Tiata Delights 08 - casting announced
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
CASTING has been announced for Tiata Delights 08 which is being presented at the Almeida Theatre by British African Theatre Company Tiata Fahodzi – from July 28 to August 2, 2008.
Now in its fourth year, the annual new writing initiative – Tiata Delights – will present work by six emerging and established playwrights all resident in the UK. Over the course of a week, six new plays will receive staged readings by three directors – Syan Blake, Gbemisola Ikumelo and Nick Oshikanlu – overseen by Tiata Fahodzi’s Artistic Director, Femi Elufowoju Jr.
The week-long event concludes on Saturday with a concert bringing together a selection of UK’s finest African musicians. The confirmed line up includes Jamiroquai’s Sola Akingbola, Contemporary-Gospel sensation GK Real, Sierra-Leonean Harmonica player Leon Maddy, James Lascelles and traditional African classicist Tunde Jegede.
The cast includes Cathy Tyson, Ellen Thomas, Cyril Nri, Jenny Jules who was last seen at the Almeida in The Homecoming, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Danny Sapani, who played alongside her in Big White Fog. They will be joined by Ayo-Dele Ajana, Jude Akuwudike, Aml Ameen, Shyko Amos, Christopher Colquhoun, Adetomiwa Edun, Tunde Euba, Cush Jumbo, Martina Laird, Charles Mnene, Yetunde Oduwole, Rhoda Ofori-Attah, Chike Okonkwo, Marcy Oni, Ben Onwukwe, Israel Oyelumade, Richard Pepple, Joy Elias-Rilwan, Clifford Samuel and Ellen Thomas.
This year’s season opens with a new play written by 2008 Laurence Olivier award-winner Bola Agbaje. Other playwrights include Francis Aidoo, Yvonne Dodoo, Rex Obano, Nii Ayikwei Parkes and Ade Solanke.
Performance Schedule
Monday, July 28 at 7.30pm – In Time by Bola Agbaje (Nigeria); The Burial by Francis Aidoo (Ghana).
Tuesday, July 29 at 7.30pm – The Burial by Francis Aidoo; In Time by Bola Agbaje.
Wednesday, July 30 at 7.30pm – Liquid Gold by Yvonne Dodoo (Ghana); Burned to Nothing by Rex Obano (Nigeria).
Thursday, July 31 at 7.30pm – Burned to Nothing by Rex Obano; Liquid Gold by Yvonne Dodoo.
Friday, August 1 at 7.30pm – Walking Waterfall by Nii Ayikwei Parkes (Ghana); Pandora’s Box by Ade Solanke (Nigeria).
Saturday, August 2 at 6pm – Pandora’s Box by Ade Solanke; Walking Waterfall by Nii Ayikwei Parkes.
Saturday, August 2 at 9pm – African Music Concert.
Tickets: £10; or see all 6 plays, plus the Saturday concert for just £35.
To book call 020 7359 4404.