The
London Shakespeare Workout, LSW Prison Project, 
&
Gayle Hunnicutt, Chairman, LSW Executive Committee
proudly present
BLACK
ATLAS
"
LSW works at the highest level …. What is most impressive is
the commitment of the entire company
and its rare passion for language"
Michael
Billington, The Guardian
Inspired
by George McDonald Fraser's celebrated novel 'Black Ajax', BLACK
ATLAS,
an original work, tells the true story of Tom Molineaux – a slave from
America who died the first notable Black Prize-Fighter in Britain.
BLACK ATLAS celebrates the historic Bicentenary Anniversary in 2007 of
the Abolition of the Slave Trade by telling the true tale of two slaves:
One, William Richmond from Africa, is given the benefit of an
education in England; learning to read and write.
The other, Tom, isn’t.
The differences are plain for all to see. BLACK ATLAS spans three continents in 80 minutes and features an
original score (keyboard and cello) by noted composer Tim Williams,
including five songs.
BLACK ATLAS depicts key historic figures from Britain’s Regency
period (Tom Molineaux, Bill Richmond, George III, The Prince Regent,
Paddington Jones, Beau Brummel, Tom Cribb, Pierce Egan, etc.,) as well as many
colourful fictional characters including Captain Buck, himself based on the
historical character of Captain Butler, but used by MacDonald Fraser to
depict Flashman's father from his internationally famed series of novels
inspired by Tom Brown's Schooldays.
Dramatically shaped using LSW's unique developmental processes inside
and out of criminal justice regimes, BLACK ATLAS includes a healthy dose
of very real Regency slang, quotes Shakespeare and encompasses a wide
range of period songs. Performed by an all-male ensemble of
respected professional performers and ex-offenders, BLACK ATLAS is
directed by LSW’s Theatre World Award winning Executive Director, Dr.
Bruce Wall.
The
following support materials are currently available by clicking on the
relevant tab:
A
Brief Introduction to LSW
Reviews
on LSW's Direct Audience Impact
Production
Background on BLACK ATLAS
Venues,
Dates, Times for BLACK
ATLAS UK Tour
Press
Release for BLACK
ATLAS
A
Review of BLACK ATLAS
Cast
Biographies
for BLACK
ATLAS
BLACK
ATLAS Technical Specifications
BLACK
ATLAS
Brochure/Listing Blurb Suggestions
BLACK
ATLAS
Educational Workshop Information
A slice from the BLACK ATLAS Production Text
BLACK
ATLAS
Downloadable Image (762dpi / jpg)
A
Brief Introduction to LSW
Reviews
on LSW's Direct Audience Impact
All
BLACK ATLAS performances will be immediately followed by a
‘Talk Back’ wherein audience members have an opportunity to
their share views about the play and its contents as well as enjoying
additional original work (both poetry and music) on the theme of
Slavery.
In addition, specially devised
inter-active workshops that bring the concepts of slavery and its abolition alive through history and
literature will be offered for schools, colleges, community centres, prisons, etc.
LSW's famed 'Shakespeare Workouts' have also been made available.
BLACK
ATLAS
is touring throughout the UK
with Associated 'Slavery Themed' Workshops :
between 18th February and 5th April 2007
For
more information please contact
Dr. Bruce Wall
at LSW
Tel:
+44 (0)207 793 9755
E-Mail: blackatlastour
@europe.com:
Web: www.londonshakespeare.org.uk/Othello1/BAtour.htm
www.lswproductions.co.uk/BAtour.htm