• BLACK TERROR  28th January – 2nd February 2020, 7.30 PM @ Cage – The Vaults, Leake Street, £10

After a fatal stabbing, a promising young boxer is left for dead. As he lays unconscious he’s transported to 18th century London where he receives lessons in not only Bare Knuckle boxing but what it really means to have courage.

Black Terror takes you on a historical journey through Georgian England as boxing superstar Bill Richmond breathes life into a troubled young present day boxer.

This is a work in progress written by Award Nominated Actor/Writer Kalungi Ssebandeke (ASSATA TAUGHT ME).

Book here

• SOLD  28th January – 2nd February 2020, 7.20 PM @ Studio – The Vaults, Leake Street, £10

“To be free is very sweet”. When one woman tells of her extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery, she becomes a beacon for the British anti-slavery movement. Mary Prince was an auto-biographer and champion of freedom. Her book had an electrifying effect on the abolitionist movement helping to free many Africans in bondage.

Mary was born into enslavement on the British owned Island of Bermuda 1788. As with many enslaved people exact records of births and deaths can be difficult to come by and Mary’s birth year is an estimation. She was the daughter of a House slave Sue and a Sawyer nothing unusual there but through Mary’s narrative we are given rare insights into her life as an enslaved person. We learn of moments of love, conflict and some of the intricacies of chattel slavery that are seldom heard. When Mary’s narrative was 1st published in 1831 it was the harsh realities the brutality of enslavement the treatment and dehumanisation of enslaved people that shocked readers. Also it was the fact of a woman speaking of flogging, of work that wasn’t just back breaking but life taking. She shares with us her words and thoughts of how it felt to be enslaved, owned, bought and sold. Mary’s story gives us the voice of the ‘chattel’ those voices that are often silent, silenced, ignored or spoken for. Many who read her book could now picture enslaved people more fully as people with feelings, hopes and dreams. It also again highlighted Britain’s role in enslavement. Often today many of us think of slavery as an American experience, hearing stories of the deep south, and forget that Britain played a major role. Mary’s words help to remind us.

Told through theatre, song, drumming and dance, this masterpiece of Black British theatre is inspired by the storytelling traditions of the West African Griot/Jeli.

Book here

• BULLY  30th January, 19th & 27th February 2020, 8.15 PM @ Cage – The Vaults, Leake Street, £7.50

It started with a ‘H’…. Thanyia Moore was born to two working class Jamaican born parents. What happened from there, is what she’ll be discussing. From being bullied to being a bully, Thanyia explores what that means and how she’s overcome all of the obstacles that may or may not have got in the way.

Book here

• JOLLOF WARS  14th – 16th February 2020, 6.15 PM @ Network Theatre – Lower Road, £7.50

It’s a culture clash, told through the lens of a Nigerian chef and her Ghanaian fiancé. Historically, Africans have debated who makes the tasty dish best. The question is… what’s really at stake?

The play starts in familiar settings but things suddenly go left when we realise how deep the tension surrounding food goes. Its surreal yet accurate. Funny but tragic. Sad but true! Come and get your fill at Jollof Wars.

Book here

• SHE IS A PLACE CALLED HOME  3rd – 8th March 2020, 6.20 PM @ Cavern – The Vaults, Leake Street, £14

“Dad’s getting married again. A second wife. As in, in addition to his first. (We were shocked too).”

This is a gripping story about two sisters in the run up to their dad’s marriage, as they rehearse the traditional Nigerian dance he’s asked them to perform, all the while navigating the complexities that come with lies, love and bigamy.

It explores what happens when religion and culture collide, under the spotlight of a family in crisis, and the things people do to try and survive.

This thought-provoking play was developed as part of the VAULT Festival New Writers’ Programme 2019, led by Camilla Whitehill, and showcased during VAULT Festival 2019 in a sold-out show.

She Is A Place Called Home is partnering with Solace Women’s Aid, an innovative and grass roots charity that supports women and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence to build safe and strong lives. After each performance, we will be holding a collection of donations and toiletries on Solace’s behalf. Any contributions will be very appreciated.

Book here

• THE KOLA NUT DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH  10th – 22nd March 2020, 6.00 PM @ Crypt – The Vaults, Leake Street, £10

The Kola Nut Does Not Speak English explores the cultural history of a first generation Nigerian-British woman of Igbo descent.

A gripping new play from multi award winning company Nouveau Riche. Written by Tania Nwachukwu, we follow the people of Eze as they fight to preserve their beloved kola tree.

Using African theatre practices, call and response, dance, song, and poetry, this is a loud, unapologetic, passionate embrace of who we are and the importance of a Nigerian-British woman preserving her own history.

The Brand Nouveau Initiative, in partnership VAULT Festival, brings together a group of the best black and minority ethnic emerging artists ready to take the next step in their careers. The scheme provides opportunities to expand their networks, receive first class mentoring from our award winning team, and benefit from creative space, time and research opportunities. Following successful productions at New Diorama and Soho, this is your chance to experience the next generation of theatre practitioners collaborating together to create exciting, brand new work.

Book here