Benedict Lombe
@benelombe
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writer | she/her | lava | @shiftersplay is in the West End until 12 Oct 2024 | insta @missbenedictlombe
London, England
Joined April 2009
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Pinned Tweet
"Not commercially viable" WHERE? Y'all did THAT. AGAIN. From
@bushtheatre
to the Big Big West End. Packed out every night. Thank you for showing up for us. And SELLING US OUT. AGAIN. 🥹😍🫶🏾
So SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
is sold out. Y'ALL DID THAT. The Lovers. The Dreamers. The Romantics. And our BLACK PEOPLE. They stay telling us we're not commercially viable. We stay proving them wrong. Making the work. And showing up. Thank you. I love us 🫶🏾
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1K
So SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
is sold out. Y'ALL DID THAT. The Lovers. The Dreamers. The Romantics. And our BLACK PEOPLE. They stay telling us we're not commercially viable. We stay proving them wrong. Making the work. And showing up. Thank you. I love us 🫶🏾
SHIFTERS playtext is here 😍 They really just let me write a whole love story. About 2 Black people. In exactly the way I wanted to write it.
Directed by the icon
@LynetteLinton
, beautifully performed by
@TosinCole
&
@heatha_a
. They are very special. We open Fri. See ya there ❤️
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Ahead of our opening night in the West End, excited to finally share this news too. SHIFTERS. For screen. With
@see_saw_films
.
We're cooking. Stay tuned 💜
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I cannot state how much I am in awe of Black People. Even in our exhaustion - when the inside of our tired is exhausted - we still show up.
It's been a tough couple of weeks. And couple of hundred years. Do you hear us now?
#TheProtest
Do You Hear Us Now by Benedict Lombe (
@benelombe
). Benedict is a British Congolese writer and theatre-maker.
Content warning: Contains mentions of racist violence.
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For my Congolese people, my African people, my Black people, who walked so we could run.
This moment is for us.
Thank you
@blackburn_prize
Thank you
@bushtheatre
Thank you
@andoh_adjoa
for that beautiful intro that made me cry. This is the greatest honour.
Benedict Lombe, 30, an emerging British Congolese playwright, is being recognized for her one-woman memoir-monologue that deals with Black identity and displacement.
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Yesterday we opened the first preview of my debut play at
@bushtheatre
. I held the playtext in my hands for the first time. And it was really lovely.
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BIG NEWS:
@ShiftersPlay
is BACK and transferring from
@bushtheatre
to the West End this summer. Here's my
@guardianculture
feature on what this landmark moment means.
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SHIFTERS playtext is here 😍 They really just let me write a whole love story. About 2 Black people. In exactly the way I wanted to write it.
Directed by the icon
@LynetteLinton
, beautifully performed by
@TosinCole
&
@heatha_a
. They are very special. We open Fri. See ya there ❤️
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41
222
Shifters
@bushtheatre
Red Pitch by
@tywilliam14
For Black Boys by
@RyanCalaisC
On one list. All happening. All at the same time 🫶🏾
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Dre & Des. My loves. Bye for now ❤️
@TosinCole
@heatha_a
& our captain
@LynetteLinton
thank you for bringing them to life so beautifully. Everyone who saw SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
& rooted for these characters with your whole hearts, thank you. It's been special, man🙏🏾
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How I 💜 this team. We did that. Shifters West End. We're here. We're open. Come.
@ShiftersPlay
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Shifters. Open for previews. From
@bushtheatre
to the West End. Y'all STILL showing up for us. Thank you for taking up THIS space🥹
So SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
is sold out. Y'ALL DID THAT. The Lovers. The Dreamers. The Romantics. And our BLACK PEOPLE. They stay telling us we're not commercially viable. We stay proving them wrong. Making the work. And showing up. Thank you. I love us 🫶🏾
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Didn't see this coming! Thank you
@theBBTAs
🙌🏾
Shout out to my MAD talented Team Lava &
@bushtheatre
for giving my work a platform.
