“Sometimes I pretend I’m in a music video. And that I have a backing group. And they’re always black, even though I don’t have any black friends, in real life.”
All they play in the local nightclubs is Little Mix and Miley Cyrus. How is Danesha supposed to vibe to that? Box Of Tricks' joyful new play Danesha, exploring black culture, queer joy and loving your authentic self, comes to the Bramall Rock Void at Leeds Playhouse from 10-12 October.
Written by emerging Manchester-born playwright Stefanie Reynolds, the world premiere tour opens at The Lowry in Salford before visiting Leeds Playhouse, The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University, Blackpool Grand, Chester Storyhouse and Unity Theatre, Liverpool.
After successfully convincing her Preston mates (and telling a teeny, tiny white lie to her dad), Danesha arranges a night out in Manchester. She finds the sickest club with the sickest music and the sickest vibe. It’s proper, proper mint. Then she meets “Her” and Danesha’s whole existence is turned upside down. She thought it was normal to feel like you don’t quite fit in, to like music that nobody else likes, to move your body in a way your friends can’t, and to not know anything about your mum and the island she comes from. But that’s not her new normal.
Adam Quayle, Joint Artistic Director of Manchester-based Box of Tricks, said: "We're over the moon to be touring this new play celebrating black queer joy to schools and theatres across the North. In the current climate, funding cuts have hit the arts and education, so we're delighted to be touring new work that speaks to young people and ignites a passion for theatre."
Playwright Stefanie Reynolds is a mixed raced, working class, neurodivergent, queer playwright and TV writer from Manchester. She grew up as mixed-race child living with a single white parent – a lived experience that is reflected in Danesha in an exuberant celebration of race and blackness, which also explores queerness, identity and new passions in a predominately heteronormative community.
Stefanie Reynolds said: "I'm beyond thrilled and delighted that the world is finally getting to meet Danesha. I hope this play resonates with audiences. I hope people find the joy and magic that Danesha brings, and I also hope they're able to see themselves and feel a little less alone."
Danesha is directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, with Co-Designers Sascha Gilmour and Marina Diamantidi , Sound Design by Sophia Harari, Lighting by Charly Dunford and Movement Direction from Aiden Crawford. The Production Manager is Arber Binjaku.
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