CASTS INCLUDE SHARON D CLARKE, DON GILET, JOCELYN JEE ESIEN, LYDIA WEST, DON WARRINGTON AND MORE

Radio 4, Talawa Theatre Company – the UK’s leading Black British theatre company, and producers feral inc, will come together to showcase original audio dramas by three promising young writers; Sian Davila, Charles Entsie and Roberta Livingston, from 7 May. These new works will be brought to life by casts including Sharon D Clarke, Don Gilet, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Lydia West, Don Warrington and more.

In Running with Lions a death challenges a British-Caribbean family as each of them experiences their unique reactions to loss. Sian Davila’s script is directed by Talawa Theatre’s Artistic Director, Michael Buffong. Charles Entsie tackles sexuality and identity in his play NSA, directed by Jade Lewis. Roberta Livingston offers a comedic exploration of class and gender in Precious Little Things, directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.

Between them Davila, Entsie and Livingston have presented work at institutions including The National, King’s Head, and The Gate theatres – and each now adds a Radio 4 drama debut to their credits. The broadcasts coincide with Talawa Theatre Company’s 35th anniversary.

Talawa Stories will be some of the first Radio 4 titles to broadcast as part of a renewed approach to bring audio drama to a wider audience. New half hour dramas are being commissioned to appeal to both on air and on-demand audiences, with some titles being available as box sets ahead of broadcast for people who prefer to listen to great new series that way. This follows the success of hit Radio 4 dramas such as Tracks, Tumanbay, The Lovecraft Investigations, and also hybrid docu-dramas such as Fake Heiress. Listeners can expect brilliant quality drama and sound design, fresh approaches to storytelling, and to hear work by new writing, acting and production talents. These new audio dramas will broadcast on Friday afternoons and more titles will be announced soon.

TALAWA STORIES LISTINGS

Talawa Stories: Running With Lions
Friday 7th May 2021, 2:15PM – 2:45PM

A British-Caribbean family struggles to come together after the death of their loved one. With each family member dealing with grief in their own way, they experience challenges to faith and their mental health, and examine the things they do and do not say, as they rediscover the importance of love and joy.

It tells a story with compassion, intelligence and atmosphere.

Directed by Artistic Director, Michael Buffong of Talawa Theatre Company, and written by Sian Davila (Semantics; Human Animals), Running with Lions stars Don Warrington (Death in Paradise, BBC), Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, or Change, West End), Lydia West (It’s A Sin, Channel 4), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Sex Education, Netflix), and Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away With Murder, ABC).

Talawa Stories: NSA Friday
14th May 2021, 2:15PM – 2:45PM

Set within the charged confines of a car, a clandestine encounter between two Black men leads to far more than either had bargained for as they come to terms with their identities and very different life trajectories.

Charles Entsie’s Adrian Pagan Award-winning NSA is directed by Jade Lewis (Quarter Life Crisis, Bridge Theatre). Idris Debrand (MotherFatherSon, BBC) and Don Gilet (Eastenders, BBC) will both star.

Talawa Stories: Precious Little Thing Friday
21st May 2021, 2:15PM – 2:45PM

A humorous and heartfelt comedy that explores womanhood, class and how being let down by the system leads to heart-breaking choices.

Willow and Nicole’s journeys collide in the dead of night when they unexpectedly meet in the garden of a London mansion. Both desiring something from inside No.92, they join forces to break in. But once they do, and get caught by the Nanny, Bian, it’s soon revealed that they haven’t been completely honest with each other.

Written by Roberta Livingston and directed by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour (Typical, Soho Theatre), the cast of Precious Little Thing is made up of Jocelyn Jee Esien (Turn Up Charlie, Netflix), Jacoba Williams (The Snow Queen, Stephen Joseph Theatre) and Tuyen Bo (The Great Wave, National Theatre).

TALAWA STORIES CAST AND CREW

Talawa Stories: Running With Lions

Maxwell Don Warrington
Shirley Sharon D Clarke
Imani Lydia West
Gloria Sharon Duncan Brewster
Joshua Alfred Enoch

Writer Sian Davila
Producer Ifrah Ismail
Director Michael Buffong
Sound Design Steve Bond
Sound Assistant Makashe Ogbon
Production Manager Sarah Tombling
Executive Producer Polly Thomas
Series Producer Gill Parry

Talawa Stories: NSA

Man Don Gilet
Boy Idris Debrand

Writer Charles Entsie
Producer Alison Holder
Director Jade Lewis
Sound Design Steve Bond
Sound Assistant Makashe Ogbon
Production Manager Sarah Tombling
Executive Producer Polly Thomas
Series Producer Gill Parry

Talawa Stories: Precious Little Thing

Nicole Jocelyn Jee Esien
Willow Jacoba Williams
Bian Tuyen Do

Writer Roberta Livingstone
Producer Ifrah Ismail
Director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour
Sound Design Steve Bond
Sound Assistant Makashe Ogbon
Production Manager Sarah Tombling
Executive Producer Polly Thomas
Series Producer Gill Parry