(& my hairstylist, who said 'And the category is... Coming to America. But there will be no barking.' 👀
@hbllondon
)
#BlackBritishTheatreAwards
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Yesterday my fam came to LDN to witness my forever sis
@RAdekoluejo
weave her magic in our play Lava
@bushtheatre
. It was my parents' first time in a theatre. Look at those faces. They & their stories belong in this space, too. And this moment right here is why I wrote this play.
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Writing a show about love in a year of so much heaviness has been a challenge. And a gift. Big up
@LynetteLinton
@DanielLBailey
for always creating space for us to dream.
Join us + this creative team of magicians + this talented cast (😍)
Until then✌🏾
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There's a reason his name pops up in the "Thank yous" of so many beautiful plays by my contemporaries. A lot of his work is behind the scenes. Yet the impact manifests in the stories that are birthed on our stages, screens and beyond. How lucky we all are to have
@DanielLBailey
.
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I'm so honoured to tell this story - on the stage of my favourite London theatre, and with my
@bushtheatre
family. It's been a journey - and it continues still. I hope you'll join us 🖤 🙏🏾
#LavaThePlay
Following Harm is the world premiere of
@BeneLombe
’s Lava, an explosive debut that is epic and intimate by turns, telling one woman’s journey to unravel the truth.
#LavaThePlay
opens 9 Jul and streams online from 9 Aug.
Find out more:
📷:Yvette Dzumaga
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From first preview to final live show of my debut play
#Lava
@bushtheatre
last week. Took a beat to reflect. Firstly to my Bush fam - esp
@LynetteLinton
@DanielLBailey
@deirdre_OH
- thank you for riding for me & this play. You put us in the main house & told us we belonged there.
Yesterday we opened the first preview of my debut play at
@bushtheatre
. I held the playtext in my hands for the first time. And it was really lovely.
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Lovely folks in my DMs asking about Shifters tickets. Best bet is to check for rush tix, call
@bushtheatre
on the day for returns, or show up before 7.30 and queue for uncollected tix - few each night so might be worth doing.
So SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
is sold out. Y'ALL DID THAT. The Lovers. The Dreamers. The Romantics. And our BLACK PEOPLE. They stay telling us we're not commercially viable. We stay proving them wrong. Making the work. And showing up. Thank you. I love us 🫶🏾
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Round 2
@bushtheatre
.
Hyped to be back with this story and this team.
Hope you come through 💚
Tosin Cole (Doctor Who) stars in a fierce romance for anyone desperate for a different kind of love story.
Shifters is a world premiere by Benedict Lombe (Lava), directed by Artistic Director Lynette Linton.
16 Feb-30 Mar 2024 | Book now
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My new piece for
@charlestontrust
is an ode to Black sisterhood; an offering, a refuge, a cry of defiance in the face of violence. From
#MeToo
to
#ChildQ
, it asks: why is it that only some women get to be all women?
Performer:
@ShilohCoke
Chair:
@tobikyere
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For Black Boys - written by
@RyanCalaisC
, directed by
@TristanFAiduenu
, performed by a phenomenal cast
@royalcourt
- is going to save people's lives. I think perhaps it already has. So much to say - but thank you for bringing it into the world. What a feat.
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Shout out to
@deirdre_OH
. My Dramaturg of Dreams. Thank you for the way you hold writers. For reading all the unhinged drafts and still coming back to finish Shifters with us
@bushtheatre
. MVP. WE LOVE YOU 💚
Ooof! Book for
@benelombe
's Shifters at
@bushtheatre
before the word spreads and it sells out.
Feeling very blessed to have artists like Bene and
@PhoebeEclair
in my life.
Two nights of knotty, brilliant explorations of love and life this week! ❤
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Final live show. One last time to sit in your glow,
@RAdekoluejo
. The things I need to say can't be expressed in one tweet.
For now, this is my favourite photo of you, shot by the wonderful
@helenmurraypix
.
