Cast:

Naomi Syan Blake

Tel, Sarge Michael Brogan

Monique, Helen Heather Craney

Rod Campbell Joseph Morgan

Juliet, Lauren Pippa Nixon

Marcus Pryce Alexis Rodney

Joe Boateng Abdul Salis

Buddy, Carlton, Jude Boateng Mo Sesay

Radio Guest voices: Dotun Adebayo, Mark Monero, Henry Bonsu, Dona Croll, Jay Simpson, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Wale Ojo, Angie Le Mar, Fraser James, Golda John, Javone Prince

Creative team: Femi Elufowoju, jr (Direction/Dramaturg); Yukiko Tsukamoto (Design); Yvonne Dodoo (Costumes Consultant); Arnim Friess (Lighting Designer); Rockhill (Music); Simon McCorry (Sound Design); Nick Olumide Oshikanlu (Assistant Direction & Company Stage Manager); Nadine Hoare (Casting); Matt Noddings (Production Manager); Nina Scholar (Deputy Stage Manager); Louise Green (Assistant Stage Manager); Dave Sherman (Technical Stage Manger); Nick Blount (Technical Stage Manager); Stephen Cummiskey (Company Photographer); Factory Settings Ltd (Set Builders); Jane Harper (Publicity Design)

Profiles of the Cast

Syan Blake (Naomi)

Syan Blake has been instrumental in many award-winning productions. Theatre credits include: The Walworth Farce (Druid Theatre Company), After Mrs Rochester (Shared Experience, International Tour and West End), The Three Birds (Gate Theatre). For television: The Last Detective and Whose Baby is it Anyway (Granada), Doctors, May 33rd and Eastenders (BBC). Work in film includes: Siberia (Spectrum Films), The Death of Klinghoffer (Blast! & Channel 4) and in Radio Syan has produced her own Book Review Programme for the Robert Elms Show. She has recorded many children’s novels for BBC Audiobooks. Syan recently directed Oxford Street by Levi David Addai for Tiata Fahodzi’s Tiata Delights 07 at Soho Theatre.

Michael Brogan (Tel, Sarge)

Michael Brogan studied drama at Kent University and the Drama Studio. His film credits are: Crimetime, i.d., and Dark of the Moon. Television: Heartbeat, Brookside, Eastenders, Casualty, Hot Money, Dream Team, Grange Hill, London Bridge, Babes in the Wood, Maisie Raine, The Broker’s Man, The Bill, Insiders, London’s Burning, Radio Roo, The Cloning of Joanna May, Moon and Son, The Upper Hand, First Born. Theatre: Dealer’s Choice (RNT Studio and Salisbury Playhouse), Chips with Everything, Machinal, On the Ledge, (at the RNT), Hamlet, The Executioner’s Holiday (Merlin Theatre, Budapest), A Taste of Honey (Theatre Clwyd), The Caretaker (Theatre Royal, Plymouth), Sunsets and Glories (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Rebecca (Lancaster), Frankenstein (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow), The Long and the Short and the Tall (Northampton and No 1 tour), Einstein (The Gate, Notting Hill), Low People and Guys and Dolls (Leicester Haymarket), Biloxi Blues (Salisbury Playhouse), Afters and Blue on Blue (Old Red Lion Theatre), CAR (Belgrade, Coventry and Edinburgh Festival) and Nosferatu (Shadow Syndicate and Edinburgh Festival). This is Michael’s second production for Femi Elufowoju, jr, his first (playing Ash) in Dealer’s Choice (Salisbury Playhouse, 2002). 

Heather Craney (Monique, Helen)

Heather Craney trained at Central School of Speech and Drama. Her film credits include: Drinking-Crude, All or Nothing, Vera Drake and, to be released in 2007, Dangerous Parking and Music From a Farther Room. Work in TV encompasses Mark of Cain, Ahead of the Class, The Bill, Holby City, Silent Witness, Casualty, Torchwood and Year in the Dark for Channel 4 (2007) and Heather’s theatre credits include: for the Royal Court Downstairs Stoning Mary and Sugar Mummies (on tour to Plymouth and Bolton Octagon), I Like Mine With a Kiss (The Bush), Passion Play (Donmar Warehouse and Comedy Theatre), Penelopiad Workshop (RSC/NT Studio), Noel Coward Double Bill (Liverpool Playhouse), Blue Remembered Hills, All That Trouble That We Had and Romeo and Juliet (New Vic, Stoke), Dangerous Corner (Watford Palace), Death of and Elephant (Orange Tree) and Tess (JFK Theatre Company and Savoy Theatre). She was in Wartime Picnics for BBC Radio 2. Heather was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for Vera Drake (2005) which was awarded Best Film at the 2005 Venice Film Festival.

