The perilous lives of young Londoners interweave in a play about love, family and gang culture.
Through the intense interweaving lives of a community of young Londoners, the new play from Jonathan Brown explores ambition, poverty and identity as it follows the characters’ journeys on roads high and low. Some seek to raise themselves, some want redemption, and some just want to get by, but all are affected by the culture of deprivation that pervades their daily lives. Augmented by live music from Fred Hills, and examining the circumstances that draw people towards violent crime, Knife on The Table paints a picture of those whose options are limited. The play was created partly in partnership with anti-knife crime charity Ben Kinsella Trust and was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize in 2019.
Flint is an excluded teen at a crossroads. Gangland chief Angel sees potential in him, but he wants to stay on the good side of studious childhood sweetheart Book. Meanwhile his former convict, now Childline listener father is trying to reach him, and Book’s pregnant friend Shania is already too far down the road with her crew to be able to sleep at night.
Alongside the show, Something Underground is offering free workshops to young people ages 10 – 17. The five workshops will be delivered by professional actors, musicians, dance teachers and director Jonathan Brown, and will culminate in a performance for families and friends. The free workshops will also include knife-crime prevention workshops from The Ben Kinsella Trust, and comic-creation from Penificent, who use graphic art and comics to explore issues of gang violence and mental health.
Written by Jonathan Brown Co-directed by Jonathan Brown & Marlie Haco
Cast
Emma Bakare plays Carol
Helen Ajayi plays Shania
Rowan Armitt-Brewster plays Bragg
Moyosola plays Book
Jez Davess-Humphrey plays Flint
Magdalene Mills plays Chantal
Nicholas Clarke plays Danny
Jonathan Brown plays Angel
Listings
Knife on The Table: 5 – 26 October 2024
Venue: The Cockpit, Gateforth St, London NW8 8EH
Times: Tues – Sat 7.30pm, Sat matinees 2.30pm
Price: £15 (£10 concs)