SILVER SHOREs
New slang productions DEBUT play SILVER SHORES opened the Tristan Bates Theatre 2012 programme
Photo by Andrew Alderslade
"Silver Shores is a fine production; it tells a good story very well indeed. As producer, writer and director, Tian Glasgow proves to be a triple threat…"
Keji Dalemo – Afridiziak Theatre News
Set aboard a slave ship in the late 18th century, SILVER SHORES is a poetic new drama written and directed by Royal Court Critical Mass alumnus Tian Glasgow. Developed at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Autumn 2011, the production features an ensemble cast alongside live drumming and a stark, compelling design by Rhiannon Clarke.
“... a real strength of the writing was character. Each of the four men we encountered was drawn well; I believed in their humanity...this is a well-performed, elegant and important show. It will stay in your head like the beat of a drum.”
“The true gems in this piece are the built-up soundscapes of African drumming, heavy breathing and dragged feet exercising in shackles…”
SILVER SHORES depicts the lives of three slaves collected from the coast of West Africa. While concocting an escape plan they meet Kayode Joseph, an educated black man pretending to be a slave to conduct an anthropological study. As their relationship deepens, Kayode comes to realise the truth of his own place in the emancipated world and the leash around his own neck.
Enveloping the audience in the slaves’ enclosure, deep within the ship, SILVER SHORES examines what it means to be human when you have no future, where hope can be found, and how people – and their culture – fight for survival.
Dramaturgy and movement by Ben Charland (Elephant Foot Theatre Company, author of the acclaimed Wealth at Cable Street Studios, 2010).
Cast includes Tyson Oba, Emmanuel Akintunde, Tapiwa Madovi and Edd Muruako.
Photo by Andrew Alderslade