Big up, Team Lava 🌋
#LavaThePlay
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Hey Twitter, I've been wondering for a while - are there any London-based young Congolese theatre performers out there? Can anyone point me in their direction? Would love to link up. Basically everything I write is for you. So please holler at me.
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The single best thing a theatre I've worked with has provided for us. Big up
@bushtheatre
because this level of care is necessary and long overdue across the arts. No more retraumatising ourselves in the name of "Art."
We are also delighted to announce that Wabriya King is in post as our Associate Dramatherapist to support mental wellbeing for our artists and staff members.
Read more about Wabriya:
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To create something with your brothers & sisters, in a space that feels like going to your auntie's house, opening her fridge & immediately eating her food - I will remember this one.
To our community - this play is yours now.
Thank you for allowing us to tell it.
#LavaThePlay
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My Congolese people stay knowing 🇨🇩🥹🙏🏾
@shiftersplay
. PAPA WEMBA IN THE WEST END. Soul work.
One thing I loved about Shifters was the Yolele motif. The song mainly targeted Destiny’s mother but it could have paralleled the experiences of her father and/or Dre, about Destiny herself, Malakai, his nan, his mother or his father. What an incredible use of music🤍
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Not a single word wasted in this necessary, deeply thoughtful piece by
@LynetteLinton
for
@ESCulture
on
#WorldTheatreDay
. Felt it in my soul. An invitation for change & action - delivered with care, facts and RECEIPTS. Thank you.
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Five nominations 🙌🏾 Big up, Lava family. Thank you for the recognition
@thebbtas
.
What an honour to be seen, and to share it with these giants.
@SimpsonPike
@RAdekoluejo
@CrazyC21
@gricg
@jasmineswan01
@Jai_Morjaria
@JoshAnioGrigg
@DKFash
#ChandraRuegg
@bushtheatre
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This warms my heart 🙏🏾💞 And is why I'll keep writing Congolese characters into stories. Creating spaces to celebrate our culture without explaining or justifying our humanity.
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Ps. A final thank you to
@theBBTAs
for this strong colour coordination game 😄
When the award and the backdrop match the fit 🙌🏾
#blackbritishtheatreawards
#thebbtas
@bushtheatre
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Honoured to see LAVA shortlisted for the
@AlfredFagonAwrd
. Big up to all the Black Excellence on here. And thank you for seeing and celebrating us 🖤
@bushtheatre
📢 We’re excited to announce the shortlist for the 25th Alfred Fagon Award for
#BestNewPlayoftheYear
@benelombe
#DipoBaruwa
-Etti
#LouisaHayford
#CelebratingAFA25years
# MojisolaAdebayo
@JonesSomebody
@ZodwaNy
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SHIFTERS is now open. Feeling all the feels.
Been a while since I came across something written with this level of care. I see you
@theartsdesk
.
★★★★
#SHIFTERS
@bushtheatre
-
@benelombe
’s new play about love and memory is exquisitely written and beautifully acted -
@AleksSierz
gets that love will tear us apart again feeling, and salutes ‘the best new writing currently on the London stage’
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My theatre fam, thank you💚 Reflecting on opening this show to a socially distanced audience when things were (even) strange(r) & unsure.
@blackburn_prize
has me excited for more audiences to engage with the ideas in this play (& maybe one day even our production of it again🤞🏾)
HUGE congratulations are in order for our very own
@BeneLombe
!
We are thrilled that Lava has been shortlisted as one of 10 plays in the running for this year’s
@blackburn_prize
. So fantastic to see her talent recognised - especially for a show so close to our hearts 🧡
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🇨🇩🇿🇦🇮🇪🏴 Congo. South Africa. Ireland. England.
What's in a name?
#LavaThePlay
@bushtheatre
is now on sale! I'm feeling all the feels, in the clothes of Congolese fashion designer
@tinalobondi
coz The Bush always come correct ✊🏾🖤
Big up 📸 Latoya Fits Okuneye & 🎨 Doug Kerr
NOW ON SALE: Lava by Benedict Lombe
When a woman receives a letter from the British Passport Office, she is forced to confront an old mystery.
