Actor, rapper, singer and rising star Kema Sikazwe (I, Daniel Blake), also known as Kema Kay, will make his stage debut this month in Shine.
Premiering at Live Theatre in Newcastle, before transferring to the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, this world premiere is written and performed by Sikazwe and features seven new songs written specially for the show.
Shine, named after the writer whose name means ‘one who shines’ in one of the Zambian languages, mixes Sikazwe’s own bittersweet story with a live soundtrack and heartfelt words. Through his words, songs and stories, this multi-disciplinary production explores growing up in a world that doesn’t always accept you, while learning to gain self-belief and to always trust your head and your heart.
Sikazwe was three years old when his family moved from Zambia to Newcastle’s West End. This coming of age story follows a family immersed in new surroundings, and what happens when that new life begins to fall apart. Shine asks what makes us who we are and whether the choices in our lives determine who we become: are we in control of our own story or is it in our DNA?
In addition to the run of performances at Live Theatre, there is the opportunity to meet writer and performer Kema Sikazwe, in a free post-show talk on Tuesday 7th May. There will also be two free preshow events on Saturday 4th and Saturday 11th May, which will showcase work by local musicians and performers.
When: 2nd – 11th May (Newcastle) and 16th – 18th May (Edinburgh) 2019
Where: Live Theatre, Newcastle and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
£: Tickets cost £6 – £15
More info: www.live.org.uk and www.traverse.co.uk
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