Tamasha Scratch Night: The Playwrights 2019

Tamasha is back with an evening of scratch performances featuring dynamic new writing from writers from their 2018-19 Tamasha Playwrights group.

A writer-led collective founded in 2014, Tamasha Playwrights is formed of emerging playwrights from a culturally diverse range of backgrounds. After a year of support and training led by Tamasha’s Artistic Director, Fin Kennedy, the playwrights have developed new scripts that’ll be performed script-in-hand by professional actors.

Grab your chance to see bold new work in development on stage for the first time, followed by a Q&A with the writers and Fin Kennedy.

The Conversation by Shazia Ali
What happens when someone you know very well says something racist and inflammatory at dinner in a nice restaurant.
Do you a) ignore it b) name it c) walk out?
And what happens if that person is your husband?

Writer: Shazia Ali
Director: Zhui Ning Chang
Cast
Yasmin: Annice Boparai
Tom: Chris Clynes
Waiter: Deshaye Gayle

Mixed Feelings – Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim
An intimate look at the inner workings of a mixed-race family. When it comes to difference, is love enough to bring us to a mutual understanding?

Writer: Ajjaz Awad-Ibrahim
Director: Brigitte Adela
Cast
Eqwa: Chereen Buckley
Helen: Tracey Briggs
Obuto: Deshaye Gayle
Babawale: Glen Wilson

Y tho? by Nyla Levy
Meghan Khan is lost in London on 1%, has jizz in her hair and the bitter taste of regret in her mouth. But this Walk of Shame is about to get a whole lot worse when Meghan bumps into her ex…

Writer: Nyla Levy
Director: Brigitte Adela
Cast
Meg: Annice Boparai
Zeba/Aunty/Cousin: Chereen Buckley
Rob: Deshaye Gayle

Canals by Lynsey Martenstyn
Set in a near-future, dystopian post Brexit Britain. A media furore causes newsreader Abi to seek sanctuary on her sister, Issy’s, narrowboat. But is anywhere truly safe?

Writer: Lynsey Martenstyn
Director: Zhui Ning Chang
Cast
Issy: Chereen Buckley
Abi: Annice Boparai

Coasters by CJ (Carguil) Webley
A working-class Black-British husband and father tries to make a name for himself in modern Britain, while coming to terms with his challenging circumstances.

Writer: Cj (Carguil) Webley
Director: Brigitte Adela
Cast
Lesedi/Cynthia: Chereen Buckley
Raymond: Glen Wilson
Ellis: Deshaye Gayle

Directors:

Brigitte Adela – Mixed Feelings, Y Tho? and Coasters

Brigitte Adela is a freelance theatre director, maker and facilitator. Her previous work includes: The Rain in Spain (Southwark Playhouse), The Talk (Richmix), Human Nature (The Vaults), Collegiate (Attenborough Arts Centre/Bread and Roses/Arcola), The Good Person of Szechwan (Barons Court Theatre), St George’s Day (Park Theatre) and What Would Quentin Do (Bush Theatre). She has written and designed audio projects, such as Just Breathe (Swiss Cottage Library) and worked as sound assistant on Decolonising History (Tamasha Theatre Company).

Zhui Ning Chang – The Conversation and Canals

Zhui Ning Chang (she/they) is a Malaysian theatre director, producer and maker based in London. She works in new writing and new musical theatre, with an interest in stories exploring social issues and speaking across boundaries in inclusive and innovative ways. Her directing credits include Tango (TYPHOON, Yellow Earth Theatre), Bin Juice (Flux Theatre), Inside Voices (VAULT 2019, Origins Award for Outstanding New Work). Zhui Ning is also an Associate Artist at Flux Theatre and serves as Producer-Connections at Global Voices Theatre. Currently she is pursuing her MA Text and Performance at Birkbeck College and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.