Routes: 1919 Race Riots -- War Doesn't Always Beget Peace

After World War One, Cardiff is in turmoil due to the Spanish Flu, racial unrest, and violent race riots. Bethan, a white nurse, is trapped in Butetown with Raphael, a black activist, and Rose, an enraged Jamaican-born boarding mistress. Routes is a compelling stage play about the struggles of black and white people, inter-racial relationships, immigration, age-old bigotries, and newly-held ideals, which is still relevant today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 70 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Stellar Books Publishing

After the conclusion of World War One in 1919, a wave of demobilization swept across the nations, bringing with it a mix of high expectations and limited prospects for employment and housing. However, amidst this backdrop, the third wave of the pandemic, the Spanish Flu, continued to wreak havoc, particularly affecting port towns. Cardiff, in particular, experienced significant racial unrest, mirroring events taking place across the Atlantic during the Red Summer.

Butetown, with its large population of seafaring immigrants, became the epicenter of this turmoil. Violent race riots closed in on the area, as Bethan, a white nurse, found herself trapped in a house on the wrong side of the riots. Beaten by white thugs for her relationship with Raphael, a black activist, she found herself in the crosshairs of Rose, an enraged Jamaican-born boarding mistress.

Racial tension, violence, death, and rejection threatened to suffocate them, but they were compelled to set aside their differences and work together as a united front in the heart of the Cardiff crucible. Routes is a powerful stage play that delves into the struggles that transcend racial divides, encompassing black and white people, inter-racial relationships, immigration, age-old bigotries, and newly-held ideals. While it is a play of its time, its themes remain as relevant today as they were during the period it was written.

The play takes place in 1919, a year marked by significant social and political changes. The aftermath of World War One brought about a sense of hope and optimism, as people anticipated a brighter future. However, this optimism was soon dashed by the onset of the Spanish Flu pandemic, which claimed the lives of millions worldwide.

In Cardiff, the effects of the pandemic were particularly severe, with the port town suffering heavily. The high number of seafaring immigrants in Butetown made it a vulnerable target, and the riots that erupted were a reflection of the tensions that were brewing in the city.

Bethan, the white nurse, finds herself caught up in the midst of the riots. She is beaten by white thugs for her relationship with Raphael, a black activist, and is forced to hide in a house on the wrong side of the riots. As the tensions escalate, Bethan finds herself in the crosshairs of Rose, the boarding mistress, who is determined to protect her property and her own sense of security.

The play explores the themes of racial tension, violence, and rejection, but it also highlights the resilience and unity of the human spirit. Despite the overwhelming odds, Bethan and Raphael are able to work together to survive the riots and find a way forward. They are joined by other characters who face their own challenges and struggles, including Rose's daughter, Jasmine, and a young boy named Thomas.

Through their experiences, the characters in Routes come to understand the importance of empathy, understanding, and cooperation. They learn that despite their differences, they are all part of the same human race and that it is their shared humanity that binds them together.

The play also raises important questions about the role of the government and society in addressing racial tensions and inequality. It questions whether the government was doing enough to support the victims of the riots and to address the underlying issues that were causing the unrest. It also raises questions about the role of individuals in standing up against injustice and promoting equality.

In conclusion, Routes is a powerful and thought-provoking stage play that explores the struggles that cross the divides of race, gender, and class. It is a play of its time, but its themes remain as relevant today as they were during the period it was written. Through its characters, the play highlights the resilience and unity of the human spirit and encourages us to work together to create a more just and equitable world.

Dimension: 197 x 132 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910275337