BadBreed and Theatre503 present ‘J’Ouvert’, a celebration of carnival, friendship and Black womanhood.
Playing from 29 May – 22 June, J’Ouvert is the debut play from 503Five Resident Writer, Yasmin Joseph, and award-winning producer, Tobi Kyeremateng.
It’s Notting Hill Carnival, and the streets of West London are alive. In dazzling colour and endless sequins and feathers, Jade and Nadine are fighting for space in a world they thought was theirs. J’Ouvert is a hilarious and fearless story of two best friends, battling to preserve tradition in a society where women’s bodies are frequently under threat.
J’Ouvert’s creative team of women and non-binary people of colour has been brought together by award winning producer Tobi Kyeremateng. Tobi is the founder of Black Ticket Project – an initiative creating access to the arts for Black young people, and was named as part of The Stage 100’s 2019 Most Influential Figures Working in the UK Theatre and Performing Arts Industry. Tobi won the ‘Inspiration of the Year’ Award at Stylist Magazine’s first Remarkable Women Awards.
Writer, Yasmin Joseph, on what carnival means to her: “Carnival is of immense personal significance to me. Not just because it carves a space that allows me to honour my Caribbean heritage, but because in practice I believe it’s a powerful act of resistance. Throughout my life I’ve always seen women as being at the helm of the tradition, they are both the purveyors and innovators of carnival and are fundamental in keeping it alive. This play is my way of reconciling with how Black women are often mistreated in the spaces that they pioneer.”
Director, Rebekah Murrell, adds: “We’re bringing together a team of the most exciting Black woman and non-binary theatre artists working in UK theatre today to create an experience unlike any we have ever seen.”
Striving to make extraordinary theatre affordable, Theatre503 proudly has a ‘Pay What You Can’ scheme for three Saturday matinees during the four-week run, giving you the opportunity to see J’Ouvert for as little as 50p.
