Samskara (NHB Modern Plays) E-Book

Lanre Malaolu

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

Four generations of black men are trying to understand themselves in a world which tells them they have to be strong. Inspired by real-life testimony and told through an explosive fusion of text, physical theatre and hip-hop dance, Samskara explores vulnerability, emotional trauma and how cycles of fathering affect masculinity. Moving through joy and suffering, laughter and longing, this soul-baring odyssey untangles what it means to be a black man in twenty-first-century Britain. Samskara premiered at The Yard Theatre, London, in November 2021, written, directed and choreographed by award-winning artist Lanre Malaolu. 'Lanre Malaolu has a light touch on heavyweight subjects. His sharp, naturalistic script switches between laugh-out-loud comedy, personal psychology and social comment to address black masculinity in the 21st century... powerful, moving, rich and straight-talking... Malaolu is a real talent, and Samskara deserves a wide audience' - Guardian 'An outburst of a show... an achingly moving 90 minutes that questions whether Black men must be strong to be valued... Samskara feels current and raw... A triumph in its frank unpicking of the male psyche, it masters the experience of being an equally joyful and painful watch' - The Stage 'Undulating between naturalistic dialogue, mesmerising physical storytelling, and genuinely laugh-out-loud moments... Samskara is at once a deliciously joyful and hard-hitting watch' - Exeunt

Leseprobe

Lanre Malaolu

SAMSKARA

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Original Production Details

Epigraph

Author’s Note

Samskara

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Samskara was first performed at The Yard, London, on 8 November 2021, with the following cast and creative team:

SILENT MAN

Paaliba Abugre

WISDOM

Oliver Alvin-Wilson

FATHER

Will Atiomo

YOUNG BUCK

Ntonga Mwanza

OLDER

Razak Osman

DRUMMER

Yahael Camara Onono

Writer, Director& Choreographer

Lanre Malaolu

Assistant Choreographer

Rochea Dyer

Assistant Director

Kirk-Ann Roberts

Dramaturg

Anthony Simpson-Pike

Technical Stage& Production Manager

Meg Hodgson

Associate Designer

Natalie Pryce

Lighting Designer

Ali Hunter

Composer & Sound Designer

Jan Baranowski

Additional Composition

Yahael Camara Onono

Creative Producer

Shereen Hamilton

Executive Producer

Ruby Baker

The Black Nod is not just ‘hey, racism exists and we’ve got a coherent experience…’, The Black Nod between mandem is also, sorry we was all such dickheads to each other fam…

Akala

So did you see who shot you?

yes I saw his touch its pulse like my father who held me twice the day I was born the day I angered him

Caleb Femi, ‘Repress’

Author’s Note

I’d like to thank a few people who’ve helped to build, develop and plant the seeds for Samskara over the last decade. Some of these people are aware of this, some aren’t.

Thank you to the brothers at HMP Thameside in 2016, for being vulnerable with me during those six weeks of workshops, in an environment that doesn’t promote vulnerability in any way, shape or form.

Thank you to my incredible cast, creative team and The Yard for your continuous work, passion and engagement during (and after) rehearsals. You’re all Gs.

Thank you to Valentine Olukoga. The bravery and heart you showed me and the cast within those three days will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you to Derek Owusu. Safe was the first book I read where I truly felt seen.

Finally, they say your greatest challenges are your greatest teachers. So, thank you, Dad. I wouldn’t have created Samskara without having the experience I did growing up.

L.M., 2021

Characters

YOUNG BUCK

OLDER

FATHE

WISDOM

SILENT MAN

DRUMMER

Setting

A row of four chairs upstage-centre, where the ensemble will sit.

A chair on the outskirts of the space, where DRUMMER will sit.