In its first performance in a professional theatre space – Brixton House – the Black Men’s Consortium presents Without Planning Permission!
on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 November.
This community engagement event (set on a council estate) immerses its audience in film, interactivity, debate and improvisation and promises “a fantastic cast of performers, who take you into dimensions you have never seen before.”
Imagine the scene…
“Spectators enter the space to find performances triggered by their presence. As you move between positions a character comes to life and engages you in a unique encounter. The spectator learns that they are someone important in that character’s life. Spectators move between positions to explore a range of individual encounters – each one a meeting, a journey, a disclosure. Every position is in a different location, 20 positions 20 improvisers 20 encounters. You become empowered to decide the ultimate fate of the characters.”
The Black Men’s Consortium is a community-led exploration arts project in which Black men of African Descent meet to experience positive and meaningful interactions and discuss issues that matter to them. Through opportunities to express oneself, speak, learn and empower themselves creatively by using and mixing politics with art in order to make performances which are rooted in the group members’ experiences.
While this is their first time in a professional theatre space, the group is not new to treading the boards with heralded performances in landmark settings. This thanks to their enigmatic founder Tony Cealy (read more about his work below). In this latest exploration
The audience is asked Questions to think about:
- How can Black Men survive a post COVID UK and remain proactive during these challenging and uncertain times?
- How do we ensure that Black Men can survive in an unjust society?
- What are the current obstacles Black Men face now after nearly 75 years since Windrush?
- What can Black Men do collectively to look after their Mental Health & Wellbeing and address our current reality?
- How might Black Men sustain meaningful contributions to a new paradigm that tackles Systemic Racism?
- How Might Black Men build and develop sustainable economic wealth?
- How might Black Men not end up overrepresented in the harshest statistics in our society for criminal justice, health, mental health and life expectancy?
How can Black Men support and guide the next generation so that we are better prepared for civil action?
Book tickets here for Without Planning Permission!
The Black Men’s Consortium meets Monday evenings and is a space for Black men where differences of opinion and unspoken feelings and resentments can be safely voiced and shared. The group works to creatively cement long term relationships which lead to shared activities.
Contact http://theblackmensconsortium.com/ 07956 877358
Read more about Tony’s work below:
- Founder, Director & Producer of 492 Korna Klub the UK’s only weekly improvised radio drama exploring social issues amongst the black community
- Artistic Agitator Fellow Brixton House – connecting strangers & beginning difficult conversations in shared spaces about Brixton and its people
- Co-Founder & Curator of 81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance – a ground-breaking grass-roots project, built from the ground up with over 300 people giving their time and energy for free to make a radical reclaiming of heritage – to imagine, experiment and create new futures. Click here on how to get involved: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=287694275664249&ref=watch_permalink
- Facilitator & trainer at the Core Learning Group. A project that sets out to envisage how civil society in London might better share resources and power to drive change. https://smk.org.uk/what-we-do/power-project/resource-pinboard/
- Facilitator & trainer at https://www.ubele.org/ using arts culture & heritage for community development
- Reference Group Member https://www.culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk/creative-health-quality-framework
- Graduate at GLA Public Health London Community of Practice Network for Community Development for Health https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/health/healthy-communities