Talawa tours Arthur Miller's All My Sons in 2015
© Jonathan Keenan
Talawa is to tour its production of All My Sons from February 2015, marking 100 years since Miller's birth, following a successful run at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre last year.
Talawa is the UK's primary Black-led theatre company and co-produced the show with the Exchange.
All My Sons will open at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on 12 February 2015 before touring venues in Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham and Richmond among others.
All My Sons will star Ray Shell, who takes over Don Warrington's original role of Joe Keller and Doña Croll , who reprises her role as Kate Keller.
Joe is successful, a self-made businessman, loving family man and pillar of the community. He is a partner in a machine shop building fighterplane parts. Joe and Kate’s happiness is clouded by one thing – their son is missing in action, presumed dead by all but his mother.
Michael Buffong directs, with design by Ellen Cairns, lighting by Johanna Town and sound by Emma Laxton.
Talawa have also announced the launch of their new writers' programme: a year-long development programme for three Black British writers at different stages in their career to write a new play and build networks across the entertainment industry.
The writers selected are Inua Ellams, Theresa Ikoko and Somalia Seaton. The project will work with the Bush and Soho Theatres and BBC Writersroom and each writer will be on attachment to Talawa and the partner organisations for a 12 month period.
The company will also release a short film Sweet Taboo, which will launch alongside a resource pack for schools. The film is directed by Campbell X of Blackman Vision and set at a speed dating event. Sweet Taboo is a fast and playful film aimed at young people that tackles gender and sexuality; confronting prejudice and preconceptions head on with humour.