Joseph Morgan (Rod Campbell)

In 2002 Joseph Morgan graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama with a BA in Acting. TV credits include: Henry VIII, Eroica, HEX, William and Mary, The Line of Beauty, Fantabulosa, Mansfield Park, Silent Witness and most recently starring as Mick Mabley in series three of Doc Martin. Film credits include: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Oliver Stone’s Alexander, The Grind and Mister Lonely (scheduled to be released towards the end of 2007). Joseph also starred in the West End production of Telstar at the New Ambassadors Theatre.

Pippa Nixon (Juliet, Lauren)

Pippa Nixon ’s theatre credits include The Merchant of Venice and Holding Fire! (Shakespeare’s Globe), Days of Significance (RSC), The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (Belfast / tour), Project D: I’m Mediocre (BAC and Tristan Bates), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Creation Theatre Company), The Method (Oval House). Television credits include: Wannabes, Dream Team, The Bill, Holby City, 24Seven, Family Affairs.

Alexis Rodney (Marcus Pryce)

Alexis Rodney started acting at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT). In addition to Joe Guy for Tiata Fahodzi his theatre work includes: Game Theory (Traverse/Manchester Royal Exchange), Natural Breaks and Rhythms (Nottingham Playhouse), Little Sweet Thing (Tour), Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (Nottingham Playhouse), Bredren (Nottingham Playhouse), The Changeling (Southwark Playhouse), Junior’s Story (Tour), The Shining (The Royal Court), Kissing Angels (NYT Edinburgh Fringe). Film includes: Life and Lyrics (Universal), Two Brothers (Sigma), Buffalo Soldiers (Paramount), Goodbye Charlie Bright (Vertigo). TV includes: All in the Game (Tightrope North), The Bill (Talkback Thames), Murder City (Granada), Doctors (BBC), Holby City (BBC), Judge John Deed (BBC), Storm Damage (BBC). Alexis’ work in Short Film includes: Top Girl, One of Us and Punch Bag.

Abdul Salis (Joe Boateng)

Abdul Salis has been acting for eight years, starting out with TV appearances in shows such as Casualty (BBC) and The Hidden City (Hallmark). Then followed roles in films such as Love Actually (Richard Curtis), Sahara (Breck Esiner) and Flyboys (Tony Bill). Abdul has been playing Barry in Trevor’s World of Sport (Andy Hamilton, BBC TV / Radio) since 2002. Theatre roles include The Exonerated (Bob Balabon, Riverside Studios) and Don Juan in Soho (Michael Grandage, Donmar Warehouse). Abdul can bee seen appearing on TV shows The Bill (ITV), M.I. High (CBBC), Dubplate Drama (C4, E4 and mtv) and again in Casualty (BBC).

Mo Sesay (Buddy, Carlton, Jude Boateng)

After his training at the Webber Douglas Academy, Mo Sesay went on to play the lead in the film Young Soul Rebels, which won the Critics’ Prize at Cannes. Some of his other film credits include leads in Gurinder Chada’s Bhaji on the Beach and Channel Four’s Who Needs a Heart. Television credits include: Soldier, Soldier, Dangerfield, Sea of Souls, Peak Practice, Casualty, The Bill, Statement of Affairs, Trial and Retribution, Land of Dreams, Doctors, Holby City. Theatre credits include: The Gods Are Not To Blame (Tiata Fahodzi), Fix Up and The Caucasian Chalk Circle (National Theatre), Coriolanus and Under the Black Flag (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Long Way From Home (Tricycle Theatre), Medea (Stratford East), Abigail’s Party (Cambridge Theatre) and Blood, Sweat and Fears (Riverside Studios). This is Mo’s second production for Femi Elufowoju, jr, his first (playing Odewale) in The Gods Are Not To Blame (Tiata Fahodzi, 2005) 

Profiles of the Creative Team

Femi Elufowoju, jr (Director)

This is Femi Elufowoju, jr’s tenth year as Tiata Fahodzi’s Founder / Artistic Director. His directing credits for the company include the critically acclaimed The Estate at Soho Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and national touring (2006) and The Gods are Not to Blame at the Arcola (2005). Further credits include Bone for the Royal Court (Guest Director, 2004); as Associate Director at the West Yorkshire Playhouse (2003): Medea and Off Camera; Dealer’s Choice at Salisbury Playhouse (Guest Director, 2002) and Tickets and Ties at Theatre Royal Stratford East (Resident Director, Regional Theatre Young Director Award, 1996). As an actor he has performed widely for theatre, TV, radio and film, including BBC’s Little Miss Jocelyn (Series 1 and 2) and most recently opposite Robson Green in Wire in the Blood V.