#LavaThePlay
is the explosive debut that will turn the way you see the world on its axis.
Book now:
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I'm trying to leave Twitter because I'm tired but keep getting lured back with these announcements 😫😂 We will all be there by force for
@RAdekoluejo
, there is no other option.
#DearElizabeth
casting announcement!
The incredible
@RAdekoluejo
will play Elizabeth in the first preview on 1 Sep.
This follows her critically-acclaimed performance in
@bushtheatre
's Lava which is currently streaming online. 🔥
Book here🎟️➡️
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What a joy to get to write this little piece to my best pal in the world for
@RoyalMail
x
#BlackHistoryMonth
Part of
@FreeWordCentre
's
#WritingOurWayHome
season and our Letters Home collab with the ever brilliant
@TLCUK
❤️🙏🏾
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"At its core, it's about being seen. As a full human being. Which I think we all want, and need." Distilling
@ShiftersPlay
in 1 min.
+ more on the chemistry of
@heatha_a
/
@TosinCole
, collaborating w/
@LynetteLinton
+ moving beyond 'making history' here:
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Let's go
@theatre503
👊🏾✊🏾
#503Five
@a_nniejenkins
@benelombe
@joeltheobscure
@JonLloydBerry
@benelombe
is a British Congolese playwright and theatre-maker and has recently been named one of the Bush Theatre’s Emerging Writers. She has been shortlisted for the BBC Writersroom - Drama Room, the 2019 Kudos/Royal Court TV Fellowship and the 2018 Papatango Playwriting Award.
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This prize has celebrated so many of my heroes. It's an honour to share space in the history books with them. And get to rep my Congolese people along the way 🙌🏾🇨🇩 Thank you
@blackburn_prize
for the recognition & my
@bushtheatre
fam for submitting me.
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Our people, man 🥹🥹🥹 see you, appreciate you 💜
We don't have shares in Shifters (maybe we should) we simply want our community to be part of something great.
Benedict Lombe is the third Black British woman playwright to have her play staged in the history of the West End - let's witness this, celebrate it and be part of Des
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow can’t recommend Lava on at
@bushtheatre
enough. With depth, range, poignancy and humour there was so much food for the soul. It is the perfect antidote to Priti Patel’s and Nigel Farage’s vision of Britain.
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Hello friends. Live outdoor theatre happening on Friday outside Tate at 3pm & 4pm.
Me,
@director_beth
#KhadijaRaza
+ this fire duo of
#BlackExcellence
that is
@MrJonathanA
&
@Anitajoy4
.
Come through. It'll be fun.
And it's free.
Full deets:
ANNOUNCING OUR INCREDIBLE CAST 💛 Transcendent stars ANITA-JOY UWAJEH (Cyrano De Bergerac
@ThePlayhouseLDN
; Twelfth Night
@The_Globe
; King Lear
@dukeofyorksLDN
) and JONATHAN AJAYI (The Brothers Size
@youngvictheatre
; Three Sisters
@NationalTheatre
; Noughts and Crosses
@BBCOne
) 💛
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Powers That Be - who do I need to speak to to let me write this
#PaulMescal
/
#AyoEdebiri
rom com plz? Me and my loose Irish credentials are ready.
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The energy, the care, the nuance, the intelligence, the magic, the joy, the joy, and did I mention the pure joy of
@SimpsonPike
and
@RAdekoluejo
. We get all of this and so much more. Y'all ain't ready.
#LavaThePlay
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If anyone is still sleeping on
@SimpsonPike
, you've been told. He is the future. Give him all the jobs. He directs with such nuance, care, intelligence and playfulness. He dresses like an icon. He hasn't taken his mask off once since March 2020. He is the definition of Dedicated.
