A Celebration of Black History

The Liverpool Playhouse

Reviewed by Colin Serjent

The Liverpool Playhouse recently staged a Community Showcase, featuring mainly young people, in celebration of Black History Month.
“It was a memorable occasion in which we helped recognise the achievements and skills of individuals, groups and organisations who have contributed to the rich and varied cultural life which Liverpool has to offer,” said a Black History Month spokesperson.
The poet and urban griot Levi Tafari, who is a great ambassador for the black community in Liverpool, opened the show with a selection of his perceptive and often witty writings.
An all female dance group ‘Dance Alive’ then produced an energetic and engaging performance in a piece called ‘The Journey’. Tracing the development of Jazz dance over the past 100 years, It was a homage to those involved in Jazz who had discovered, experimented and created this art form.
‘Homeland’ - performed by members of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Young People’s Theatre - explored the hopes, expectations and experiences - via drama and music - of people travelling from Jamaica to England in the early 1950s, who were often treated like lepers on their arrival to this country.
The props on stage although basic, nevertheless helped adequately to convey the message underlining the narrative of the story.
The events described were based on the actual experiences of people who came to Liverpool during that period.
The gospel group, ‘One Heart, One Voice Choir’, opening the second part of the show, worked well together, despite a few technical hitches with the sound equipment, in a rousing and joyous performance, including a fine version of ‘Lean on Me’ by Marvin Gaye.
An unusual theatre piece by Black Out Productions, themed around carnival and riot titled ‘Carnival 8’, also included music by Marvin Gaye, featured 12 youngsters, who finished their act, wearing colourful and eye catching costumes.
The Showcase ended on a dynamic note with Fade2 performing their own written music and choreographed dance routines, together with the ‘Rap Crew’ DANGER FORCE.
Fade2 and DANGER FORCE are part of the innovative Liverpool based POSITIVE IMPACT creative arts training project.
There were many excellent events during Black History month, too many to cover here but check out if you would like to contact the organisations involved.

Contact: www.liverpoolblackhistory.co.uk