This week we are delving into a seminal point in Black British theatre, the 1950s. We look at the historical backdrop of the post-war period, mass immigration, and the Windrush Generation.  

Two important playwrights who were part of that generation were Errol John and Barry Reckord. Their plays ‘Moon on a Rainbow Shawl’ and ‘Flesh to a Tiger’, look at the lives of Black people in the Caribbean under colonial rule, and the motivations many people had for making the journey to live and work in Britain. We listen to an audio clip from the National Theatre’s 2012 production of ‘Moon on a Rainbow Shawl’ and talk about how these two playwrights navigate themes of class, race, religion and patriarchy in their work.

Extract from ‘Moon on a Rainbow Shawl’ reproduced by permission of Peters Fraser & Dunlop (www.petersfraserdunlop.com) on behalf of the Estate of Errol John.

The clip used from Moon on a Rainbow Shawl was from a revival in 2012, produced by the National Theatre. It was directed by Michael Buffong, with Danny Sapani playing Ephraim, and Martina Laird playing Sophia (Mrs Adams).

Black Plays Archive website: https://www.blackplaysarchive.org.uk/

Contact National Theatre: [email protected]
Social: @nationaltheatre

References:
Errol John (1958) Moon on a Rainbow Shawl. London: Faber & Faber Ltd.

Barry Reckord (2011) For the Reckord: A Collection of Three Plays by Barry Reckord. London: Oberon Books.

Yvonne Brewster (2011) 'Introduction' in Barry Reckord, For the Reckord: A Collection of Three Plays by Barry Reckord. London: Oberon Books, pp.11-17

Mary Chamberlain, (Spring 1998) 'I Belong to Whoever Wants Me', New Formations: Frontlines/Backyards, No. 33, London: Lawrence & Wishart, pp.47-59.

Colin Chambers (2011) Black and Asian Theatre in Britain: A History. London & New York: Routledge.

Peter Fryer (1984) Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain. London: Pluto Press.

Lynette Goddard (4 Oct 2018) 'Migration stories in Errol John's Moon on a Rainbow Shawl', British Library.  Read here: https://www.bl.uk/20th-century-literature/articles/migration-stories-in-errol-johns-moon-on-a-rainbow-shawl

David Olusoga (2017) Black and British: A Forgotten History. London: Pan Books.

Michael Pearce (2017) Black British Drama: A Transnational Story. London: Routledge.