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When you can deliver a masterclass on trans liberation being the key to the liberation of all people in the clearest way, then just casually recline on the pink bed whilst sipping your pink cocktail like this, you are an
#eternalmood
. 👌🏾
@travisalabanza
🍸
#AllTheWaysWeCouldGrow
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This is lovely. Thank you
@LennyHenry
🙏🏾
Saw LAVA by Benedict Lombe at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush last night. I was blown away by the whole thing. Ronke Adekoluejo performed at such a high level of expertise she left us breathless. Really well done to all involved. Excellent, funny and heartbreaking…
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🖤🖤🖤
📢We’re pleased to announce the longlist for this year’s Alfred Fagon Award
@babiryebukilwa
@benelombe
#DipoBaruwa
-Etti
#FaithOmole
@Kalungi_
#LouisaHayford
#CelebratingAFA25years
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Nothing quite like leaving with something tangible alongside an unforgettable experience.
#Salt
by
@SelinaNThompson
@royalcourt
hurt my soul. Like, burrowed into, looked around then gave it The Nod like "Yo, what's good?" Genius. Come through, warrior queen 👑
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#LavaThePlay
@bushtheatre
gets its international online premiere tonight 16 Aug-21 Aug.
Me,
@RAdekoluejo
,
@SimpsonPike
&
@CrazyC21
will be high-kicking our way into tonight's first livestream like 💃🏾
Join us:
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The Jungle is basically the single greatest piece of theatre/art/activism ever conceived. Peroid. Mind blown. Heart torn. What a rallying cry. Beautiful in every way. Bravo
@TheJungleLDN
team
@GoodChanceCal
@youngvictheatre
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This play is a thing of beauty. Thank you
@tywilliam14
, thank you
@DanielLBailey
and your beautifully talented cast and creatives for the space you've created for so many.
💥FIRST LOOK - RED PITCH💥
New photos are here! Tyrell Williams' RED PITCH has exploded onto our stage, getting audiences on their feet every night.
Check them out to see our absolutely brilliant cast in action.
📸 Craig Fuller
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Read this quite brilliant critique of
#BlackPanther
and
#CrazyRichAsians
. Both films I massively adore, but this reminded me of why it's important for us as POCs to not shy away from critiquing art by/for/with POCs, just because we are grateful it exists.
Decolonial Fantasy Lands '‘Everyone wants to imagine themselves as kings and queens, but kingdoms always exist on the backs of others.
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Thanks for having us
@bushtheatre
❤️🙏🏾
We’re also excited to introduce you to the 2019 cohort of our Emerging Writer’s Group.
@avawongdavies
,
@boluwatifs
,
@OhHiTash
,
@Jackson5minus4
, Casey Bailey and
@benelombe
will make up this years intake of writers. Welcome to the Bush family!
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If you like reading plays, grab a copy from the lovely
@NickHernBooks
.
Plus you get a few extra 90s tv references
@SimpsonPike
(rightly) wouldn't let me keep for the production 😅
★★★★
@thetimes
★★★★
@guardian
★★★★
@standardnews
★★★★
@FT
★★★★
@TheStage
★★★★
@WhatsOnStage
Lava by NHB author
@benelombe
is now on
@bushtheatre
.
Get your copy of the playscript at the venue when you see the show, or online here:
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@bushtheatre
@RAdekoluejo
@SimpsonPike
@CrazyC21
"Oh, freeeeedom!"
Final stream of
#LavaOnline
tonight. What a ride! Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Thank you for the love. I've felt it all❤️🙏🏾
Peacing out with one last bit of joy with these heroes.
#LavaThePlay
@bushtheatre
@RAdekoluejo
@SimpsonPike
@CrazyC21
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We're back we're back we're back.
#LavaThePlay
with the unstoppable
@RAdekoluejo
extended until 13 Aug 😍. Come through 🙌🏾
Exciting news! Thanks to the incredible support of our audiences, we've been able to extend Lava until Fri 13 Aug.
Lava will reopen on Mon 2 Aug. If you haven't seen it already, now's your chance...
