Talawa Theatre's only Northern dates for Play On! - a new jazz musical based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night - are at Liverpool Playhouse (October 15-19).
The UK's leading Black theatre company's show brings to life the 1940s New York jazz scene, set to a Duke Ellington score, and follows Vy, a talented songwriter, who wants to make it big on the Harlem music scene.
Director, Michael Buffong said: “We are incredibly proud to finally bring this artistically ambitious work to theatres across the UK. As a Black theatre company, now more than ever we are determined to spotlight and celebrate great Black British talent. We hope this show will bring Joy wherever it goes.”
A free pre-show talk on October 15, featuring Michael Buffong and Ameera Conrad - associate artistic director of 20 Stories High - will delve into the significance and relevance of adapting Shakespeare for today’s audiences.
*To support the development of new work by Black writers in Merseyside, Seed Commissions offers two writers of African or Caribbean heritage £1,250 each to develop a new play, showcase work, build networks with the creative community in Liverpool, and develop ideas with dramaturgical support toward to rehearsed reading at the Playhouse Studio. Applications close on October 4.