Black Men Walking
We all need a break from the stresses of everyday life and the constant reliance on 24/7 screen technology. Perhaps a pint down the pub, 30 minutes on the treadmill or a soak in the hot tub. For Thomas, Matthew and Richard their relief comes from walking – walking on the first Saturday of every month, come rain or shine…or fog.
Inspired by a real-life black men’s walking group based in Sheffield, Black Men Walking takes us on a hike through the Yorkshire hills, across the Yorkshire moors. What starts as casual conversation soon develops into deeper dialogue, questioning black history and the acceptance (or not) of black people today. If you’re black are you accepted as part of British society or is it still a case of them and us? The questions may be asked by a cast that is 100% black, but perhaps the answer is in an audience that was 98% white.
Through word and sound, Tyrone Huggins (Thomas), Trevor Laird (Matthew) and Tonderai Munyevu (Richard) deliver an emotive, haunting and tense piece of theatre. As the only female, Dorcas Sebuyange steadily moves from the periphery to become entwined in their journey, and her place within the dominant male environment becomes essential.
Black Men Walking, a co-production between the Royal Exchange Theatre and Eclipse Theatre Company in collaboration with Leeds-based rapper, singer, producer and performer Testament, premieres in the Exchange Studio prior to a national tour – the first national tour born from Revolution Mix, spearheading the largest ever national deliver of Black British stories.
By Garry Thomas- Lowde for Canal St Online
Royal Exchange Theatre: Jan 18th- Feb 3rd 2018
Published: 26-Jan-2018 (4722)
Follow Canal St