Book now:
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Look at all these heroes. I have so much love for them. We did the ting 🙏🏾
#WritingOurWayHome
@FreeWordCentre
has launched 💃🏽
@ZainDada92
@_aminajama
@clarecallan
@bayan_bdg
Our hearts are full with love and thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate the launch of our
#WritingOurWayHome
season last night. Special shout out to season artists RESOLVE &
@_aminajama
(joined by
@IslingtonMayor
@Rakhiaismail
to kick things off!).
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Big up to our Lava Team! And her majesty
@RAdekoluejo
, who has been bodying this role since Day 1. Every night, I'm left in awe 👸🏾😍
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Yo. New
#PapatangoPrize
is open. Send a play by 17 Feb 2019 to
@PapaTangoTC
. It's free, assessed anonymously & everyone gets feedback. Winner gets produced
@swkplay
published by
@NickHernBooks
& £6K. Plus they're all such good humans. You won't regret it:
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I keep watching this speech every time it's shared on my TL thinking how ace it is that he uses the *entire duration* of his allocated time to make space. Refreshing to see it not always coming from people that look like us. Props 👊🏾
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Hello! Will you please come and play outside with me,
@director_beth
and
#KhadijaRaza
on Fri 21 Aug?
If you miss theatre + you love Black people - come through. This our love letter to you.
21st August, Bankside. Benedict Lombe’s TRANSCENDENT is a lyrical celebration of Black Love fusing song, rap & poetry, all through the eyes of a couple grappling with a future in a world dominated by racial injustice. Directed by Beth Pitts & design by Khadija Raza
#DamselYellow
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This was such a blast. Big up to the mad talented
@ShilohCoke
, who bodied this performance, and the brilliant
@tobikyere
, master facilitator of conversation. Thank you
@charlestontrust
for giving us space to do what we do. Excited to watch how this evolves through the years 🙌🏾
💥 Our first-ever 'Charleston Monologue' blew us away last night!
Written by
@benelombe
, the monologue was timely, hard-hitting & emotive. A powerful performance by writer, actress & musician
@ShilohCoke
.
📸 Steven Hatton of
@ElectricEggUK
snapped them in our garden yesterday
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Had a truly lovely time today
@PapatangoTC
#PapatangoPrize
. Honoured to be a part of this year's shortlist & be reminded that our stories deserve to be told and our voices heard.
@ImanQureshi
I'm really excited to watch you do great things. Congratulations! ✊🏾👌🏾
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Hello, twitter. Could you help me widely share this new opportunity for a
#CommunicationsManager
to join this brilliant, radical & lovely creative human rights think tank? Flexible working and can be based anywhere in the world. Apply here:
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We done did it 👊🏾
Launched a new season and now headed to my first
#503five
session. Productive Tuesday!
Big ups Free Word dream team.
Free Word’s NEW SEASON is here.
WRITING OUR WAY HOME explores shelter & belonging in a world where home is insecure & on the brink of collapse.
Join us & extraordinary artists & activists to build a better vision for home. 3 Oct–10 Dec 2019:
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Thanks for the vibes last night.
#AllTheWaysWeCouldGrow
Season Launch Party.
@clarecallan
@DeanAtta
@keithjlondon
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I'm in a cab for the next hour and the driver has the radio tuned to a channel chronicling the life of Boris J from "when he was a boy" to PM. Is this car sickness I feel or slow death? Pray for me.
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Honoured to have been a shortlisted writer for the inaugural
@royalcourt
/
@kudosTV
fellowship with
such brilliant company. It means a lot that this exists. Props to both orgs + the winning writers. Here's to more seats at the table.
We're delighted to announce the 3 writers awarded the first Royal Court & Kudos Writing Fellowships are: Rabiah Hussain, Lettie Precious and Ross Willis.
Find out more about what's in store for the writers over the next 6 months here:
Photo: Ali Wright
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Happy
#CongoleseIndependenceDay
to my beautiful Congolese people. The history of our people is extraordinary. Raising a glass to you - always and forever 🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩
And of course, Lava is kicking off the season!
