The Spalding Suite is a new physical theatre show that combines original poetry with contemporary movement to explore the elegance and beauty of basketball.
Seen from a British perspective, The Spalding Suite gets to the heart and soul of the gravity-defying game and delves into the hopes and dreams of those who play it, and the friendship and camaraderie behind the sport.
Conceived and written by spoken word artist and theatre-maker Inua Ellams, The Spalding Suite is inspired by the poetry of Nick Makoha, Bohdan Piasecki and Roger Robinson, with poems from Jacob Sam-La Rose and Nii Parkes. The show is directed by award-winning director Benji Reid.
UK Beatboxing Champion and World Finalist MC Zani will perform live in the show.
The rest of the cast comprises Emmanuel Akwafo, whose credits include Forever, Cuckoo at the Bush Theatre, KM Drew Boateng who most recently appeared in new urban musical The Realness at Hackney Downs Studios, George Bray who performed in Aladdin at the Cast Theatre in Doncaster, Marcquelle Ward who recently appeared in E4 drama Banana, and Jason York who featured in 5’s a Crowd at Hackney Empire.
Together they will mix basketball inspired movement and poetry to explore UK basketball culture.
The production is designed by Ti Green with music by Eric Lau, and vocal sound design and beatboxing by MC Zani.
Lighting is by Benji Reid and Lee Grey.
The Spalding Suite is commissioned by Southbank Centre and Contact and produced by Fuel and funded by Arts Council England and a Wellcome Trust Arts Award.
29 April – 2 May
World Premiere
Press Performance 30 April
Southbank Centre, London
Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Box Office: 0844 875 0073
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
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