Darlings, it’s Grace Hatchwell here – the purple-clad postie with a satchel full of theatre secrets and a soft spot for stories that stir the soul. And oh, have I got a gem for you!
Word on the street (and by street, I mean my Fringe-fluttering delivery route) is that the fabulous folks at Talawa, the UK’s leading Black British theatre company, are premiering something truly special: Fragments of Us. It’s part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival’s big 3-0 bash, and trust me – this one’s not just theatre, it’s a heart-pour in public.
They’ve teamed up with the stunning movers of FUBUNATION and the brilliant Sonia Hughes to craft an outdoor experience that’s raw, moving, and joyously human. Think fragments of love, grief, resilience – told through movement, spoken word, and those little moments that hit you right in your ticker.
This isn’t one to sit back and watch – it’s one to feel, up close. A reminder, dears, that our stories – deserve to be seen, heard, and held.
The UK’s leading Black British theatre company, Talawa will premiere an uplifting new outdoor
work, Fragments of Us as part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival’s 30th anniversary. In
collaboration with London-based Black British contemporary dance company FUBUNATION and
theatre and live art practitioner Sonia Hughes, this captivating outdoor work uses movement and
spoken word to platform Black voices and experiences. Fragments of Us offers audiences the
chance to interact with an intimate and personal story, told in pieces.
Throughout this poignant and joyful outdoor performance, the cast of Black performers reveal
fragments of their individual stories, from moments of love and joy to struggle and loss – all of
which resonate deeply within the collective human experience. Fragments of Us epitomises
themes of resilience, identity, and heartfelt vulnerability and aims to create work that addresses
big ideas, whilst still allowing audiences to be close to the action.
Bringing the stunning outdoor performance to life with a blend of Hip Hop and African styles,
dancers will engage in spontaneous interactions with audience members. Opening an intimate
dialogue for chosen participants to reflect on their own personal stories and connections,
Fragments of Us presents a powerful balance between the personal and the communal.
Michael Buffong, Artistic Director of Talawa comments, Drawing on personal lived experiences, this
piece delves into the relationships black men have with each other and with the world. Having been
part of Talawa’s creative pipeline and commissioning model since 2020, the development process
for this work has included access to the Talawa Studio and team, providing a supportive space for
the lead artists to test out and develop their ideas and unearth their perspectives on pleasure, love,
family, memory, safety, joy and life
This early showing at GDIF offers a powerful first preview of what will later be developed into a
full-length work. With infinite experiences to be shared, Fragments of Us and its combination of
rhythmic beats and soulful expressions platforms individual stories and celebrates the strength of
brotherhood through a unique lens – one which reflects the collective history that shapes today’s
identities.
Fragments of Us will not only leave audiences moved after witnessing the power of storytelling but
will also be brought to life by this vibrant performance, leaving them feeling like getting up and
dancing in the street themselves.
https://www.talawa.com/productions/fragments-of-us-gdif
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