Black British Queer Plays and Practitioners: An Anthology of Afriquia Theatre

A bold play collection representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) experiences, from Black British perspectives, this anthology contains seven radical plays by Black writers that change the face of theatre in Britain. With an international reach connecting Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, these plays address themes including same-sex love, sex, homophobia, apartheid, migration and space travel. The collection captures the historical scope and range of Black British LGBTIQ+ theatre, from the 1980s to 2021. Including a range of forms, from monologue to musicals, realist drama to club-performance, readers will journey through the development of Black Queer theatre in Britain. Through a helpful critical introduction, this book provides important socio-political and historical context, highlighting and illuminating key themes in the plays. Each play is preceded by an intergenerational 'in-conversation' piece between two Black British LGBTIQ+ artists and writers who will talk about their own work in relation to the play, looking back at the history and on into the future. Through these rare conversations with highly acclaimed award-winning practitioners, readers will also gain an insight into the theatre industry, funding, producing, venues as well as the politics of identity, the diversity of LGBTIQ+ lives and the richness of Black British cultures.

Jaqueline Rudet; Paul Boakye; Valerie Mason; Rikki Beadle-Blair; Travis Alabanza; Zodwa Nyoni; Temi Wilkey; Mojisola Adebayo

Introduction by Mojisola Adebayo and Lynette Goddard Jaqueline Rudet, Basin, 1987 Paul Boakye, Boy With Beer, 1995 Valerie Mason-John, Sin Dykes, 1998 Rikki Beadle-Blair, Bashment, 2005 Zodwa Nyoni, Nine Lives, 2014 Travis Alabanza, Burgerz, 2018 Temi Wilkey - The High Table 2019 Mojisola Adebayo, Stars, 2019