2022
Sankofa – written by Nicole Acquah at Curve, Leicester
As part of the New Work Festival
Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, Sankofa is a semi-autobiographical show about legacy, heritage, and what it means to belong as part of the African diaspora, told through live music, storytelling and traditional pottery.
Saturday 12th March
https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/new-work-festivalsankofa/
Sankofa at Bread and Roses Theatre, Clapham
Bread and Roses Theatre, 15-19th February 2022
Written by Nicole Acquah
Directed by: Carol Leeming MBE
Produced & Stage Managed by: Tia Ray
Starring: Nicole Acquah, Doyin Ade, Vanessa Garber
Choreography by: Kwame Asafo-Adjei
Lighting design by: Kwame Asafo-Adjei
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Tickets here: https://www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk/whats-on.html
2021
‘I Can’t Breathe’ and ‘Today I’m Wiser’ Festival
Performing an extract from my play at ‘I Can’t Breathe’ festival at Tower Theatre and The Arcola Outside.
A combination of plays and performances exploring Black experiences during the pandemic, particularly in the light of George Floyd’s murder and the Black Lives Matter protests.
Curated by Landé Belo and directed by Landé Belo and Lyla Smith-Abass.
I can’t breathe – Arcola Theatre
I can’t breathe – The Tower Theatre
‘IN OUR IMAGE’ commissioned by Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
A new piece of theatre exploring AI and the racial bias in algorithms that affect our education and policing systems.
Commissioned for the Performing and Directing Text Options Unit for MA Advanced Theatre Practice.
Many thanks to Nick Wood and Ayse Tashkiran, and the M(f)AATP students for their stunning interpretations of the text!
BURNOUT commissioned by Shybairn Theatre @ Live Theatre, Newcastle – Playwright & Dramaturgy
Written by myself and devised by Shybairn Theatre (shybairntheatre.co.uk) BURNOUT is a show about climate activism, and asking why the movement doesn’t include those impacted the most.
BURNOUT had a two week R&D which took place at Live Theatre in 2021.
Kindly funded by Arts Council England and Live Theatre.
Photography by Tom Johnson ‘TJMOV’
‘TAME’ Research & Development @ Leeds Playhouse – Director/Facilitator
An ACE-funded R&D, led by Eleanor Manners, Senior Young People’s Officer at Leeds Playhouse.
Two weeks joyfully creating a show for young people, around the topic of natural afro-hair.
HOT IN HERE – Playwright/Dramaturg
Commissioned by pigfoot theatre, HOT IN HERE is a piece exploring climate change, and how it is disproportionately affecting people in the Global South and nearest the equator.
The show’s technology is powered by energy generated by the performers’ collective bodies, through an energy-harvesting dance-floor.
Commissioned as part of Camden People’s Theatre Outside the Box Season generously funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
2020
CASTE-ING at The Barbican – Playwright
An original play. A beatboxing musical seed-commissioned by Nouveau Riche and performed at The Barbican. Caste-ing is a play following the lives of Black actresses in the UK. An exciting blend of beatbox-gig theatre, spoken word and song.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2020/event/open-lab-showcase-caste-ing
She is a Place Called Home – VAULT Festival 2020 – Actor
“Jordan Noel and Nicole Acquah bring empathetic depth to their portrayals of differing ways of trying to survive trauma.”
2019
CASTE-ING at The Barbican – Playwright
Friday 4th October, 15:00 at The Pit
Playwriting commission by theatre company Nouveau Riche (https://www.nvrch.com/) in collaboration with The Barbican. We’ll be sharing the fruits of our R&D during the first week of October.
This piece explores the experiences of Black UK actresses, fusing beatboxing, spoken word, rap and theatre.
MUR/MER – Sadlers Wells – Actor/Dancer
Performing on the main stage at Sadlers Wells as part of the Danse Elargie international dance festival was an absolute blessing!
Choreography by Elsa Chene.
Review: Mur/Mer, dreamlike and impressionistic, stands out as an evening winner...
Way Back When @ Blue Elephant Theatre – Actor
Produced by Blue Elephant Theatre and written by Jacqui Livingstone.
Way Back When is children’s theatre that celebrates Afro-Caribbean storytelling. Playing 8 year old Alex was a pure delight! We took the show to several schools, a playpark and Blue Elephant theatre itself!
i stopped…when @ VAULT Festival – Acquah&co
A new piece of Slam Theatre exploring love, labels and interracial relationships.
Playwright: Nicole Acquah
Director: Dorcas A. Stevens
Cast: Nicole Acquah, Joseph Cullen, Lauren La Rocque, Tom Nguyen
i stopped…when recommended by Lyn Gardner in Stagedoor (linked here)
Our Anniversary
Short film exploring obsession and paralysed realities.
