Michael Buffong announces inaugural season with Talawa

His tenure begins with a new studio season titled Talawa Firsts. Curated by Buffong and running from 11 to 29 June at Talawa’s home near Old Street, its aim is to develop and showcase the best Black British writing and emerging creatives.

Productions featured include Dad (Die) by Charlene James, Stronger by Alexander Williams, Rise by Cynthia Bernard, Corae by Stef O’Driscoll, Keepsake by Fraser Ayres and Echoes by N Richard Nash.

From 30
July
to 25
August
Talawa
Young
People’s
Theatre returns, an
annual
summer
school
for
budding
young
theatremakers
(performers,
writers,
designers,
stage
managers)
to
develop
skills
and
create
a
brand
new
piece
of
theatre
for
performance
in
a
professional
London
venue.
Past
TYPT
shows
have
been
presented
at
Sadler’s
Wells,
the
National
Maritime
Museum,
Drill
Hall
and
the
Grahamstown
Festival
in
South
Africa.

And, looking further ahead, in February 2013 Talawa will collaborate with Soho Theatre on a new play titled God’s Property, written by Arinze Kene (Estate Walls) and directed by Buffong. Set in
1982 when
Britain
is
gripped
by
economic
downturn,
riots
and
high
unemployment, it centres on a mixed race family living in Deptford.

Launching the season,
Michael
Buffong
said:
“My
vision
is
for
Talawa
Theatre
Company
to
become
synonymous
with
Black
work
of
outstanding
excellence.
As
well
as
producing
work
with
high
profile
established
practitioners
and
delivering
productions
that
have
a
major
impact
on
the
British
theatrical
landscape,
Talawa
also
seeks
to
develop
the
talents
of
new
Black
actors,
writers
and
directors
and
become
the
go-­to company
for
audiences,
practitioners
and industry
insiders
alike.”

– Julianna Fazio