ropes is a celebration of Vernon – aka The Entertainer – and, ultimately, of how courage, dignity and a fighting spirit can triumph over prejudice and injustice.
“Stunning” Beverley Knight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It movingly mixes poetry, dance, drama, brilliant live Reggae and Blues music that demands the audience join in, and some wonderfully raw humour” Ham & High
“Knock out performances from a committed cast and lots of lightness and laughter despite a harrowing story” Tori Allen-Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Powerful. Intelligently directed by Anastaisa Osei-Kuffour” Islington Gazette
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Profoundly moving" North West End
"Truly exceptional, I was blown away!” Amelia Gentleman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A sweeping production" Plays to See
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 “This is such an important story, and such an important play, and I really do implore everyone who can to head to Park Theatre and see it" The Black Project
“Who needs Golden Globes, when you can see this new play?” Michelle Collins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Buoyed by three superb performances, Anastasia Osei-Kuffour’s high energy production dances as if to the beat of a Reggae tune” Reviews Hub
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A howl of defiance. The audience were enthralled throughout” Everything Theatre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A production worthy of a boxer known as 'The Entertainer'" London Living Large
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Captivating. The cast had us engrossed with passionate performances.” Lost in Theatreland
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Innovative, frustrating, emotional, and celebratory” Lou Reviews
Supported by Arts Council England, The Leche Trust, The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust, The Austin Hope Pilkington Trust, and The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.
Artwork: Studio Doug
(More info here)
February 2020-March 2020
UK National Tour
"What would you do to save your son? Everything? Anything? Lie?”
On Michael Thomas’ birthday, his cake sits in his mother’s living room, its candles burning undisturbed. Jackie wants to clear her conscience, whilst Evelyn’s got a big speech to deliver on the 15th anniversary of Michael’s fatal stabbing. Are some things better left unsaid?
Sensitively written by Mel Pennant and shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award, Seeds tells the story of two mothers united in sorrow, sharing the hardship of protecting their sons - one in life, and one in death.
Brought by the producers of the critically-acclaimed production of good dog by Olivier Award nominated Arinzé Kene and led by a female creative team, Seeds explores the human story behind a tragedy through the eyes of those left behind.
'Impressively unrelenting' Always Time For Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Provocatively and evocatively powerful' Fairy Powered ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(More info here.)
August 2019-September 2019
Soho Theatre and The Pleasance Courtyard Edinburgh.
'Where is home?
Thought I was home
I fought then came home
Thought I was home...'
What is the cost of a typical night out? An ex-serviceman who has spent his life fighting for his country finds new battles in a society fighting against him.
From the makers of 2018 hit Queens of Sheba came this powerful new play by Ryan Calais Cameron confronting the daily tensions experienced by Black men as they negotiate life, while constantly feeling like their own lives are on the line.
Typical uncovers the man and the humanity behind a tragic real-life story, challenging traditional conceptions of Black manhood and highlighting the crisis of identity consuming Britain today.
'Astounding Play' The Guardian ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Powerfully poetic and painful', Arts Desk ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Gripping' Evening Standard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Excellent' The Stage ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Mind-blowing' Afridiziak ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Incredibly powerful' View From The Cheap Seat ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(More info here.)
January 2018-February 2018
Royal Court Schools Tour, London and Birmingham.
"We’re opposites, even though we came from the same, she’s nuttin' like me, an that shames me."
Teenagers Muna and Iqra get the same bus to school but they've never really spoken. Muna wears Topshop and sits on the top deck gossiping about Nicki Minaj’s latest beef, while Iqra sits alone downstairs in her charity shop hand-me-downs. They were both born in Somalia but come from different worlds. But as they get closer, they realise that their families share a painful secret.
Tackling the urgent issue of FGM in Britain, Charlene James’ devastating play reveals the price some girls pay to become a woman.
Winner of the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright and the Alfred Fagon Award for Best New Play.
(More info here.)
May 2017-June 2017
Finborough Theatre
“What’s wrong with me? Something’s got to be awful wrong with me. Why am I never enough for people?”
Joanie loves her home – a small town on the Canadian prairies. But Joanie’s mum left her, her husband left her, and now her teenage daughter Carol-Ann wants to leave too…
If only she could “freeze a bit of time”, so nothing ever changed – like the footprints on the moon. As Joanie battles to keep Carol-Ann from leaving to go and live with her dad in Toronto, she is finally forced to confront why she keeps being abandoned by her loved ones, and the loves and losses that have shaped her life.
A finalist for Canada’s most prestigious literary award – the Governor General’s Award – and winner of the Labatt Award for Best Canadian Play, Footprints on the Moon premiered in Winnipeg in 1988 and has since been produced in New York City, and all over Canada including – amongst many others – Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Saskatoon. In 2017 it received its European premiere at the Finborough Theatre.
'Enthralling drama, hugely recommended' Act Drop ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(More info here)