Climate and community are two issues that are really resonating with young and old across the UK at the moment. And so, performer Elizabeth Ayodele’s new London theatre tour, couldn’t be more timely. This mobile and sustainably-made production from Boundless Theatre will be heading to the heart of communities, to take on some of today’s most pressing issues.
How To Save The Planet When You’re A Young Carer And Broke by multi-award-winning writer Nessah Muthy is a comic and slightly outrageous piece, brought to life by Ayodele. Working in partnership with schools, young carer groups, climate activists and community organisations, it’s an innovative and collaborative tour.
Get involved with the show
The company have joined with climate justice activist Daze Aghaji to empower young audiences, particularly those under-represented in the current climate movement, to find ways in which they can be climate activists in their own lives.
Directed by Stef O’Driscoll (A History of Water in the Middle East by Sabrina Mahfouz) it’s a provocative exploration of class, being a young carer, legacy and existence. The work responds directly to conversations from Boundless’ Advisory Group and community of 15-25-year-olds who are demanding urgent responses to the climate emergency.
As part of the tour, there’ll be pre-show parties, workshops and talks as well as special events. Before each performance, you’re invited to join the team for vegan pizza and live music. Plus, there’ll be a chance to help source props and make climate activism slogans to use in the show. At the end of the performance, you’ll then be invited to share climate actions and pass on messages to future audiences. So, it’s no ordinary show.
A play about class and climate
But what is the play about? It follows Lavisha Smith, a working class 14-year-old from the Roundshaw estate in Greater London. She’s raised by her mother Faith, who has recently been forced back to work despite her disabilities.
Lavisha is smart and her intelligence has landed her in a top local grammar school. But she’s struggling and lonely. She’s been side-lined by her old friends and is constantly clashing with more middle-class, climate-protesting peers at her new school. It’s not that she doesn’t get climate change, of course she does. And it terrifies her. But for Lavisha there are more immediate issues, like making sure Mum doesn’t faint again because her iron levels are so low.
The planet’s imploding, but so are so many parts of Lavisha’s own life. Can you really be working class and save the planet?
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When: 9th – 20th November 2021
Where: Touring to venues across London
£: Tickets cost £10 – £15 and are pay what you decide at community venues
More info: boundlesstheatre.org.uk