Free drop-in family theatre show created and performed by Alicia McKenzie, in which she journeys across time to uncover surprising stories from Britain's past about identity and race.
Alicia's Amazing Adventure to Find the First Black Britons comes to St Mark's Church in Shelton on Tuesday 3 November, from 16:00 to 17:00. It's a time-travelling family show about identity, belonging and race, and it's a drop-in event, so you can just turn up without booking.
The show opens with a question a lot of us have asked as kids: 'Why do people have different coloured skin?' From there, Alicia journeys across time to meet historic heroes and hidden heroines, uncovering surprising stories from Britain's past. It blends bold visuals, playful storytelling and audience participation into a heart-filled adventure, opening up conversations about race in an open, honest and wonder-filled way. It's recommended for children aged 7 and up, and their grown-ups.
Actor and theatre-maker Alicia McKenzie wrote the piece from a childhood memory of an unsatisfactory conversation with her teacher about skin colour, and from her experience performing Black History Month pieces in schools, where she felt the stories weren't being told by a Black person. She's also worked with The National Theatre, The RSC and Northern Broadsides. The show is on its second UK tour this year, with stops in Stockport, Oldham, Chester, Blackburn and South Kirkby.
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McKenzie created and performed the piece herself, with direction by Cheryl Martin, dramaturgy by Dermot Daly, music by Nathan McKenzie and Paul Kagondo, and set and costumes by Bolu Dairo. It runs from 16:00 to 17:00 at St Mark's Church, Shelton, ST1 4LT, and it's free to attend.
