as the mother of a brown boy...
Press Release
Immediate:
Chickenshed Theatre presents
“as the mother of a brown boy …”
Three percent of Birmingham’s population describe themselves as mixed heritage and it is anticipated that by 2020 they will represent the largest ethnic minority group. So what are the implications for the City and its residents? Some potential issues are explored through “as the mother of a brown by …” by Chickenshed.
“as the mother of a brown boy …” is the true story of Mischa Niering – a nineteen year old former student of Chickenshed. Told through the voice of his mother, it is the story of the life and tragic death of a mixed heritage boy who died whilst being chased by a police car. We see his whole life played out as she remembers it: the racism he encountered at school, the gangs he became involved with, the absent father who he idolised so much. Interspersed with this are extracts from the Coroner’s report which detail how he died and ultimately whether the policeman who was pursuing him was responsible for his death. Using dance, physical theatre, music and multimedia, you are confronted with a young boy’s struggle for identity and belonging in a multi-racial society. “as the mother of a brown boy…” takes you on a stark journey to find the truth behind an individual’s life: choices made; relationships lost and found; self-fulfilling prophecies; injustice; but most importantly, love.
The mother says: “as the mother of a brown boy I ask myself what have I created for him? What have I put upon him that he doesn’t see his own reflection positively – where he is constantly shifting his gaze to focus and fit other people’s perception of him? What have I brought this son into that I have to work much harder to make his footprint seen?”
Chickenshed is passionate in the belief that Mischa’s death should not be in vain. They are telling his story the way it was: the decisions he made and the paths he took, which were not always the right choices but not always actual choices either. Chickenshed hope that Mischa’s story will encourage others to question the undercurrent of discrimination and subtlety of racism in society and give a voice to those involved in the pursuit of justice.
The piece is made even more poignant as most of the cast members were Mischa’s friends. The director, Christine Niering was Mischa’s aunt and David Rubin who plays Mischa’s father in the production was Mischa’s Godfather.
What the critics have to say:
“Vivid and compelling” Time Out Critics Choice ****
“A powerfully emotive piece” The Times ***
“Universally relevant” The Observer
“An urgent and heartfelt evening” The Independent
“A cultural phenomenon” The Stage
“An important piece of theatre that young people should see” Fringe Review ****
Thursday night’s performance will be hosted by INQUEST and The Friends of Mikey Powell Campaign and is dedicated to Mikey Powell, the cousin of renowned poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah. Mikey was killed whilst in police custody in 2003. INQUEST is a campaign charity which supports the families of people who have died in custody.
The show will be touring nationally and will be at The Drum from Thu 21 May to Sat 23 May for three nights plus a matinee.
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Media Contact: Katie Reid, Marketing Manager on 0121 333 2421 or e-mail: k.reid@the-drum.org.uk
Venue: The Drum 144 Potters Lane Aston Birmingham B6 4UU
Date: Thu 21 – Sat 23 May @ 7.30pm / matinee Fri 22 May @ 1pm
Box Office: 0121 333 2444 or book online visit www.the-drum.org.uk
Ticket prices: £8 (£6), schools £3.50 (group discount buy 9, get 1 FREE)
Tour Dates: 30 April, Chickenshed Theatre, London
7 & 8 May, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, London
13 – 16 May, Cochrane Theatre, London
21 – 23 May, The Drum, Birmingham
26 May, Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
Notes to Editors:
About INQUEST
INQUEST was founded in 1981. It is a small charitable organisation providing comprehensive specialist advice to bereaved people, lawyers, other advice and support agencies, the media, MPs and the wider public on contentious deaths and their investigation. For more information visit: www.inquest.gn.apc.org
About The Friends of Mikey Powell Campaign
The Friends of Mikey Powell Campaign was established by friends and family of Michael Lloyd Powell (aka Mikey), a cousin of the renowned poet and writer, Benjamin Zephaniah, following his death whilst in police custody. Mikey was 38 years old and a father of three young children.
This is what happened. On 7 Sep 2003, police officers drove a car at Mikey hitting him, beat him with batons, CS gassed him, restrained him and, knowing he was injured, drove him to a police station not a hospital. At the police station the police officers did not call for an ambulance for over 4 minutes. By the time it arrived, Mikey was dead. The Mikey Powell Campaign for Justice shows solidarity with other families that have lost loved ones within police, penal and mental institutions across the country. For more information visit: www.mikeypowell-campaign.org.uk
About Chickenshed
Chickenshed is a theatre company with an inclusive creative process which means everyone is welcome, and everyone is valued. Not many places are for everyone and anyone - so a lot of people who find themselves unwelcome elsewhere in the world, come to Chickenshed. Chickenshed runs Children's and Youth Theatre workshops for 600 people, education courses for over 100 students, community outreach projects and a network of satellite 'Sheds' across the country (and one in Russia). Every extraordinary piece of theatre created at Chickenshed shouts out the same thing: anyone can thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome. For more information visit: www.chickenshed.org.uk
