Introduction
Identity is a very long road for a person and in this play, we wanted to show the torn between culture and being British born young people.
The original Play was called MIRRORS, because of Covid we couldn’t find a stage manager or a production team, finally when we did in January the Director suffered Long Covid. Fighting against timeline to deliver by latest May 2022 we had to take another approach and we decided to create an update version of a Play we wrote 4 years ago after research of Identity, mental health, cultural workshops and families focus questionnaires.
Kulan-The Play was created. A Bilingual Play who discusses:
- Race
- Culture
- ASB
- Difficulties in single parent household
- Roads to criminal activities
- Unemployment
- Education institutions
- Knife crime
The Programme
we needed 4 main actors, 2 Police Officers and 2 air stewardesses.
Monologue from a stressed Mother.
Partnership Work
we have attended many functions at Theatre Deli pre-Covid and loved the freedom in creating freedom to perform. They were trying to engage with local organisations and create a place for them. We contacted the Director Nathan and explained the situation and the tight timeline we were left with. The Director and the production company created the outlook we wanted and Reach Up Youth handled the script and the publicity.
It was new in Sheffield to create a Somali Play with full Somali actors, and many didn’t understand how will address the needs of the community.
We had to do education in both the mainstream sector and the Community as a whole. It was great to see many partners to attend.
Twice a week rehearsal. 6 hrs per day and the cast bonded and supported each other through zoom, WhatsApp group and meetings. “I never acted before but always sang in weddings and shows. This play and the rehearsals gave me more self-confidence as I suffered from learning disorder and domestic abuse that made me not to connect with people without fear. At the end of this project, I walk away with friends and a new family. Thank you” Samia (acting name Khadija).
The Play Day
Four young people meet at the airport terminal. 2 are leaving the UK because of the young son who is badly behaving at school and the fear that his single mother is that he gets stabbed or school exclusion.
The other 2 young people has got the chance of coming over and starting a new life with opportunity but they conception of the UK that everyone is wealthy, and opportunities are available to anyone. They don’t understand the financial stressed, issues like unemployment, mental health issues, independence, equality, body image, race etc.
The stage was set like an interactive stage, so we used the space of the all the hall.
The actors sat between the audiences and appeared walking around the whole hall. The Director wanted to get the audience engaged and moving.
KULAN AIRLINES DESK.
Our flight attendance helped with checking all the passengers and introduced Covid 19 restrictions.
The first impression is always the most important one. We sealed the area and made if flawless so the desk can be visible, and the passengers can go through the gates of security smoothly.
The captain was a silence actor who pretended to walk around and send the money to his family to Somalia.
He entertained the passengers by falling asleep on the chairs.
Security was tight.
Officers sketch was written by but these 2 17years old. They wanted to discuss lack of job opportunities and how its limited employment equalities.
Among the Partners
PCC, Voluntary Action Services and Yorkshire Sport Foundation
The Sheffield City Trust
CE- Center of Excellence CIC- Crime provetion voluntary orgnisaion from London
DINA and Sheffield Theaters
SYNC – Lloyd Samuels gave a speech about ACCEPTANCE & RACE
CCG, VRU and Firth Park Councillor
Case study
MJ is one of the actors, came to the UK as a refugee with 13 siblings and single mother. With no language and education challenges MJ had trauma from Mogadishu war violence. With school exclusions and fighting all the time.
With that in mind MJ had support of his family but couldn’t make friends very quickly, as he has learning difficulties and hot temper. Finally growing and using Reach Up football session as let of steam he decided to engage and decide to start writing his anger, hear break, disappointments, and love through poems.
As a natural born comedian MJ learned how to take directions from the Director and use criticism as way to develop himself. Also, to stand out from the 13 siblings with his talent of acting and to encourage other males form BAMER background to express their emotional and mental health through drama or poem and art.
He was happy to be star of the Show and worked hard to develop his personality and maturity.
Thank you
