Sucker Punch by Roy Williams hits home on race, boxing and black male identity, but falls short on its only female character, claims Joy Francis.
Daniel Kaluuya, currently wowing audiences (and critics) as Leon in Sucker Punch at the Royal Court, is soon to be seen in Johnny English 2 with Rowan Atkinson. Joy Francis is well and truly charmed.
Broadcaster, DJ, journalist, composer and Artistic Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East Matthew Xia makes Kwame Kwei-Armah look lazy. Read why.
Maxine Quintyne-Kolaru, who is over halfway through her Royal Court Super Group, survives the infamous ‘Lock In’, sees her play performed at Soho Theatre and wonders what next.
Welcome to our new slot highlighting what you missed on the arts social scene featuring The Noisettes, BAFTA and James Purefoy.
February 2007
Sexual Attraction Revealed
By Words of Colour co-founder Nicole Moore
Sexual Attraction Revealed: A Preview of Shangwe’s second title due to be published in April 2007.
This anthology of poetry and autobiographical writing is eclectic and revelatory. The 19 authors are black and mixed-race women ranging from their early twenties to early fifties, living in the UK, offering us an insight into their distinct and diverse creative writing perspectives.
My aims were clearly and simply to discover new and diverse talent, ensure representation and to promote poetry and autobiographical writing of black and mixed-race women from African and African-Caribbean backgrounds. The writers tell their narratives, presenting their views in passionate, intelligent, humorous, strong, reflective and spiritual voices, some unheard; some previously published in the first anthology Brown Eyes.
The book is divided into two sections: Sugar and Spice, which includes a collection of thirty poems and six essays on the themes of sexual attraction, in particular, whether race, culture, identity, ethnicity and heritage play a part in sexual attraction and whether these factors are important or not. From losing your virginity, one night stands, other women and unconventional relationships to love at first sight; this is a must read.
The second section Joy and Pain includes a collection of 15 poems and four essays on the themes related to the many aspects and layers of motherhood. Both the Sugar and Spice and Joy and Pain sections are intrinsically linked and complement each other.
Sexual Attraction Revealed offers a fresh and revealing insight into the lives of black and mixed-race women in 21st century Britain. This Shangwe produced 2nd anthology will provide a showcase for today’s black and mixed-race writers; a permanent record of diverse creativity for today and tomorrow.
Just to give you a little taster here are three poems from the Sugar and Spice section: Meet Me in that Place by Karen Plumb, One Night Stand by Nicola Greenwood and The Succulence of Fruit by Louise Hercules.
Mesha McNeil expresses her dismay with the recent general election’s poor comparison to American politics and demands more engagement with young people.
