Alex Chisholm Archives - North West End UK

Zodwa Nyoni talks about new musical Chisholm for President!

1Apr

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NEWS

Zodwa Nyoni talks about new musical Chisholm for President!

Chisholm for President! is a brand-new musical inspired by the remarkable journey of the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress, and who then dared to run for the Democratic nomination for President in 1972. Playwright Zodwa Nyoni has teamed up with Leeds based rapper Testament to develop a musical that traces Shirley Chisholm’s life as the daughter of immigrants who then battled racism and misogyny to win a seat in Congress. Chisholm was known for her advocacy on behalf of women, minorities, stood with the gay community, was way ahead of her time on environmental protections, fought against child poverty and was noted for her opposition to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Chisholm served in Congress for seven terms before passing away in 200...

New show Chisholm for President! celebrates the life of a civil rights legend

2Mar

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NEWS

New show Chisholm for President! celebrates the life of a civil rights legend

New soul/funk musical Chisholm for President! tells the inspiring story of the first Black woman to be elected to Congress and to run for the nomination of the President of the United States. Through live music and performance, it recalls the life of Shirley Chisholm who struggled against the political machine and made her trailblazing run for the Democratic US presidential nomination in 1972. Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazer as the first Black woman to be elected to Congress in 1968 and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, before making history as the first African American to make a serious bid for the Presidency of the United States of America in 1972. She was known for her advocacy on behalf of women and minorities, standing with the Gay co...

Bradford Opera Festival stage The Barber of Seville…but with a distinctive local twist

14Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Bradford Opera Festival stage The Barber of Seville…but with a distinctive local twist

The opening event of the newly created Bradford Opera Festival is the world premiere of a Yorkshire dialect version of The Barber of Seville. To make this happen the festival team have been working with legendary Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan and conductor Ben Crick, who has long had a dream to stage a version of Rossini’s classic tale of class, lust and betrayal performed in the local vernacular. Alex Chisholm who has been a stalwart of the Bradford artistic scene for many years is directing, and she told our Features Editor Paul Clarke why this festival will help democratise a misunderstood art form for local audiences. Of all the great operas, why did you choose The Barber of Seville? This really came from Ben, and he has had this dream for the last 20 years, so it's not just...

Nicole Joseph appointed new Associate Producer at Bradford’s Freedom Studios

29Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Nicole Joseph appointed new Associate Producer at Bradford’s Freedom Studios

Freedom Studios have announced that Nicole Joseph is the new Associate Producer at the Bradford based theatre company. Her recent credits include Assistant Producer at Slung Low including working on their Leeds People’s Theatre short film, The Good Book, Assistant Director on Leeds Playhouse's Oliver Twist and was Writer-Director of an extract of her play, Ghosts of Spirits, at Furnace Scratch. “I am thrilled to be joining Freedom Studios, a company I have admired and who celebrate and amplify Bradford’s stories, culture, artists and young artists in the making," says Nicole. "There will be so much to learn from Freedom Studios' brilliant team and leadership, and I am excited to get stuck in and nurture their creative output. "I am keen to grow and learn with this team and in...

Freedom Studios are looking for experienced Yorkshire writers for free playwriting course

31Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Freedom Studios are looking for experienced Yorkshire writers for free playwriting course

Bradford theatre company Freedom Studios are looking for experienced writers to join Street Voices 8, the company’s popular free six-month playwriting course. They want to support distinctive voices who can offer new perspectives, but have an ability to write, and the potential to develop their skills. They will work under the guidance of playwright and previous course graduate Zodwa Nyoni, who went on to write Boi Boi is Dead for Leeds Playhouse, Tiata Fahodzi, & Watford Palace Theatre. Freedom are looking for writers who may have been writing creatively in other forms and are looking to broaden their practice. All applicants must have a willingness to take risks, and try out new ideas, along with a commitment to attend all course dates, which will run from 10th October 2020 ti...