“You gonna get this VISIBLE Blackness – DARKSKINNED BLACKNESS in all its beautiful glory”
ARTICLE BY ELLA DEREGOWSKA, IMAGES BY SEYE ISIKALU
“How do queer, Black femmes achieve legitimacy when their soil is hostile?
What happens to their roots?
Who deserves solace on a sinking island where performativity is currency?”
In an exciting addition to Theatre Peckham’s re-opening programme, …cake, written by Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020 finalist babirye bukilwa and directed by the brilliant malakaï sargeant, is on from 13 July to 7 August.
Premiering at the extremely fitting, award-winning venue, …cake promises to empower the kind of social change that Theatre Peckham champions. This compelling two-hander is the second part of a trilogy, the first of which, …blackbird hour, was shortlisted for a number of awards including the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2019. There’s no doubt that babirye’s newest play promises to demonstrate even more of their outstanding talent.
babirye, born and raised in Bethnal Green, is an experienced playwright, actor and poet. Their work has been recognised by many, with invites to participate in a course at the Royal Court Theatre, join the BBC London Writers’ Room 2018, and acceptance onto Soho Theatre’s writers lab course, which they are currently on.
Theatre Peckham’s artistic director Suzanne McLean says: “babirye’s writing is innovative and pushes the boundaries of form. Providing a safe space and a platform to thrive stays true to the mission of Theatre Peckham. This is a vital and bold new play which honours intersectionality and re-centres voices which will connect not only with our local community but with audiences London-wide.”
With an entirely Black, majority queer cast and production team, this play celebrates Black queer femme voices. …cake is a psychological drama which explores the themes of “family, roots and belonging” through a distinctly queer lens.
Not only that, babirye promises that the cast, Danielle Kassarate (playing Sissy) and Donna Banya (playing Eshe), “will erupt you differently” with a performance that is “honest and powerful”. “You gonna get this VISIBLE Blackness – DARKSKINNED BLACKNESS in all its beautiful glory.”
malakaï sargeant’s directing guarantees an unapologetic, considered and careful portrayal of Black British writing and Black, queer joy.
With a fearless, diverse creative team, …cake is one show you won’t want to miss.
…cake is at Theatre Peckham 13 July – 7 August
For tickets and info click here: theatrepeckham.co.uk/show/cake-2
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