If you could say what you’re really thinking, right now, to the people that need to hear it, what would you say?
Writer Rachel De-Lahay and director Milli Bhatia have commissioned ten writers to pen letters that say the unsaid, for a new, online version of their festival My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid).
Produced by Tobi Kyeremateng with support by the Royal Court Theatre, the online festival will run over a week with a pre-recorded letter by Rachel De-Lahay read each night alongside two letters by some of the most exciting voices in the UK read live.
Writers include Amma Asante, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Ryan Calais Cameron, Clint Dyer, Afua Hirsch, Yasmin Joseph, Tife Kusoro, Lettie Precious, Campbell X and Rachael Young.
Performers include Adelayo Adedayo, Ines De Clercq, Anne-Marie Duff, Paapa Essiedu, Martina Laird, Alex Lawther, Neil Maskell, Sinead Matthews, Lucian Msamati, Rosamund Pike and Danielle Vitalis.
Actors will read these two letters for the first time in front of a live online audience. The recipients of the letters will remain anonymous.
Alongside the readings, there will be pre-recorded music from DJ DLK every night.
De-Lahay’s provocative act of letter writing, which sparked the festival, engages with racial tensions, microaggressions and emotional labour, asking the privileged to step back to allow the rest of the room to take up space.
Originally featured as part of Black Lives Black Words at the Bush Theatre, and after two runs at The Bunker Theatre, My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid) is moving online for the first time in collaboration with the Royal Court Theatre.
Like every incarnation of the festival My White Best Friend (and Other Letters Left Unsaid), everyone will be part of the live experience and bear witness to the highs, the lows and the uncomfortable truths.
Co-curator (Writer): Rachel De-Lahay
Co-curator (Director): Milli Bhatia
Producer: Tobi Kyeremateng
DJ: DLK
Stage Manager: Sylvia Darkwa-Ohemeng
Supported by the Royal Court Theatre
"Anger, anecdote, reflection fly off in all directions, sometimes sky-high; actors are occasionally almost crushed by the words."
The Observer | Susannah Clapp Read full review
“An overwhelmingly moving and powerful experience... generous in feeling, brave in its honesty and urgent in its politics.”
The i Paper | Aleks Sierz Read full review
At Home
Performance time: 6:30pm
Running time: 105 mins approx
Age guidance 16+
This work includes racist language, including the N word; other strong language; and references to violence, including sexual violence and police brutality.
Tickets:
£12 (standard price)
There are also £5 tickets for those less able to pay at this current time.
Half of the tickets for every performance will be available for free through the Black Ticket Project.
Extras
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