Yukiko Tsukamoto (Designer)

Yukiko was born in Tokyo, Japan. Trained at The Slade School of Fine Art, UCL (MA) and Central St. Martins College of Art and Design (BA). She designed for Tiata Fahodzi for Abyssinia (2001) and Sammy (2002). Recent designs include: Hinterland choreographed by Liam Scarlett, Taniec choreographed by Raymond Chai at Royal Opera House, Linbury Theatre 2007, Hysteria (Total Theatre Award at Edinburgh) by Inspector Sands and Stamping Ground Theatre at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre 2006, Duel Fuel choreographed by Irek Mukhamedov at Royal Opera House, Linbury Theatre 2005. She is currently working on Rigoletto with director Alessandro Talvi. She was a finalist for the Linbury Biennial Prize for Theatre Design 2003.

Arnim Friess (for pixelbox ltd) (Lighting and Projection Design)

Arnim trained and worked as a photographer and audio-visual media designer in his native Germany, before moving to the UK to study Scenography, receiving an MA at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. He is founder member of digital content creator pixelbox ltd (www.pixelbox.ltd.uk) which specialises in designing dynamic performance and exhibition environments, blending media like lighting, slide and video projection, animation, film-making and graphic design. His work has been seen in the UK, Canada, the USA, Ireland, India, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Denmark, spanning diverse performing arts forms. Designs include the science-fiction opera The Pitchshifter for leading Dutch contemporary ensemble Insomnia, opera Saint of Bleeker Street at the West-End Peacock Theatre, award winning Rumblefish, Road and Lord of the Flies for Pilot Theatre, bricks-in-space spectacle Life on Mars at Legolands worldwide, An Inspector Calls for Theatre Clwyd, the appearance of hundreds of angels inside St Paul’s Cathedral for the City of London Festival, the Coventry Mysteries, Amour for Oval Theatre London and the Dance-Centre Toronto, Puntila and his man Matti and Rumpelstiltskin for Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Paradise for Birmingham Rep, Junglebook and Merlin and Arthur for the Chester Gateway as well as productions for Sheffield Crucible, Liverpool Playhouse, Kaos Theatre, Moby-Duck, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Snap Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre and Pentabus Theatre.

Rockhill (Music)

A vibrant music and publishing label based in the heart of the West End, Rockhill Music’s purpose remains managing and promoting positive music with cutting-edge production. Rockhill Music was set up in 2004 and the success of its first signing, GKREAL, thrust the label into the spotlight with media coverage in several major publications. Comprised of a vibrant and multi-skilled team of professionals, the scope of Rockhill Music is both wide and versatile. Heading up the production side of Rockhill is the dynamic pairing of Goziam Okogwu, who has worked with talents such as Beverley Knight and Terry Walker, and Managing Director Emmanuel Edwards whose musical credits include Blue, Another Level, Universal Records and EMI Music. The success of GKREAL’s album was followed by the production of the widely acclaimed album Acoustic Gospel Volume One which was released earlier this year and Rockhill’s latest project sees them involved in their first theatre production in collaboration with Tiata Fahodzi. “This is something we’re really excited about,” says Ayo Ajana who is the Artistic Coordinator on the project. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with such a great company.”

Simon McCorry (Creative Cabin) (Sound Designer / additional composition)

Composition and sound design for theatre includes: Bacchic devised by Actors of Dionysus (Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe Festivals 2007), Oedipus adapted by David Stuttart (national tour 2006), The Hot Zone by Nirjay Mahindru (Lyric Studio 2005 and BAC 2007), Master Juba by Michael McMillan (regional tour 2006), Migrant Overtures devised by Sleeping Dogs (Brighton Fringe and London Mime Festival 2005), Ministry of Pleasure by Craig Baxter (Latchmere 2004), All Fall Away by Said Sayrafiezadeh (Pursued by a Bear at the Latchmere, 2003). Music for film includes: One Day (Stock-pot Productions 2007), U.bi.qui.none (Studio Mejo 2006).

Nick Oshikanlu (Assistant to the Director/Company Stage Manager)
Nick trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has worked extensively as an actor on stage and television; his Tiata Fahodzi credits comprise: The Estate, The Gods are Not to Blame and Tiata Delights 06 and 07. This is Nick’s first job as an Assistant Director.

Nina Scholar (Deputy Stage Manager)

Nina trained at Queen Margaret College, gaining a BA (Distinction) in Stage Management and Theatre Production. Stage Management residencies at The Players’ Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East were followed by freelance career. Productions include In The Club (Hampstead Theatre); The Sunshine Boys (West Yorkshire Playhouse); To Kill A Mockingbird (West Yorkshire Playhouse and National Tour); The Wizard of Oz (Bruce James Productions); Blue Orange (New Wolsey Theatre); War/Lovers (A Million Freds Productions); Romeo & Juliet (Birmingham Repertory Theatre and National Tour); Only The Lonely (Birmingham Repertory Theatre); Little Sweet Thing (New Wolsey Theatre and National Tour); Two Step (Almeida Theatre); Blues For Mr Charlie (New Wolsey Theatre and Tricycle Theatre).

