Description
Book SynopsisYou can''t just walk into dis bad man t''ing, you gotta learn the whole science of it. You step into that arena and you better be able to dance wid death til it mek you dizzy. Kwame Kwei-Armah's ground-breaking play about British black male identity and gang culture premiered at the National Theatre in 2003 to unanimous critical praise. It later transferred to the West End, making Kwei-Armah only the second black British playwright to have a play staged there and the winner of the
Evening Standard's Most Promising Playwright Award. On Hackney's Murder Mile, Deli is trying to make a living as an honest man and revive the fortunes of his mother''s West Indian takeaway. His 19-year-old son Ashley has different plans and longs to follow in the footsteps of family friend and local gangster Digger. As Deli finds himself and his business pulled further into the world he so desperately wants to leave behind questions of family and gang loyalty rise to the surface, leading to a sh
Trade Review'This is an angry, provocative, vital play, one that demands change in society while recognising that there are no easy solutions, and is passionately political while understating that the best way to communicate with people is to keep them entertained. It is thrilling to see it at the National - and will be even more thrilling if it inspires other black playwrights to follow its lead * The Guardian *
Elmina's Kitchen does just what the best contemporary theatre should. It urges people with half closed minds and averted eyes to confront the ignored and evaded problems of our time. * Evening Standard *
A scorching drama about the black experience in Britain's inner cities . . . there's no mistaking its raw power, humanity and urgent concern. * Daily Telegraph *
Set in London's contemporary East End, this is an assured, humorous, ultimately grim drama . . . a revenge tragedy for our times, with violent retribution tied in with today's complicated black culture of "respect" * Independent *
Table of ContentsForeword by Paterson Joseph The Play
