Celebrating the life and work of Barry Reckord
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Barry Reckord made a significant contribution to British Theatre, with work that captured the conflicts of class and race during 1960’s Britain. His award winning play Skyvers was first produced at The Royal Court in 1963. Other work includes the plays Flesh to a Tiger, You in Your Small Corner and the television dramas In the Beautiful Caribbean and Club Havana. Some 14 plays of his were produced in London, New York and Jamaica, where he was nationally recognised with a silver Musgrave medal.
On Sunday 23 September, Talawa Theatre Company and The London Hub will present Reckord Celebrations, a tribute to the late Caribbean/British writer Barry Reckord, which will be staged at London’s premiere new writing venue the Bush Theatre.
The evening, directed by Talawa Artistic Director Michael Buffong, will include staged readings of Reckord’s most memorable plays and a selection of his work for television. There will also be contributions from Talawa founder Yvonne Brewster, Guardian theatre critic Michael Billington, actor/director Don Warrington, theatre practitioner and ACE Senior Strategy Officer Hassan Mahamdallie, and literary editor/novelist Diana Athill, along with tributes from a host of respected arts and theatre practitioners.
Speaking about the event, Michael Buffong said:
I think that Barry’s contribution to the British theatrical landscape is undeniable but sadly underrepresented, with this memorial we have the opportunity to keep his legacy alive for future generations.
RECKORD CELEBRATIONS
Sunday 23 September 2012
Venue: Bush Theatre, W12 8LJ
Time: 7.30pm Price: £10
Box Office: 020 8743 5050 / or visit Bush Theatre website
The Barry Reckord Bursary
The London Hub is pleased to announce the creation of The Barry Reckord Bursary, a new playwriting bursary open to BAME writers resident in the UK. The bursary includes a financial award, mentoring programme and showcase for the winning playwright at Bush Theatre, London.
The bursary will be launched at Reckord Celebrations on Sunday 23 September 2012 at Bush Theatre. Reckord Celebrations is an event celebrating the pioneering life and work of playwright Barry Reckord who died last year. The income from the ticket sales will fund the first bursary.
