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Dark & Lovely
Newcastle Northern Stage
Until 4th November
2015 then on tour
Dark and Lovely is a wonderful nugget of
theatrical gold. Selina Thompson uses her own experiences and those of the
community in Chapeltown, Leeds. The end result feels very personal, honest and real.
Selina
begins the show by stating “hair is just hair”. The audience is then bombarded
with many examples of how hair is intrinsically coupled to ones own values.
After offering everyone a drink she examines straight blonde hair. The colour
of all those stars and Disney princesses. It is a simple statement but, without
actually saying it, the void is presented. The media rarely features examples
of beauty in other ways.
The
centrepiece of the show is described as a “tumbleweave”. It is a tent-like construction
covered with hair extensions. The show goes on in and around it and the
audience move in a well organised promenade performance. When they are inside,
it feels as if the tumbleweave is a part of Selina too.
The
show is interactive. Not in a “Hello, what is your name, what do you do” stand
up comic way. More in a ‘sit around on the floor and listen to tales whilst
audience members makes a hair preparation whilst another invited member of the
audience sorts out Selina’s hair’ sort of way. This show is far from
conventional.
The
science of hair and the history behind the show are used as a vehicle to start
discussing the Chapeltown community and their hair. The problems of dealing
with hair and expectation of society run alongside the community aspects of the
hair salons.
The
end product poses questions about culture. What is it like to be black, to be a
woman, to be a black woman in Leeds in 2015?
Dark and Lovely is an exquisite treat.
Intimate but not overly sentimental. Rich, powerful but not angry. Emotional,
though provoking but not lecturing or undermining of its audience.
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/preview-dark-lovely-at-newcastle.html
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
On The Web:
@SelinaNThompson
| #Dark&Lovely | www.selinathompson.co.uk
Behind
the scenes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3LSk__HqE
Running
Time: 60 minutes, no interval | Suitable for ages 7+ suitable for families (non
alcoholic rum for under 18s)
Cast & creatives
Created
and performed by Selina Thompson
Lighting
Design by Cassie Mitchell
Produced
by Emma Beverley
Designed
by Rachel Good
Composed
by BUFFALO
Production
Managed by David Lam
Touring
dates
3 – 4 November Northern
Stage, Newcastle
Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RH
7.30pm | £10 (£8 conc)
Box office: 0191 230 5151
http://www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/dark-and-lovely
10
– 14 November Birmingham REP
Broad
Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP
2.30pm (Thu & Sat only) and 8pm | £13 (£10 conc)
Box
office: 0121 236 4455
18
– 20 November The Crucible Studio
Theatre, Sheffield
55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA
5pm (19th & 20th only) & 8pm | £10
Box
office: 0114 249 6000
25
– 28 November Theatre in the Mill,
Bradford
Off
Shearbridge
Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP
7.30pm | ££8 (£6 conc) | Limited student offer:
£3
Box
office: 01274 233200 or email theatre@bradford.ac.uk
Dark
& Lovely was commissioned by East St Arts, and supported by Leeds Inspired
and Arts Council England.
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