Talawa Theatre Company presents Soapbox
Talawa Theatre Company will present Soapbox at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s Embassy Theatre from 20 – 22 August, marking the 20th year of its flagship programme TYPT.
TYPT is Talawa’s flagship programme for emerging artists aged 18-25. Every summer a team of emerging artists aged 18-25 works with established artists to create a brand new show in just 4 weeks. Described as a “theatre laboratory”, TYPT’s emphasis is on collaboration and enabling close contact between emerging and established theatre makers to create an original piece of theatre.
This year’s show, Soapbox, will be directed by Christopher Simpson alongside a professional multi-disciplinary team including Movement Director Coral Messam and Gail Babb, Talawa’s Producer for Participation and Learning.
Christopher Simpson has appeared in in ‘Brick Lane’ (Film4), Zadie Smith’s ‘White Teeth’ (Channel4), Pericles (RSC), The Ramayana (National Theatre) and Forests (Birmingham Rep).
Coral Messam’s most recent theatre credits include Everyman (National Theatre), Lightning Child (Shakespeare Globe) and Feast (Young Vic). On TV and in Film Coral has performed in ‘London Road’ as well as choreographing and performing in ‘Game of Thrones’.
Over four weeks of intensive rehearsals the TYPT participants and established practitioners will work together to develop their practice, test ideas with each other and devise new ways of working. The four weeks will culminate in public performances by the TYPT Company.
“We all deserve to be heard, but what platforms can we speak from, and who will choose to hear? TYPT has always been a platform for emerging artists to grow and develop in a safe and supportive environment. It’s our privilege to provide space and access to expertise for young artists to express themselves. The results astonish me every time, and with Soapbox more than ever.”
Michael Buffong, Artistic Director, Talawa
Set up in 1995, TYPT provides a truly unique stepping-stone for emerging theatre makers, including actors, stage managers and designers at the beginning of their careers. Participants’ relationship and development with Talawa does not end with the initial intensive 4-week programme, as the Company continues to offer FREE support to participants as their careers develop
Past TYPT participants have gone on to successful careers in theatre; working as performers, producers and writers for a range of organisations, including The Bush Theatre, Oval House, Theatre Centre and StoneCrabs Theatre Company. Alumni include: Femi Oguns MBE (Director of The Identity Drama School), Nonso Anozie (Disney’s ‘Cinderella’, NBC’s ‘Dracula’, HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ and Death of a King’s Horseman at the National Theatre); Sandra Thompson-Quartey (Artistic Director of Writers Avenue Theatre Company), Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum Dreams at the National Theatre) and Shanika Warren-Markland (films ‘Gone too Far’, ‘Adulthood’, ‘4321’ and ‘Victim’).
“I joined TYPT at 17. I always knew I wanted to become an actor but I was uncertain how I was to go about it … The TYPT experience was incredible – uplifting, inspiring and supportive. It was the gateway that led to the career I now enjoy, working with film, television and theatre makers all over the world.” Nonso Anozie, past TYPT participant and TYPT Patron
Director Christopher Simpson; Movement Director Coral Messam; Design by Mila Sanders; Lighting Designer Pablo Fernández Baz; Musician Fran Lobo.
20 – 22 August
Devised by TYPT: 15
Directed by Christopher Simpson
For more information on Talawa, please visit: http://www.talawa.com
Or follow Talawa on Facebook: Talawa presents or Twitter: @talawatheatreco #TYPT
LISTINGS INFORMATION
TYPT: 15
Venue: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Embassy Theatre, 62-64 Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY
Dates: 20 – 22 August
Times: 7.30pm
Price: £8* (£5* concession)
Box Office
*plus booking fee (minimum booking fee £0.50)
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Talawa Theatre Company is the UK’s primary black-led theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Michael Buffong Talawa Theatre Company creates work informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience, invests in talent, builds audiences and inspires dialogue with and within communities across Britain, enriching the cultural life of the UK.
