Friday 5 November 2010

In Conversation: Shango Baku

Mustapha Matura’s adaption of Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters, remains one of my most memorable theatre night out. No ordinary feat, he transported me to the Caribbean with his eclectic characters and electrifying dialogue. Chekhov would have approved. What a fine production that was under the direction of Paulette Randal. Its 2010, and Matura, the award winning Trinidadian playwright is back with Rum and Cola.


In Conversation: Shango Baku

Sunday 24 October 2010

In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

In terms of theatre generally, there are people I just cannot touch. We have the Kenneth Branaghs, the Oliviers, the William Shakespeares; you can’t put my name in the same sentence. So, it won’t be about matching. I would love to say that my legacy or what’s on my epitaph or the epitaph on my tombstone will be “The man who allowed or found ability for African theatre to exist within the mainstream of British theatre and allowed it to continue. I just want the legacy of Tiata Fahodzi not to die with my departure really and there are other mini Femi’s knocking around”

In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)

Ellams writing is racy and laced with humour – “The charge was ridiculous, I was found guilty of ‘corrupting our traditional folk stories and using it solely for the advancement of ones own personal gain and interests.” – And is full of nuances which you can trace specifically to Nigeria and this makes Untitled very original. Emmanuel Lorien Spinelli use of African drums for sound effect truly brings the play home. And beyond the use of African, he creates the whispers and noise that you get in the forest which culminates in a deep hypnotic sound that transports you to different place in time though you are sitting in a theatre. Untitled as directed by Thierry Lawson and delivered by Ellams is an outstanding and brilliant performance full of energy and zest from a very promising voice in the world of theatre.


Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)

Thursday 16 September 2010

In Conversation: Arinze Kene

I think more plays like Estate Walls need to be programmed in theatre. British theatre has been documenting life in Britain as far as…well, a very long time ago. And to not write plays like Estate Walls would mean missing out on documenting a whole margin of people living in Britain.

In Conversation: Arinze Kene

Monday 13 September 2010

Win Theatre Tickets: We All Love Freebie

Want some free theatre tickets? Here you go...You don't want to miss this season of electrifying plays, with titles like Egusi Soup, Fixer and Pandora's Box, omo, you must be off-your-head to miss it :) See, the fun has started...
Win Theatre Tickets: We All Love Freebie

Thursday 19 August 2010

In Conversation: Gbemisola Ikumelo

In Conversation: Gbemisola Ikumelo

I think we are achieving it. I don’t think it is something that we have achieved because as long as Faith Drama keeps going, that is something we have to keep achieving and keep re-inventing ways to make it better. I mean last year we did a really large scale production and though I did feel we achieved so many things, I do feel that there are a lot of things we could have done differently and better. It is a constant journey. For example, we have a young lady who is going off to one of the top drama schools in the country. Though when I first met her, it was more a case where she wanted to go to university and study psychology and do drama on the side but the experience of Faith Drama for her was one of self discovery. Where she found out that she wants to be an actor and she wants to perform. So yeah, I do think we are achieving that.

Keep reading...

Friday 5 March 2010

off The Endz: Estate Life

Growing up on a council estate in London, or any estate in the United Kingdom for that matter, can be alright for some, but for others, the disadvantages outweigh the good. Many people have a love-hate relationship with council estates, and there are specific council estates which are deemed dangerous or not suitable for anyone to live in.

Read the Rest here: Off The Endz: Estate Life

Thursday 14 January 2010


Happy New Year!

This is to let you all know that I have moved home and while I aim to maintain this blog to the best of my ability, please, cross over with me to my new home.

It is new and work in progress but I am not letting that stop me from writing. I will go with the flow, write while I make the site better.

So, cross over with me into a new decade and a new website.

Thanks for taking your time to read this blog and leaving your comments. They have been very encouraging. I hope you keep reading my new blog and of course, leave your comments also.

www.belindaotas.com


Cheers!!!!