Black Women Centre Stage: Diasporic Solidarity in Contemporary Black British Theatre

This book explores the political alliances formed by Black women playwrights in the UK through the concept of creative diasporic solidarity. It examines how these playwrights respond creatively to the violence and marginalization of Black communities, particularly Black women, activating spectators' responsibility and solidarity towards different types of violence experienced by Black women.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate web of political alliances forged across the diaspora in contemporary plays penned by Black women playwrights in the UK. By employing the concept of creative diasporic solidarity, it offers a groundbreaking theoretical framework to explore the innovative ways in which these playwrights respond creatively to the pervasive violence and marginalization experienced by Black communities, particularly Black women. Through a thorough examination of the potential of these plays to evoke the spectators' responsibility and solidarity towards diverse forms of violence faced by Black women, the study demonstrates that theatre possesses the capacity to serve as a fertile ground for ethical encounters with the Other, defined in terms of alterity, as someone distinct from the self.

The book engages with a diverse range of contemporary works created by Black women playwrights in the UK, including the esteemed names of Mojisola Adebayo, Theresa Ikoko, Diana Nneka Atuona, Gloria Williams, Charlene James, and Yusra Warsama. By adopting a gendered and intersectional approach to the analysis of these texts, the book sheds light on the complex interplay of identities and experiences that shape the narratives.

This insightful book holds immense appeal to students and scholars engaged in the fields of contemporary theatre, gender studies, and diaspora studies. Its profound exploration of political alliances, creative responses to violence, and the role of theatre in fostering solidarity and empathy offers valuable insights into the ongoing dialogue surrounding identity, representation, and social justice.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032494005