Louise Green (Assistant Stage Manager)

Louise has been involved in theatre and performance since she was twelve years old. She completed several diplomas at college before graduating at Wimbledon School of Art with a degree in Design for Performance. Louise has since worked with Frantic Assembly and Michael Clark Company. Louise has also been involved with various projects including the London Contemporary Dance School Collaborations Project, the renovation of the Roundhouse in Camden and Channel 4’s The Human Footprint.

Profiles of the Broadcasters

Dotun Adebayo

Dotun Adebayo presents Up All Night and Brief Lives on BBC Radio Five Live. He is also a successful writer and publisher. Dotun was Music Editor at The Voice newspaper for four years (1987-1991), and has worked as a columnist on Pride magazine and the New Nation. He has also written for newspapers including The Guardian, Independent, The Times, London Evening Standard and the News of the World. Dotun is currently working on his first novel, Promised Land, an epic saga spanning 50 years in the lives of Britain’s richest black family. Dotun founded the publishers The X Press which produces black fiction such as Baby Father, Yardie (which became the first black British bestseller when it was published in 1992) and the controversial Cop Killer. Dotun hosts his own two hour book show (Word For Word) on BBC London 94.9 every Sunday. Television work includes writing and presenting the docudrama Sperm Bandits and the documentary White Girls Are Easy for Channel 4. Tennessee Williams chose Dotun to play a small part in the world premiere of his last play, The Red Devil Battery Sign, in which Dotun acted opposite Pierce Brosnan.

Henry Bonsu

Best known as the man axed for being “too intellectual”, Henry has worked on BBC radio and TV programmes like Today, World at One, Public Eye, and Black Britain. For two years he was a panelist on Channel 5’s Wright Stuff, and now appears as a news commentator on Radio 5 Live, Sky News, and BBC2’s Politics Show. He has written for the Times, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, The Voice, New Nation, Pride Magazine, and the London Evening Standard. Henry recently presented a documentary on the 40th anniversary of the end of the colour bar in the British army, and two-part series on slavery for BBC Radio 4. Henry is co-founder of Colourful Radio, a cross-cultural speech and music radio station on Sky Digital and online. He is Head of Talent and Programmes, and presents a daily three hour Drivetime show. Henry is particularly active in the black community, hosting events for both grass roots charities, and the public sector, and gives motivational talks to young people around the country. His station has already gained a reputation for giving youngsters access to the radio (both behind the scenes and on air) in a way that other stations have failed to do.

Jocelyn Jee Esien

Jocelyn works as a stand-up, actress, presenter and writer. She first came to note in the BBC comedy 3 Non Blondes and has her own highly-praised sketch show for the BBC, Little Miss Jocelyn, a new series of which has just finished being filmed and will be aired on BBC2 in early 2008. She has an extensive list of TV and radio credits; in theatre Jocelyn has worked at the Royal Court, Chichester Festival Theatre and with Femi Elufowoju, jr in Bonded and Tickets and Ties. Her awards include: New Talent Award (Women in Film and Television Awards, 2006); Best Comedy Show for 3 Non Blondes (Screen Nation Awards); Best Show (3 Non Blondes) at the Black Entertainment Awards.

Angie Le Mar

Angie Le Mar is one of Britain’s top comediennes and is founder of Straight to Audience Productions which serves the growing international market for vibrant, top quality black entertainment. Angie’s career achievements range from being the first British performer to storm the legendary Harlem Apollo to making history in London’s West End with the first ever sell out show by a black comedienne. The Angie Le Mar Show on Choice Fm has trebled the station’s listenership in the weekend morning slot and has attracted guests ranging from Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover and John Singleton to India Irie and Maya Angelou. Angie’s TV work includes memorable appearances on Grumpy Old Women, Must Try Harder, The Real McCoy and her starring role in four successful series of Get Up Stand Up (Channel Four). In the theatre she is well known as the writer, director and star of Funny Black Women on the Edge. She has also played in the West End with The Vagina Monologues as well as her one woman show. Angie Le Mar is Britain’s First Lady of Black Comedy and as such has won numerous awards, including several BECA awards for Best Stand Up Female and twice for Most Original Material; The Men and Women of Merit award and the prestigious EFBWO (European Federation of Black Women In Business, 2002). She won a BECA Best Comedy Drama Award in 2006 for The Brothers.