Meet the writers of Blaccine: First Dose

5th Dec 2022

When reports highlighted a low Covid-19 vaccine take up within the Black British community, it prompted conflicting feelings amongst Stockroom writers Tonderai, Maheni and Isaac.

Their creative result is three urgent monologues about being black in these pandemic times and the conversations needed to navigate the emerging narratives.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Stockroom present the Sound Stage audio premiere of Blaccine: First Dose, three new monologues which investigate the Black British community’s relationship with the Covid-19 vaccine in January 2023.

Hear from the Stockroom Artists writing Blaccine: First Dose

Maheni Arthur said…

“I’m so honoured to have been a part of the creation of Blaccine: First Dose; the writing process was challenging, upsetting, empowering, and healing all at once.

It’s a privilege to have had the opportunity to share my experiences as not only a Black person living in Britain but also as a Black woman, and to be a small voice in such a huge conversation.

I’m immensely proud of Tonderai for firstly calling this project to action, and of the three of us for being as vulnerable as we have been, never shying away from the uncomfortable and important truth that we’ve presented with this work.

This project is something we hold so close to our hearts, and my hope is that we can empower Black Britons to hold the same space we have for themselves, find strength within our shared stories, and to brave their own truths with us, however messy or uncertain they may be.”

“We know there will be laughter and tears as well as hope and strength.” – Tonderai

Tonderai Munyevu said…

“Working on “Blaccine: First Dose” has been an extraordinary experience.

Firstly, to join with Maheni and Isaac in looking closely at the issues that affect us, and people like us has been humbling. We feel seen and heard. Secondly, there is an urgent story Black Britain has to tell today, not easy story, in fact it is a testimony of hurt steeped in the long history of injustice directed at black people.

We feel emboldened to spread the truth we have discovered, in this radio project at first but at large in the theatre and any other means we can find.

We know there will be laughter and tears as well as hope and strength.”

 

“British Theatre needs plays like Blaccine… and I don’t think it’s ready for what’s about to drop.” – Isaac 

Isaac Tomiczek said…

“Blaccine feels like the start and completion of something beautiful.

Being able to write about subjects so close to my heart; my hometown, my community, my identity, my hopes, it definitely gave me a sense of closure after the uncertainty of the pandemic and its peak. However, the actual writing process and the research period felt like the start of an adventure with Tonderai Maheni and Pia, something we will all cherish and take an immense amount of strength from. Blaccine first dose represents a significant milestone.

It will be my first audio drama and every step of the process has felt like uncharted and beautiful territory for me as a writer and working-class kid from Brixton. I’m so grateful to Tonderai and Stockroom for their fearlessness and bravery to commit to something so provocative, innovative, and necessary.

British Theatre needs plays like Blaccine… and I don’t think it’s ready for what’s about to drop.”

Blaccine: First Dose will be broadcast on Sound Stage on Thursday 12, 19 & 26 January at 7pm.

For further information and to book tickets visit Blaccine: First Dose tickets

Discover more about the writers…

Maheni Arthur

Tonderai Munyevu

Isaac Tomiczek

Cast and Creatives for Blaccine: First Dose

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Stockroom present

Blaccine: First Dose

Three new monologues by Maheni Arthur,  Tonderai Munyevu and Isaac Tomiczek

Co-Directors: Tonderai Munyevu and Debbie Hannan

Sound Designer: Louis Blatherwick / Composer: Rina Mushonga

Sound Stage Executive Producer: Polly Thomas /Assistant Director: Fatima Serghini

Performed by Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer, Femi Tiwo and Stefan Adegbola

Find out more about Blaccine: First Dose

Featured images by Nigel R Glasgow