Role: Naomi (Lead)
In association with the University of Greenwich
Hiraeth
Short film exploring loss and family ties
Role: Solicitor
In association with the University of Greenwich
Heroines
Written by Nicole Acquah.
Commissioned by The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama under the title ‘Heroines’.
Heroines in Limbo
Written by Nicole Acquah.
Commissioned by The Heroine Chronicles Theatre Company.
Developed in association with Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre.
Heroines in Limbo is a satirical show that challenges what it means to be a heroine, and whether or not we can (or should) reconstruct the narratives of fictional heroines. It is currently being developed in collaboration with The Heroine Chronicles, The Tramshed and Sedgehill School in London.
INFOMANIA at MINIATURISTS: VAULT EDITION
My short play Infomania, was chosen to be part of The Miniaturists new writing night.
Directed by Simona Hughes.
2018
Ground Control – UK Tour – Performer
An interactive show for children, by non zero one.
Commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre Collaborative Touring Network (CTN). Touring to 8 regional festivals.
http://www.nonzeroone.com/projects/ground-control/
Hillsong Christmas Carols (O2 Wembley Arena) – Actor
THE PAPER TRAVELER
Excited to return and play Mrs A in The Paper Traveler by Marie Klimis.
ROLE: Actor
An interactive show, which brings stories to life in a sort of treasure hunt through libraries!
Kensington Central Library
30 October, 1 & 3 November 2018
Woolwich Centre Library
8 & 10 November 2018
Westminster Reference Library
21, 22, 23 & 24 November 2018
Tickets: £3 / £5 https://www.marieklimis.com/papertraveller
For a Black Girl at The Curve, Slough (16th October 2018)
For a Black Girl is BACK! We’ll be performing at a stylish arts space called The Curve Slough on 16th October, 2018.
Come join us!
Medusa at The Crypt Gallery
I’m working with powerhouse all-female theatre company, 27 degrees, to bring alive this tale about monsters, myths and womanhood.
“A contemporary take on a well-known tale, examining what it takes for women to be considered monsters.”
For a Black Girl – Written by Nicole Acquah (VAULT Festival)
I wrote a play called ‘For a Black Girl’. It’s a brutally honest exploration of the Black British experience in the UK.
For a Black Girl made the ‘Top 10 shows to see at VAULT’ as recommended by The Guardian. It was also listed in WhatsonStage and The Upcoming.
“A vital and vibrant show”
The Stage
4 STARS
“A cleverly written and passionately performed bombardment”
Theatre Bubble
4 STARS
“A flash of brilliance. The… show is brutal, honest and crafted with real skill.”
Miro Magazine
For a Black Girl (15th March, Camden People’s Theatre)
I wrote a semi-autobiographical play which explores the lives and experiences of BAME (particularly female BAME) citizens in the UK.
After a hugely successful run at London’s biggest arts festival, the show is now also part of SPRINT Festival 2018.
Come join us at Camden People’s Theatre this March! > https://www.cptheatre.co.uk/production/for-a-black-girl/
The play is being brought to life by This Is It Theatre Company. We’ve got some exciting venues lined up, so give us a follow on our twitter: For a Black Girl for further details!
N*gger – A One Woman Show
Omnibus Theatre
I’ll be performing in a fresh, new devised show exploring power and language, entitled ‘N*gger’ as part of Omnibus Theatre’s ‘Engine Room’ programme.
If you’re simply looking for a show which is vibrant, colourful and thought-provoking, this is the one for you! Please join me in a part scripted, part improvised show, tracking the N word from its origination to its current day usage.
Performer: Nicole Acquah
Director: Sammy O’Byrne
In collaboration with: Omnibus Theatre
Tickets and more info: https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/event/engine-room-12/
The Paper Traveller (2018) Wandsworth Arts Fringe
I’m performing in this show by theatre-maker and designer, Marie Klimis. Part of Wandsworth Fringe!
An exciting new piece of storytelling which is part theatre, part treasure hunt.
Come join us on:
Battersea Library: 5, 9, 12 & 16, May 2018
Walthamstow Library: 10 May 2018
Manor House Library: 13 & 15 May 2018
TICKETS HERE – https://www.marieklimis.com/papertraveller
Identity – Facilitated by Lulu Pollice (2017)
To be showcased at the BFI on 18th November 2017.
This was a project which joined a small group of facilitators, asylum seekers, and artists for a day of exploration, discussions on identity and expressing our home and cultures.
My role was as an artist and I was given one hour to create art based on the events of the day. I created a spoken word poem (combined with movement), which was filmed and will be showcased at BFI cinema 18th November 2017.
It was a very illuminating day, and above all else, enjoyable! It was great to meet people from all over the world, hear their stories and even share in some food together. When I can I will share the finished film with you.
Nicole Acquah 