BBC Radio 4 to showcase three audio dramas by Talawa Theatre Company

Talawa Theatre Company has joined forces with BBC Radio 4 to showcase three new audio dramas, which have been produced by rising talents. The audio dramas have been written by three promising young writers in Sian Davila, Charles Entsie and Roberta Livingston, and will be broadcast from 7 May 2021.

Talawa Theatre Company are the UK’s leading Black British theatre company and the broadcasts will coincide with their 35th anniversary. The dramas will be bought to life by some of Britain’s finest actors: Sharon D Clarke, Don Gilet, Jocelyn Jee Esien, Lydia West, Don Warrington and Alfred Enoch.

Sian Davila’s script, Running with Lions, tells the story of a British-Caribbean family whom a death challenges and they each experience a unique reaction to the loss. Charles Entsie’s piece is titled NSA and tackles sexuality and identity; then Roberta Livingston offers a comedic exploration of class and gender in Precious Little Things.

Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company, Michael Buffong, said: “In its 35 years, Talawa Theatre Company has consistently worked with writers to develop new stories. With these three stories, Talawa’s commitment to broadening and enriching the canon of British playwriting takes us in new directions. We are the UK’s outstanding Black theatre company for a reason; the quality of our artists’ work. And to be able to share that on Radio 4 is a delight.”

Running with Lions will air on Friday 7 May 2021 at 2.15pm – 2.45pm, NSA will air the following week on Friday 14 May at 2.15pm, and Precious Little Thing finishes the series on Friday 21 May again at 2.15pm.