Back refreshed from my blog holiday in virtual Brazil - it was hot (I think!).
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| TJ being cool - getting the National Call? |
I was thrilled to see the post from TJ (Tendayi Jembere) on Facebook last night 'So its official you are looking at the next Romeo for the national theatre!'
What fantastic news for this talented young actor. TJ has been part of the Arc family for over 6 years and has performed in many of our shows. He was with us only last month on a London schools tour of Crossing Over by Clifford Oliver and I noticed how much he has developed as an actor over the years. Everyone at Arc is so proud of him and can't wait to see the show! Of course when we see our family of actors grow and take on new and exciting challenges its a wonderful thing.
Probably the most significant piece of work that TJ has been part of over the past four years is Boy X by Clifford Oliver. He was one of the original team (Troy Glasgow, Jordan Barrett, Lee Vassel) who came together to workshop ideas for the piece back in 2009. The show grew from this and Olly wrote one of our most enduring pieces which toured the country and indeed is back on the road in the autumn.
Boy X came out of the Arc stable because it was a piece of work that we all wanted and needed to make about the impact of murder on a young London community, the power of male friendship, the corruption and seduction of gangs and the untimely loss of so many young men. TJ played Zane, murdered as a revenge attack by another gang, and the play explores the emotional heart ripping of the aftermath of his death. Sadly we too often see such stories of shattered lives.
It a great joy and no surprise to me that TJ will carry his emotional understanding and experience of life in inner city London to bring a freshness and new resonance to Romeo in the ultimate and universal gang story. The depth and fragility of young mens lives sits under the surface of pride, bravado and sex. I so look forward to seeing this iteration.
Here's a glimpse of TJ in action with Jordan, Michael and Lee in the 2009 Boy X trailer.
Bring it on!
Have a lovely Easter
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