The Lives Of Black Inmates In The UK Examined In New Play At Theatro Technis

Acclaimed young playwright Carguil Lloyd George Webley brings his new play Shadows to Theatro Technis in London, exploring the lives of black inmates who have been placed in the same cell in a Birmingham prison. Bold with a fresh take on the problematic interplay of race, crime, family and culture in the United Kingdom, Webley's play stars David Monteith (Fences, Duchess Theatre; Play Mas, Orange Tree Theatre) and is produced by Squire Lane Theatrical.

Don't you realise our history's all we've got left. If they take that from us then what are we? Just a bunch of shadows they can walk all over...

Cultural baggage, trauma and family dysfunction have all played a part in the struggle of three inmates at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham. Edmund (David Monteith), the calm fatherly presence, who has been in and out of prison from an early age, tries to assert his dominance over the others through his knowledge of black history. Balak (Pharaon El-Nur) appears to be the most level-headed, a forthright secondary school History teacher, but can't to let go of his dark past. Chase (David Ogechukwu Isiguzo) is the youngest and has great potential, however refuses to listen to his voice of reason and puts himself at risk of losing everything he's worked for.

Carguil L. G. Webley performed with both the National Youth Theatre and Youth Music Theatre, and has written a series of stage plays, short films and web series, as well as facilitated drama and music workshops around the UK in conjunction with Mind charity, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Oxford Play House. He is currently working towards a MA in Creative Writing (Screenwriting & Playwriting) at City University of London.

Director Kevin Michael Reed is an award-winning, internationally published fashion photographer, producer and director from New York City, currently living in London. He is the founder and president of Squire Lane Endeavors and its subsidiaries Squire Lane Films and Squire Lane Theatrical. He produced the critically acclaimed productions of Reese Thompson's WHORE: A Kid's Play and Joy Donze: 13 & Not Pregnant at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Shadows stars David Monteith (Topdog/Underdog, Cop Killers and Benjamin Zephaniah's De Botty Business), who appears alongside David Ogechukwu Isiguzo (X & Y, Lyric Hammersmith; Transformers: The Last Knight) and Pharaon El-Nur (And Yet It Moves, Young Vic).

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