@BeneLombe
’s explosive debut starring
@RAdekoluejo
and directed by
@SimpsonPike
is ready to turn the way you see the world on its axis.
LAVA:
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@blackburn_prize
@bushtheatre
Special shout out to my sis
@RAdekoluejo
. That's her voice in this. At the last minute, she showed, slayed an impromptu reading of the play (as she always does) then proceeded to hype me tf up like this. The way you show up for us with your whole self is beautiful. Thank you! ❤️
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Happy 60th Congolese Independence day to my people. Pre-rona, was writing a play set on this exact day, envisioning a world that recognises the innovation, artistry, bravery & impact our people have had on history + culture. Man like Lumumba said it best.
#AllBlackLivesMatter
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I still remember sobbing in the loos for half an hour when I saw the revival
@bushtheatre
2 years ago. The simple honesty drills through your heart and reaches your core and clings on. It's brutal and beautiful and I'm still not over it. Free read below. More than worth it.
Our next
#NHBPlaygroup
play is Leave Taking by
@winsome_pinnock
.
This epic story of what we leave behind in order to find home premiered
@LivEveryPlay
in 1987 and was seen
@bushtheatre
in 2018.
Read it FOR FREE for the next 7 days at or in the Issuu app.
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Such beautiful news to come home to. You are a wonder, my sis and I'm in awe of your magic. This is so very deserved ❤️🙌🏾
Thank you so much Offies! This is for Black Girls everywhere.
“You are beautiful, God how I wish you knew”
Thank you to the Lava Team who made the whole piece come to life. Without you, this wouldn’t be.
My Sister
@benelombe
Thank you for sharing your whole self with us.
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There is no one who's come to see this play and not fallen in love with
@RAdekoluejo
and her talent. My Virgo sis. You are majestic. You are unstoppable. You are the Standard. You deserve all the awards. Long may you reign 👸🏾
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As a black Congolese woman, felt this one in my soul.
Keep going. WHO'S NEXT?
#Antwerp
authorities have removed a statue of colonial Belgian King Leopold II after the weekend’s
#BlackLivesMatter
protest. The campaign to remove all of them continues.
#DRC
#KingLeopoldII
#Belgium
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Our Lava Team! The talent and fire of this squad. Beautiful work from our designers
@jasmineswan01
,
@Jai_Morjaria
,
@JoshAnioGrigg
,
@gricg
, movement director
@DKFash
, stage manager
@CrazyC21
- you all understood the assignment. Thank you for your artistry 🙌🏾🌋
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"Regardless of who was in the audience, everyone still leaves that space having witnessed a celebration of Blackness in its varied, beautiful and complex forms. And I count that as a win."
Wrote about Lava, theatre audiences & writing for different mediums for
@bbcwritersroom
.
Today we kick off our week long collaboration with
@bushtheatre
. The fabulous
@benelombe
shares her experiences writing for the stage.
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"Next year? We'd like to make a TV series, and a movie, and then a Jonny & The Baptists ride at Thorpe Park."
@NetflixUK
make it happen? 🙏🏾
@Jonny_Baptists
❤️
"Any semblance of 'gig' had been lost as everyone was too arseholed to stand". Jonny & The Baptists - First Gig Worst Gig:
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@FreeWordCentre
@ZainDada92
@_aminajama
@clarecallan
@bayan_bdg
Also, shout out to RESOLVE's
@AkilScafeSmith
,
@sethscafesmith
&
@GamLadz
for their epic installation... but MOSTLY for looking like the boy band your mum warned you about 👀😂
Big love!
📸 :
@rowanspray
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📣New season new season new season! Featuring some faves
@livwynter
@travisalabanza
@DennyKaulbach
@SoofiyaC
@whatemmadidnext
+ many more knockouts. Programmed by the light of my life
@clarecallan
. Booking open. Come through!
