'Beyond The Drum'

Beyond The Drum is a journey through 190 years of Black theatre in Britain. It is a journey that will ultimately focus on the rich heritage of Black British Theatre from the 19th Century (1824) Until the present day. This project will chart that heritage from Ira Aldridge, one of the most famous Shakespearean actors of his time.

This project will cover a period of 190years and will seek to link the work of those artists who sought to make their careers within the mainstream of British theatre and those who sought to create alternatives by forming their own theatre companies.

Black Theatre development in Britain has a story to tell. The hidden histories of people from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean are just beginning to be revealed. Preserving the material that will enable more people to disseminate information about the complex, multifaced past of this country and the place of these artists in it is vital.

Nu Century Arts aim to make a 1-hour documentary film detailing the long and varied history of the Black theatrical heritage that will engage a wide and diverse audience both as participants and viewers. Using hitherto unseen footage, a range of interviews from key contemporary Black Theatre players such as Kwame Kwei Armah, Don Kinch, Bola Agbaje and Roy Williams, as well as theatre partners Royal Court, Birmingham Repertory, The Tricycle and Theatre Stratford Royal. The film will be in high definition and of broadcast quality in order to attract and impress a wide audience of thousands of people across the country, as well as to attract attention from the mainstream press.