📣 PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT📣: Our new Season
#AllTheWaysWeCouldGrow
is now on sale! Featuring creatively fearless writers, artists & activists, it asks how challenging confined expectations of genders might open up possibilities for us all. Get booking!
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For our
#ThisIsPrivate2018
season, the excellent
@MZainDada
directed and co-produced
@ziasighs
pitch-perfect new visual poem. Play it once, then replay with captions, because the words (and visuals by
@filmpill
) are fire. Check it out.
VERY excited to share Zia Ahmed's brand new
#ThisIsPrivate2018
short film commission - The Moon Is A Meme. The visual poem premiered online w/
@tweetskindeep
() & can viewed in its entirety here:
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This isn't "the epitome of a team player". This is actually just a young man enduring the oppressive structures of a society built on racism. Everything about this is a violation. No.
#DontTouchOurHair
. Why are y'all still trying it, though?
Epitome of a team player ⬇️
A referee wouldn't allow Andrew Johnson of Buena
@brhschiefs
to wrestle with a cover over his dreadlocks. It was either an impromptu haircut, or a forfeit. Johnson chose the haircut, then won by sudden victory in OT to help spark Buena to a win.
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Shout out to our wonderful director
@SimpsonPike
- who's been working with four Virgos on this production (four!) and lives to tell the tale.
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Shout out to my faves
@Jonny_Baptists
who had their first non-preview last night and are now ready to boss it every night. Their new show is spectacular and so very special. Catch them at
@AssemblyFest
7pm.
JONNY AND THE BAPTISTS LOVE YOU. This is true. 7pm every night.
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Basically
@WhatsOnStage
said "we better see you
@bushtheatre
for Shifters or else." Come through 😊
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My
#LavaThePlay
family.
@SimpsonPike
and
@RAdekoluejo
. You both came in and gave everything of yourselves to this. And it was never just about making theatre. You burrowed into my soul and you made magic. Thank you for everything.
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Patiently awaiting the release of the production photos next week so you can glimpse the pure majesty(!) of
@RAdekoluejo
👸🏾 on
@jasmineswan01
's set. We are not worthy.
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@Natteitler
@FreeWordCentre
@travisalabanza
@DeanAtta
@Brrnrrd
@clarecallan
Thirded!
@clarecallan
is a powerhouse - if you don't know, get to know 🙌🏾
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@bushtheatre
And massive shout out to
@BlackApronEnt
,
@gricg
,
@BaileyDaCreator
for filming the show! Beautiful work 🙌🏾
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I've programmed the
#RightsStudioFestival
for
@CRINwire
and we have these lovely lot joining us for a one-off comedy bonanza at 7pm (UK time) tonight. Hosted by my faves
@Jonny_Baptists
w/
@JosieLong
,
@DeborahFW
,
@MrNishKumar
&
@CGdoescomedy
.
Come along:
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And all the Gs:
@CrazyC21
,
@gricg
,
@Jai_Morjaria
,
@JoshAnioGrigg
, DK Fashola and the whole Lava Team. You lot, man. 👏🏾
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What's that - two whole Benedicts in one line-up?
I'll be working on a new piece for this festival alongside offerings from this lovely star-studded list. Check out the whole programme, or a little more on my event here:
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Last night w/ the GC fam
@ScreenNation
#afterparty
. Afrobeats & vibes in
#MayFair
@TheMayFairHotel
was a sight to behold!
#ScreenNationAwards
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Caught the opening night of this epic love letter to Brent by
@Chino100percent
at
@KilnTheatre
and it was magical.
#FriendlySocietyRevolution
so powerful and relevant in the midst of community spaces being shut down (ps. check out most recent brill work by
@save_cg
to stop this)
The Seven Ages of Patience by
@Chino100percent
has taken us on a journey all around
#Brent
and those pivotal moments which have defined modern Brent, and British society. So proud of everyone involved (all 100+ people!) Join the
#FriendlySocietyRevolution
!
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